Portland East
RANK #699 / 996 NAT · #12 / 18 OR · POP 808,098
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Multnomah County, Oregon, is perhaps best known for Multnomah Falls, a striking 620-foot waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge that draws over two million visitors annually. Located in northwestern Oregon, the county encompasses Portland, the state's largest city, and extends eastward along the Columbia River. Commuting within the county is facilitated by TriMet's extensive bus and MAX light rail system, which connects Portland City Center with various communities and employment hubs. The region boasts abundant outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails in Forest Park and Mount Tabor, and water activities on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. The county's natural amenities, including lush forests and dramatic waterfalls, contribute to its appeal.
Life in Multnomah County offers a mix of urban and suburban experiences, with communities like Gresham providing a suburban feel with access to urban amenities. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While the county has faced recent challenges with job losses in some sectors, particularly between 2019 and 2024, there is a focus on workforce training and social programs to support economic development. The economy is diversifying, with ongoing activity in shipping and export due to its Columbia River location, and growth in manufacturing, especially in sports apparel and electronics.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fairview Energy Project (Battery Storage)
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Seaside Battery Energy Storage System
Portland General Electric (PGE)
|
$200M | Completed |
|
Sundial (Troutdale) Battery Energy Storage System
NextEra Energy Resources (operated for PGE)
|
$200M | Completed |
|
Earthquake-Ready Burnside Bridge Project
Multnomah County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
New Construction Residential Developments (Combined)
Various
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 29/100, Multnomah County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $83,668 combined with job growth of -1.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Multnomah County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $492,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,515/month on average.
Multnomah County's job market is contracting (-1.6% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.2% change). Home values are -1.2% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.92% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Multnomah County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.