Population 10,258 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Portland
Household size in Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.70 | 2.69 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.70 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.69 | 2.69 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.52 | 2.66 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.18 | −0.03 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Portland run a little small, averaging 2.52 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.70 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.1 | 36.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.7 | 37.2 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.2 | 37.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.1 | 38.3 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.0 | +2.3 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
Portland is younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 36.1, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 37.1, even as the national median rose. Only 28 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 11.0% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 10.9% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 10.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 9.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Portland: 8.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 1.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Portland
Renters in Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.4% | 24.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.7% | 26.9% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.9% | 26.6% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.5% | 25.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +0.7 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.5% of households in Portland rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 43.3% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 5.1 points, a much bigger shift than 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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.3% | 9.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 8.8% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.9% | 7.1% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.5% | 6.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 4.5% of homes in Portland are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has edged down 0.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Portland has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Michigan cities.
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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1974 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1976 | 1974 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1976 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1973 | 1978 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +5 | +3 | +6 |
Housing in Portland leans older: the median home dates to 1973, against 1980 nationally. The newest homes are mostly in the south, 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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $717 | $800 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $774 | $848 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $887 | $950 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,074 | $1,285 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$356 | +$485 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Portland costs $1,074 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $356 a month from 2006–10, a 50% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 23.9% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the northeast.
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 Portland
Bachelor's degrees in Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 27.1% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.3% | 29.1% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.7% | 31.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.6% | 36.9% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +9.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Portland than nationally: 27.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.9 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the center.
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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.3% | 88.5% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.4% | 89.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.8% | 91.0% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 92.2% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | +3.7 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Portland: 96.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Portland
| Period | Portland | Grand Rapids area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 9.2% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 9.0% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.1% | 4.2% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.3% | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.4 pts | −5.3 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Portland has been low: just 2.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 26 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 6.4 points from 2006–10, 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).
Portland compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 2.52 | 36.1 | 8.2% | 22.5% | 4.5% | 1973 | $1,074 | 27.6% | 96.2% | 2.3% |
| Lyons | 2.71 | 40.9 | 10.6% | 19.3% | 9.1% | 1970 | $1,008 | 21.4% | 91.2% | 8.1% |
| Westphalia | 2.81 | 34.5 | 5.3% | 7.9% | 1.3% | 1973 | $750 | 33.4% | 94.1% | 3.0% |
| West Sebewa | 3.10 | 35.0 | 7.7% | 15.8% | 7.0% | 1971 | $1,212 | 16.7% | 94.6% | 3.5% |
| Eagle | 2.67 | 38.8 | 10.7% | 5.5% | 2.5% | 1979 | $1,237 | 27.5% | 95.3% | 1.3% |
| Mulliken | 2.57 | 43.6 | 5.2% | 8.7% | 3.1% | 1962 | $1,074 | 31.2% | 94.9% | 2.4% |
| Sunfield | 2.71 | 41.3 | 5.9% | 17.3% | 5.3% | 1972 | $1,059 | 17.5% | 91.6% | 5.3% |
| Little Venice | 2.43 | 43.8 | 5.5% | 15.1% | 3.0% | 1960 | $1,075 | 21.3% | 94.3% | 2.1% |
| Tremaine Corners | 2.69 | 38.2 | 13.2% | 31.5% | 3.9% | 1987 | $1,357 | 18.4% | 95.0% | 2.7% |
| Pewamo | 3.27 | 34.3 | 5.1% | 9.1% | 1.0% | 1977 | $1,030 | 29.3% | 90.3% | 1.0% |
| Smyrna | 2.57 | 38.1 | 16.6% | 34.8% | 4.4% | 1991 | $1,380 | 14.8% | 94.2% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Cross Lanes, WV · Clyde, NC · Clyde, OH · Coarsegold, CA · Cochran, GA · Coffeyville, KS · Colbert, WA · College Place, WA · Collegedale, TN · Colts Neck, NJ
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 Portland. 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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