New Census county population estimates for Oregon [released March 2014] (Portland: 2015, condo)

[tablemtn]

They came out a few days ago. Here's a copyright-free map (based on a previous Census map) showing the county-by-county estimates of population change across Oregon between July 2012 and July 2013:



These are only estimates, of course. But based on Oregon's 2010 census results compared to the 2009 pre-census estimates, they're probably a reasonable guideline.

At 0.8%, Oregon grew very slightly more quickly than the national average of 0.7%. The population rose from 3,899,801 in 2012 to 3,930,065 in 2013. At that rate, Oregon would reach 4 million by late 2015. It is the nation's 27th-most-populous state, ahead of Oklahoma by about 80,000, and behind Kentucky by around 450,000.

Of Oregon's 36 counties, the Census department estimates that 22 of them grew and 14 of them shrank. The most rapid decline was in Wheeler County (county seat: Fossil), which is also Oregon's least-populous county, contracting 2.7% from 1,419 people to 1,381. The fastest gains were reported in Deschutes County (capital: Bend), rising 2.5% from 161,887 to 165,954.

Oregon's most populous county of Multnomah (home to most of Portland) rose 0.9% from 758,932 to 766,135. But in the Portland metro area, both Washington (554,996; +1.4%) and Clackamas (388,263; +1/2%) grew more rapidly. Though not on this map, Clark County, Washington (home to Vancouver) also grew at 1.4%, to 443,817.

Here are the counties ranked by estimated population - you can see how less-populated counties tended to absorb most of the population declines, while larger ones continued to grow, reflecting the general trend of urbanization that has been taking place in Oregon since the late 1800's.

Rank - County (County seat) - Estimated population (percentage gain or loss). Numerical gain or loss

1. Multnomah (Portland) - 766,135 (+0.9%). +7,203
2. Washington (Hillsboro) - 554,996 (+1.4%). +7,453
3. Clackamas (Oregon City) - 388,263 (+1.2%). +4,635
4. Lane (Eugene) - 356,212 (+0.5%). +1,706
5. Marion (Salem) - 323,614 (+0.7%). +2,217
6. Jackson (Medford) - 208,545 (+1.0%). +2,033
7. Deschutes (Bend) - 165,954 (+2.5%). +4,067
8. Linn (Albany) - 118,407 (+0.3%). +358
9. Douglas (Roseburg) - 106,940 (-0.2%). -226
10. Yamhill (McMinville) - 100,725 (+0.1%). +81
11. Benton (Corvallis) - 86,591 (+0.2%). +155
12. Josephine (Grants Pass) - 83,306 (+0.6%). +493
13. Polk (Dallas) - 76,794 (+0.6%). +463
14. Umatilla (Pendleton) - 76,720 (-0.2%). -162
15. Klamath (Klamath Falls) - 65,910 (-0.2%). -161
16. Coos (Coquille) - 62,282 (-0.6%). -355
17. Columbia (Saint Helens) - 49,344 (+0.2%). +111
18. Lincoln (Newport) - 46,350 (+0.4%). +176
19. Clatsop (Astoria) - 37,244 (-0.3%). -95
20. Malheur (Vale) - 30,479 (-0.5%). -153
21. Union (La Grande) - 25,652 (-0.7%). -171
22. Wasco (The Dalles) - 25,477 (+0.0%). +7
23. Tillamook (Tillamook) - 25,317 (-0.0%). -9
24. Hood River (Hood River) - 22,675 (+0.3%). +78
25. Curry (Gold Beach) - 22,339 (+0.3%). +65
26. Jefferson (Madras) - 21,145 (+0.5%). +112
27. Crook (Prineville) - 20,815 (+0.7%). +149
28. Baker (Baker City) - 16,018 (+0.7%). +104
29. Morrow (Heppner) - 11,336 (+0.7%). +77
30. Lake (Lakeview) - 7,820 (+0.4%). +35
31. Grant (Canyon City) - 7,283 (-0.5%). -34
32. Harney (Burns) - 7,146 (-1.1%). -82
33. Wallowa (Enterprise) - 6,814 (-0.3%). -19
34. Gilliam (Condon) - 1,947 (-0.1%). -1
35. Sherman (Moro) - 1,731 (-0.5%). -8
36. Wheeler (Fossil) - 1,381 (-2.7%). -38

Totals: 3,930,065 (+0.8%). +30,264

To compare with surrounding states:

Nevada: 2,790,136 (+1.3%). +35,782
Washington: 6,971,406 (+1.1%). +76,088
Idaho: 1,612,136 (+1.0%). +16,546
California: 38,332,521 (+0.9%). +332,643

[tablemtn]

And since we have the data, we can add in the counties in other states which border Oregon:

Washington (state average: +1.1%. #13 most populous in US.)

Clark (Vancouver) - 443,817 (+1.4%). +5,946
Benton (Prosser) - 184,486 (+1.2%). +2,103
Cowlitz (Kelso) - 101,860 (+0.0%). +33
Walla Walla (Walla Walla) - 59,530 (+0.2%). +130
Asotin (Asotin) - 22,110 (+1.1%). +233
Klickitat (Goldendale) - 20,866 (+1.1%). +237
Pacific (South Bend) - 20,498 (-0.5%). -93
Skamania (Stevenson) - 11,274 (+0.8%). +87
Wahkiakum (Cathlamet) - 4,042 (+1.1%). +45
Columbia (Dayton) - 4,032 (+0.9%). +34
Garfield (Pomeroy) - 2,256 (+1.2%). +26

Idaho (state average: +1.0%. #39 most-populous in US.)

Canyon (Caldwell) - 198,871 (+2.6%). +5,083
Nez Perce (Lewiston) - 39,915 (+0.8%). +335
Payette (Payette) - 22,610 (-0.3%). -66
Idaho (Grangeville) - 16,116 (-1.3%). -211
Owyhee (Murphy) - 11,472 (+0.1%). +14
Washington (Weiser) - 9,944 (-1.0%). -97
Adams (Council) - 3,828 (-2.2%). -86

California (state average: +0.9%. #1 most-populous in US.)

Siskiyou (Yreka) - 43,799 (-1.0%). -424
Del Norte (Crescent City) - 27,873 (-1.3%). -375
Modoc (Alturas) - 9,147 (-2.1%). -199

Nevada (state average: +1.3. #35 most-populous in US.)

Washoe (Reno) - 433,731 (+1.1%). +4,652
Elko (Elko) - 52,384 (+2.8%). +1,430
Humboldt (Winnemucca) - 17,363 (+1.7%). +289

[Steve Pickering]

Not a surprise in the mix.

[kapetrich]

Interesting statistics, thanks for posting OP!


If only we had StevePickering on record stating that some of these numbers would be, in fact, a surprise to him. Oh wait: http://www.city-data.com/forum/bend/...-here-now.html

[jjpop]

"State economists say the area of the state that’s been adding new jobs the fastest is Bend. Central Oregon is the only area that added new jobs faster than the state as a whole."

Oregon Is Sixth Nationally In Job Growth, All Metro Areas Adding New Jobs | Jefferson Public Radio

[Steve Pickering]

I agree. Bend added more jobs per capita than the rest of the state. There were more people there needing jobs. But call centers, and flipping Bbrgers only pumps up the numbers, it doesn't pay the family bills. Most of those jobs were service industry low pay and flunky positions.