Population 11,744 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of University District: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in University District
Household size in University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1.35 | 2.57 | 2.50 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.50 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 1.61 | 2.63 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.41 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.06 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in University District are small: just 1.41 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. Household size has crept up from 1.35 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. University District has the smallest households of any Portland neighborhood.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.2 | 37.3 | 39.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.9 | 38.3 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.3 | 39.3 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.1 | 41.0 | 41.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.8 | +3.7 | +2.5 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in University District are younger than 40.1 and half are older, the same as the national median. The median age has crept up from 39.2 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the southwest and oldest in the northwest.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.3% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 1.8% | 10.3% | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 2.1% | 9.4% | 9.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 9.5% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 2.8% of households in University District, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Few Portland neighborhoods have a lower share of single-parent households: only three of 64.
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 University District
Renters in University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.3% | 36.6% | 36.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 83.4% | 39.1% | 38.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 84.0% | 37.6% | 37.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 84.8% | 38.3% | 36.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +1.7 pts | +0.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in University District rent: 84.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Nearly six in ten owners (56.6%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 2.5 points, mirroring the country.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 7.4% | 8.9% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 6.8% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 6.1% | 8.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.2% | 7.1% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
A few more homes sit empty in University District than nationally: 12.2%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1977 | 1976 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1978 | 1977 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1980 | 1978 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1981 | 1981 | 1980 |
| Change | +16 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in University District is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1970 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. University District has newer homes than at least four in five Portland neighborhoods.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $819 | $961 | $870 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $964 | $1,105 | $982 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,243 | $1,374 | $1,183 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,399 | $1,794 | $1,601 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$580 | +$833 | +$731 | +$606 |
Rent in University District runs $1,399 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $580 a month from 2006–10, a 71% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 33.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other Portland neighborhood has lower rents.
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 University District
Bachelor's degrees in University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.3% | 33.3% | 29.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 59.3% | 34.5% | 30.2% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 52.1% | 39.2% | 33.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 53.1% | 42.6% | 36.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in University District: 53.1% 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. The share with a degree has fallen 2.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.5% | 90.0% | 88.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.4% | 90.6% | 89.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.0% | 91.9% | 90.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.1% | 93.2% | 91.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in University District is a bit above the national rate: 92.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of the Portland area. The share with a diploma is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate rose.
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 University District
| Period | University District | Portland area | Oregon | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 8.6% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 17.7% | 9.6% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 4.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.7 pts | −4.0 pts | −3.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in University District runs well above the national rate: 7.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 7.7 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
University District 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University District | 1.41 | 40.1 | 2.8% | 84.8% | 12.2% | 1987 | $1,399 | 53.1% | 92.1% | 7.9% |
| Old Town-Chinatown | 1.45 | 42.1 | 1.4% | 91.9% | 19.7% | 1984 | $1,119 | 36.9% | 87.7% | 10.5% |
| Homestead | 1.84 | 38.1 | 8.0% | 65.2% | 7.7% | 1966 | $1,632 | 75.9% | 97.9% | 0.8% |
| Pearl District | 1.46 | 40.2 | 3.1% | 72.9% | 14.1% | 2007 | $1,812 | 75.3% | 99.4% | 3.6% |
| Northwest | 1.52 | 36.9 | 2.8% | 79.2% | 9.2% | 1966 | $1,663 | 68.8% | 96.9% | 5.5% |
| Southwest Hills | 2.28 | 42.7 | 6.4% | 28.0% | 6.8% | 1956 | $1,750 | 83.8% | 99.8% | 3.6% |
| Slabtown | 1.42 | 33.6 | 1.7% | 85.6% | 8.0% | 2003 | $1,796 | 69.6% | 99.1% | 9.8% |
| Buckman | 1.53 | 34.9 | 2.0% | 85.5% | 6.8% | 1969 | $1,594 | 62.4% | 98.8% | 5.9% |
| Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill | 1.79 | 42.1 | 8.1% | 59.4% | 9.7% | 1994 | $1,936 | 75.9% | 99.4% | 4.9% |
| Hosford-Abernethy | 2.09 | 39.5 | 4.4% | 51.4% | 9.1% | 1944 | $1,785 | 66.1% | 99.5% | 9.0% |
| Brooklyn | 2.16 | 37.1 | 5.8% | 58.3% | 4.6% | 1958 | $1,528 | 55.7% | 93.8% | 12.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Beresford, San Mateo, CA · South Central Westminster, Westminster, CO · Olympic Hills, Seattle, WA · Milwood, Austin, TX · Hough, Cleveland, OH · Airport-Pines Road, Shreveport, LA · Cathedral Park, Portland, OR · Copperfield, Houston, TX · Mondawin-Walbrook, Baltimore, MD · Yorkshire, Charlotte, NC
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 University District. 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.