Young children’s share of the population in the Portland metro area dropped from 6.8% to 4.8% over the past two decades, census data shows, mirroring national trends.
Why it matters: The child population trend can reflect cities’ ability to attract, retain and support families.
- But larger nationwide factors are also at play, including birth and death rates as well as immigration.
Zoom in: Oregon has one of the lowest birth rates in country — above only Washington, D.C. and Vermont — and it is expected to have a strong influence on the state’s demographics and economy in the coming decades.
- Plus: Oregon’s birth rate is now below replacement level — meaning Oregon’s economy is fully reliant upon migration for population growth.
Zoom out: Some experts link Oregon’s low birth rate to the fact that we are an older state with a median age around 40…