According to the Census Bureau, Oregon saw a net increase of 8080 new migrations into the state in 2021, the 22nd largest increase in the nation.

Population growth is affected by births, deaths, and migration. This past year, Oregon experienced 2,210 more deaths than births, leaving population growth entirely by net migration of new residents.

If Oregon hadn’t been sandwiched in between California losing 367,299 and Washington losing 29, Oregon would also be on the losing end.

Realtors indicate Californians coming from a higher median income drive up home prices with their means to out-buy local Oregonians.

Idaho was also on the receiving end of 48,876 migrations.

Approximately 25,000 new residents moved into Oregon, meaning 16,920 moved out. A Portland State University study authorized by ORS 190.540 claims the slowed migration on the pandemic. More than the pandemic are the contributing factors – mandates closing some businesses, and now mandates limit who can work. All the effects of the pandemic on businesses and population growth are a direct result of the government response to the pandemic

. Counties showing the largest increase are where universities are located. Although the prior academic year showed a decline, in 2020- 2021, 206.095 students attended Oregon colleges. Many of the 28,533 who came for an advanced program will make Oregon their home, but undergraduates, not so much.

During the last year, eight counties lost significant numbers of housing units from wildfires during September, 2020. More than 2,300 homes were destroyed in Jackson County, while Marion County and Lane County had more than 500 destroyed homes in each. Douglas, Klamath, Lincoln, and Linn counties also had housing losses attributable to wildfires. State and federal support were provided for residential and commercial to rebuild, which appears not to have impacted net populations.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

However, an unusual dynamic for relocation due to safety can be attributed to violent protestors. Oregon is 10th in the nation for homicides. Portland has seen a decline in growth but still a net increase.

A decline in condo sales goes back prior to the pandemic, which seems to point to the protests becoming violent. Crime is up by around a thousand per month over the previous year, which indicates a continued decline.

Businesses have been rumored to leave the state since Governor Brown took office. The tax issues prompt more businesses to leave each legislative session. It started with Measure 66 and 67, then the CAT tax, and increasing costs with automatic adjustment in minimum wage and costs for family and medical leave. Senator James Manning Jr. (D-Eugene) said in 2019 in the argument that the state’s top income earners will leave the state if their taxes are raised. “I say leave the state,” he said. “Somebody else will come in. I get so sick and tired of hearing that.”

Downtown Portland businesses left when the city refused to clean the streets of needles and garbage even before the riots, which made it worse. When those arrested were released, six businesses permanently closed their doors that started a domino effect. During the holidays pop-up shops and food trucks struggled for lack of office workers and tourists down town to support them. They also site the ongoing crime and common place vandalism to buildings and cars. City leaders encourage support of new businesses, but without the engagement of enforcement officers, these new shops are skeptical whether they will continue after the holidays.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-12-27 19:25:07

Last Update: 2021-12-27 19:52:08