Population 20,330 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Northwest
Household size in Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.56 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.64 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.65 | 2.63 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.52 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Northwest are small: just 1.52 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 1.56, in line with the national trend. Of Portland's 64 neighborhoods, only five have smaller households.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.2 | 37.3 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.2 | 38.3 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.2 | 39.3 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.9 | 41.0 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +3.7 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Northwest is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.9, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.2, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the southeast and oldest in the west.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.3% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.1% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 9.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 2.8% of households in Northwest, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Portland's 64 neighborhoods, only four have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Northwest
Renters in Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.3% | 36.6% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 76.4% | 39.1% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 75.7% | 37.6% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 79.2% | 38.3% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +1.7 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Northwest rent: 79.2% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 30.1% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 2.9 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 7.4% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 6.8% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.3% | 6.1% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 7.1% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Northwest is close to the national rate: 9.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in the wider Portland area (7.1%). Northwest has a higher vacancy rate than at least four in five Portland neighborhoods.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1948 | 1977 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1951 | 1978 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1962 | 1980 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1966 | 1981 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +18 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Northwest is a place of older homes: half were built before 1966, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1948 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northeast, the oldest in the center.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $824 | $961 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,000 | $1,105 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,322 | $1,374 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,663 | $1,794 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$839 | +$833 | +$731 | +$606 |
The median renter in Northwest pays $1,663 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are lower than in the Portland area as a whole ($1,794). Rents are up $839 a month from 2006–10, a 102% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 31.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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 Northwest
Bachelor's degrees in Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 65.0% | 33.3% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 66.7% | 34.5% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 69.7% | 39.2% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 68.8% | 42.6% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Northwest: 68.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 3.8 points, mirroring the country.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.9% | 90.0% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.4% | 90.6% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.1% | 91.9% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.9% | 93.2% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Northwest: 96.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Northwest has a higher share of high school graduates than most Portland neighborhoods.
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 Northwest
| Period | Northwest | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 8.6% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 9.6% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.5% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −4.0 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Northwest is close to the national rate: 5.5% 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 3.3 points, mirroring the country.
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).
Northwest compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | 1.52 | 36.9 | 2.8% | 79.2% | 9.2% | 1966 | $1,663 | 68.8% | 96.9% | 5.5% |
| Slabtown | 1.42 | 33.6 | 1.7% | 85.6% | 8.0% | 2003 | $1,796 | 69.6% | 99.1% | 9.8% |
| Pearl District | 1.46 | 40.2 | 3.1% | 72.9% | 14.1% | 2007 | $1,812 | 75.3% | 99.4% | 3.6% |
| Old Town-Chinatown | 1.45 | 42.1 | 1.4% | 91.9% | 19.7% | 1984 | $1,119 | 36.9% | 87.7% | 10.5% |
| University District | 1.41 | 40.1 | 2.8% | 84.8% | 12.2% | 1987 | $1,399 | 53.1% | 92.1% | 7.9% |
| Southwest Hills | 2.28 | 42.7 | 6.4% | 28.0% | 6.8% | 1956 | $1,750 | 83.8% | 99.8% | 3.6% |
| Eliot | 1.69 | 37.1 | 11.6% | 79.3% | 6.6% | 1989 | $1,674 | 58.2% | 97.3% | 5.9% |
| Homestead | 1.84 | 38.1 | 8.0% | 65.2% | 7.7% | 1966 | $1,632 | 75.9% | 97.9% | 0.8% |
| Overlook | 2.19 | 38.6 | 5.8% | 40.5% | 5.3% | 1952 | $1,907 | 67.4% | 96.8% | 3.3% |
| Boise | 1.85 | 36.1 | 8.6% | 68.9% | 8.3% | 1969 | $1,661 | 63.7% | 93.5% | 8.0% |
| Irvington | 1.94 | 39.5 | 4.9% | 58.8% | 8.3% | 1959 | $2,042 | 70.0% | 98.9% | 6.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St Louis, Honolulu, HI · Chevy Chase, Washington, DC · Bassett, West Puente Valley, CA · Bay Terraces, San Diego, CA · Summerdale, Philadelphia, PA · Central, Tacoma, WA · West Central, Pasadena, CA · Central, Boston, MA · Camp Pendleton South, Oceanside, CA · Central Arlington, Arlington, TX
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 Northwest. 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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