Demographics
Portland is the 27th largest metro area by population in the U.S. The population growth averages about 2.3 percent annually, significantly above the national average of 0.9 percent. Focus Portland is located in Washington County, one of three counties which covers the Portland metro area. Washington County was the fastest growing county over the last ten years, averaging 43 percent growth.
Metropolitan Population: 1.8 million
| Caucasian | 84% |
| Asian | 5% |
| African-American | 3% |
| Hispanic-Heritage | 7% |
| Under 18 years of age | 25% |
| 18-24 years of age | 9% |
| 25-44 years of age | 32% |
| 45-64 years of age | 23% |
| 65+ years of age | 10% |
Local Businesses
The Portland area is home to more than 50,000 businesses, of which approximately 2,400 are classified as headquarters firms. The top companies in Portland and Beaverton include:
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NIKE, Inc., Athletic footwear/apparel
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Intel, Microcomputer components, modules and systems
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Xerox/Tektronix, Color printing/video systems
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Hewlett Packard, Computers/printers
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Fred Meyer, Retail Merchandising
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PacifiCorp, Electric/energy services
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Willamette Industries, Forest products
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U.S. Bank of Oregon, Banking and holding company
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Oregon Health Sciences University, Education/research/patient care
Employment
Over the last 15 years, Portland has experienced strong growth in professional, technical and managerial occupations. Professional and technical occupations, the second-largest major occupational group, are expected to generate an increase of nearly 42,000 jobs in the next decade.
| Services | 29% |
| Trade | 25% |
| Manufacturing | 15% |
| Government | 12% |
| White-collar labor | 57% |
| Blue-collar labor | 26% |
| Executive/Management | 13% |
| Professional/Technical | 13% |
| Service | 12% |
Source: Portland Chamber; U.S. Dept. of Labor Statistics Portland-Salem; 2000 U.S. Bureau of Census
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