The forecast reports are prepared every five years or so to help the regional government officials make decisions regarding the region's urban growth boundary. The UGB encompasses 24 cities within the four-county area. The next expansion decision is scheduled for 2002, though previous decisions remain embroiled in legal battles that are so far preventing their implementation.

The growth rate is predicated on an economy that, after two years of comparatively slow growth, will grow faster than California, Washington and the national average. The population increase also presumes a strong high-tech industry that will continue to attract out-of-state workers.

The study also anticipates a jump in home prices of 120%, for an annual average growth of about 3.1%. If it bears out, the median price of a Portland-area home would rise from $161,000 last year to $350,000 by 2025. In 1985, the median home price was $61,500.