Population 801,477 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Multnomah County
Household size in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.38 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.46 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.63 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.34 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Multnomah County is a place of small households, averaging 2.34 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.38 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.7 | 37.3 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.6 | 38.3 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.3 | 39.3 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 39.4 | 41.0 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.8 | +3.7 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
At 39.4, the median age in Multnomah County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in the Portland area overall, where the median age is 41.0. The median age has climbed from 36.7 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.5% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.2% | 9.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Multnomah County (10.2%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. That is in line with the rest of the Portland area.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Multnomah County
Renters in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8% | 36.6% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 46.3% | 39.1% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.5% | 37.6% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 46.6% | 38.3% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +1.7 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Multnomah County than nationally: 46.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 29.4% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Oregon county has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.7% | 7.4% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 6.8% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 6.1% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 7.1% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Multnomah County than nationally: 6.7%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The picture is much the same across the Portland area. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.1 points, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1977 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1964 | 1978 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1980 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1981 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Multnomah County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1969, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1963 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the north has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $921 | $961 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,065 | $1,105 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,339 | $1,374 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,755 | $1,794 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$834 | +$833 | +$731 | +$606 |
The median renter in Multnomah County pays $1,755 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $834 a month since 2006–10, up 91%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 33.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the north; the most affordable are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Multnomah County
Bachelor's degrees in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.0% | 33.3% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 39.7% | 34.5% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.7% | 39.2% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.6% | 42.6% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Multnomah County is highly educated: nearly half of adults 25 and older (47.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 10.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only two of Oregon's 36 counties have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 88.8% | 90.0% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.9% | 90.6% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.1% | 91.9% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.9% | 93.2% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Multnomah County is a bit above the national rate: 91.9% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of the Portland area. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.1 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Multnomah County
| Period | Multnomah County | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 8.6% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 9.6% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −4.0 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Multnomah County is close to the national rate: 5.6% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in the wider Portland area (4.6%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.4 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Multnomah County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multnomah County | 2.34 | 39.4 | 10.2% | 46.6% | 6.7% | 1969 | $1,755 | 47.6% | 91.9% | 5.6% |
| Clark County | 2.69 | 39.7 | 10.5% | 33.6% | 5.3% | 1992 | $1,937 | 33.0% | 92.4% | 5.1% |
| Washington County | 2.62 | 39.2 | 9.4% | 39.2% | 4.4% | 1989 | $1,997 | 47.6% | 92.6% | 4.4% |
| Skamania County | 2.50 | 48.8 | 7.9% | 20.0% | 10.0% | 1985 | $1,067 | 29.9% | 93.6% | 5.5% |
| Hood River County | 2.65 | 41.7 | 9.7% | 30.6% | 14.8% | 1983 | $1,545 | 41.8% | 87.1% | 3.5% |
| Tillamook County | 2.26 | 49.4 | 11.2% | 25.7% | 30.0% | 1978 | $1,263 | 26.9% | 90.5% | 4.8% |
| Wasco County | 2.41 | 43.2 | 8.7% | 32.5% | 12.6% | 1970 | $1,125 | 22.0% | 85.7% | 8.0% |
| Sherman County | 2.40 | 43.8 | 9.4% | 34.1% | 17.0% | 1960 | $1,021 | 16.0% | 91.1% | 0.9% |
| Gilliam County | 2.25 | 50.7 | 5.9% | 25.9% | 20.3% | 1971 | $1,174 | 20.6% | 88.3% | 2.6% |
| Wallowa County | 2.22 | 49.3 | 8.5% | 27.5% | 21.5% | 1970 | $1,127 | 38.7% | 93.9% | 3.7% |
| Madison County | 2.44 | 50.6 | 2.5% | 19.0% | 37.0% | 1995 | $1,165 | 32.7% | 93.6% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Kern County, CA · Polk County, FL · Lee County, FL · Macomb County, MI · Middlesex County, NJ · Monroe County, NY · Montgomery County, PA · New Haven County, CT · Norfolk County, MA · Worcester County, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Multnomah County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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