Portland workers The Portland region is unique in its ability to bring in young, skilled households.

PORTLAND, OR—Portland is a fast-growing metro with a stable economy and high quality of life although like many West Coast cities, it has housing supply and affordability issues, according to Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. Its growth industries are apparel and design, food and beverage, and semiconductors. More broadly, strengths include renewable energy, wood products and UAVs.

Not to be outdone, e-commerce and health are factors, as Hillsboro-based Nike dominates the landscape. In addition, Oregon Health and Science is expanding its South Waterfront Campus, and Amazon has announced facilities in Troutdale, Salem and Hillsboro, with a combined 3,500 workers employed in those facilities. It is no wonder then, that Portland is attracting better-educated talent.

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Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown is an editor for the south and west regions of GlobeSt.com. She has 25-plus years of real estate experience, with a regional PR role at Grubb & Ellis and a national communications position at MMI. Brown also spent 10 years as executive director at NAIOP San Francisco Bay Area chapter, where she led the organization to achieving its first national award honors and recognition on Capitol Hill. She has written extensively on commercial real estate topics and edited numerous pieces on the subject.