The new estimates are the second to be released since the publication of results of the 2020 Census and incorporate latest data on housing completions and migration since 2020. Starting with the publication of 2021 estimates by PRC, certified estimates from the previous year have been revised to reflect increased availability of data about past migration trends. These revisions increase the accuracy of net changes since the census benchmark. With these changes, Oregon’s cumulative net migration between the census date (4/1/2020) and July 1, 2021 was reduced slightly from approximately 31,000 to 27,400 (an -11% correction).
Population growth is driven by births, deaths, and migration. Starting in the 2021 estimates cycle, births to Oregon residents have been outpaced by deaths (‘natural decrease’). Over the past year, this trend continued, as the state saw approximately 40,000 births and 46,000 deaths. This was an expected change due to population aging in the state, but the global pandemic accelerated its appearance (according to preliminary data from the Oregon Health Authority, COVID-19 caused at least 8,000 deaths through the period ending 7/1/2022). Natural decrease in the past year was offset by net migration of approximately 20,800 new residents to the state.
All Oregon residents are included in the population estimates. Residents include people living in housing units (including mobile homes and transitory locations such as boats, tents, motel rooms if they are a usual place of residence), and in group quarters (such as college dormitories, nursing homes, jails and prisons). After declines in the GQ population during 2020-2021 associated with closures early during the pandemic, GQ population declined approximately 10% statewide, but the GQ populations have since returned to close to pre-pandemic levels.
Oregon’s three most populous counties (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas) are home to almost two million people, more than forty percent of Oregon's population. Among Oregon’s 36 counties, 29 experienced natural decrease, led by Lane (-1,654) and Douglas (-1,122). Overall, however, only 4 counties had net out-migration, and only 8 counties lost net population. The counties that added the most people were Clackamas (+3,603), Deschutes (+3,289), and Washington (+1,533). The greatest decline was in Multnomah County (-2,321), which experienced net losses due to out-migration. Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine also had population decline between 100-300 residents, although losses in those counties were due to natural decrease.
Among incorporated cities and towns, Portland is the most populous, with over 645,000 residents, followed by Salem (179,642), and Eugene (178,259). Gresham, Hillsboro, and Bend cities each also had more than 100,000 residents. Net gains of over 1,000 residents were measured in Bend (+1,681), Redmond (+1,361), Beaverton (+1,678), and Salem (+2,407), while the largest percentage increases among cities with 1,000 or more population occurred in Bay City (+10.5%), Estacada (+7.3%), La Pine (+6.7%), Adair Village (+6.4%), and Brownsville (+6.4%).
Population estimates are benchmarked to the most recent decennial census (2020) and updated annually by Portland State University for state revenue sharing formulas. Estimates are also used for other purposes specified in statute, as well as general research and planning. State and county estimates are updated using data on births, deaths, migration, labor market data, and other state and federal administrative data sources. Population estimates for jurisdictions within each county are updated using data on construction, demolitions, annexations, and conversions of housing units from one type to another (for example, from single family to duplexes), with special adjustments for losses from natural disasters such as wildfires and changes in group quarters populations. Cities and balance of county are then adjusted for consistency with county totals. For more information and to view the preliminary population estimates, visit the Population Research Center’s website.