Metro-Area Population to Jump By 46% Over 25 Years

PORTLAND-The Portland Metropolitan area population will increase 46% over the next 25 years, according to a recent report prepared for the Metro Council. If accurate, by 2025, some 2.55 million people will be living in the four-county area that includes Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas in Oregon and Clark in Southwest Washington. Currently, the estimated population of the area is slightly north of 1.74 million.

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.