Oregon metro area populations, 2006 Census estimates (Portland, Eugene: gated, showing, health)

[tablemtn]

It's kind of interesting to see how populations have changed from 2000 to 2006. Remember, a lot of that time, Oregon was in an economic slump.

Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA - 2,137,565 (2006 est.); 1,927,881 (2000); +10.88%

Salem, OR - 384,600 (2006 est.); 347,214 (2000); +10.77%

Eugene-Springfield, OR - 337,870 (2006 est.); 322,959 (2000); +4.62%

Medford, OR - 197,071 (2006 est.); 181,269 (2000); +8.72%

Albany-Corvallis-Lebanon, OR - 190,550 (2006 est.); 181,222 (2000); +5.15%

Bend-Prineville, OR - 172,081 (2006 est.); 134,549 (2000); +27.89%

I expect the Salem and Portland areas to be aggregated into the same metro area eventually. The northern I-5 corridor still has some of the strongest growth potential in the state. Bend's growth has been absolutely explosive; we'll see how long that lasts with the similarly exploding home prices over there.

[Larry Caldwell]

I remember driving Hwy 217 right after it opened, in the '60s. It was a sunny Sunday morning. The asphalt surface was black and flawless. I was the only car on the road, all the way from Tigard to Beaverton.

How things change.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I remember driving Hwy 217 right after it opened, in the '60s. It was a sunny Sunday morning. The asphalt surface was black and flawless. I was the only car on the road, all the way from Tigard to Beaverton.

How things change.

Remember when the Banfield "sang"? The rain grooves had been oddly cut, and each pavement segment had a different sound, so it made a sort of a tune as you drove down the road.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Remember when the Banfield "sang"? The rain grooves had been oddly cut, and each pavement segment had a different sound, so it made a sort of a tune as you drove down the road.

Does Portland still have that bridge with the open steel mesh instead of pavement on the deck? Whenever I drove across that, I always wondered what would happen to my tires if I had to do a panic stop...

[The Cactus Leaguer]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

I expect the Salem and Portland areas to be aggregated into the same metro area eventually.

They were in the same CMSA for the 2000 census. Then they did away with CMSA's, opting instead for "CSA's". The irony now is that the economic health of Salem and Marion County actually "hurts" Portland in the sense of being identified as a large metro region, because Salem is its own economic hub with commuting patterns, etc. If Vanc/PDX/Salem were the same CSA they would be well over 2.5 million.

[The Cactus Leaguer]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Does Portland still have that bridge with the open steel mesh instead of pavement on the deck? Whenever I drove across that, I always wondered what would happen to my tires if I had to do a panic stop...

Yep. Actually there are several like that, and I used to ride a scooter over them in college (in the 80's). Yikes!

[Imperial1904]

Since when did Medford and Bend have over 100,000?

I know 'metro' covers a large area but I don't think there's that many in both towns.

[CalculusE.]

Originally Posted by Imperial1904

Since when did Medford and Bend have over 100,000?

I know 'metro' covers a large area but I don't think there's that many in both towns.

Both areas have grown a lot. I know medford has, especially in the last ten years and its housing market reflects it. Houses out in White City, Eagle Point can push 250-350k easy for a standard 3/2 home. Theres not been much incentive for me to move back there other than family and my family may be moving north soon anyway.

[tablemtn]

Medford has grown a lot. Everything from the north edge of Central Point to the south edge of Phoenix is solid development.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I remember driving Hwy 217 right after it opened, in the '60s. It was a sunny Sunday morning. The asphalt surface was black and flawless. I was the only car on the road, all the way from Tigard to Beaverton.

How things change.

We moved to Beaverton in 1963. I found some population stats for 1960, showing Beaverton to be less than 7,000 population.

I recall a few grocery stores like Safeway, with the arched beam roofs. And my dad drove me to Raleigh Hills Fred Meyer or downtown Portland for clothing.

There sure was a lot of rural land mass back then.