Chapter 1: Overview—A review of basic facts and figures about Portland
This section looks at some of the broadest types of changes that Portland has experienced since 1980. Many of these changes are explored in more depth in other parts of this web site.
City Size and Population
Between 1980 and 2004, annexations brought almost 23,000 acres into the city. During that time, Portland population increased by about 156,800 residents.
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1980
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1990
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Current (2004) **
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Total area (in acres)
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69,682
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92,620
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92,649
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Total population
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368,148
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437,319
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524,944
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Housing units
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175,918
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198,368
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246,941
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People per acre
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5.28
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4.72
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5.67
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Units per acre
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2.53
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2.14
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2.67
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Value of total property
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$63.9 billion
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** 2004 = ACS estimates
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[Click on map to enlarge or download]
Jobs
In 2000, Portland had about 295,600 jobs. Between 1980 and 2004, Portland experienced two recessions.
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Portland Unemployment Rate
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1980 – 6.3%
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1990 – 4.4%
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2004 – 8.1%
By 2005, unemployment in the Portland metropolitan area had decreased to 4.9%.
Buying Power
Based on the Consumer Price Index, something that cost $1,000 in 1980 would now cost about $2,400.
LINKS
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Portland History Timeline, developed by the City Auditor’s Office, chronicles events and actions in the history of city government and the Portland community. It provides a sense of the major changes that have affected Portland, since its founding.
QUESTIONS
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How can the Comp Plan best guide the city through future changes — both anticipated and not?