Thousands Leaving Portland Cause Over $1 Billion Loss for Oregon County During Pandemic

Multnomah County in Oregon Faces $1 Billion Loss in Income

Multnomah County in Oregon, which includes the city of Portland, experienced a significant loss of income amounting to over $1 billion. This loss was a result of a large number of people leaving the area due to concerns about homelessness and crime.

IRS data analyzed by The Oregonian/Oregon Live revealed that between 2020 and 2021, a total of 14,257 tax filers and their dependents left the county. It was noted that most of the residents who departed during this period had higher incomes.

According to state economist Josh Lehner, it is unclear whether the changes brought about by the pandemic will be temporary or permanent. The answer to this question can only be determined once the data for 2023 and 2024 is available. The data shows that over 20% of people who left Multnomah, a county in Oregon, moved to the suburbs of Portland in Clackamas County. Others relocated to states such as Texas, South Carolina, or Washington.

Rising Concerns about Homelessness and Crime in Portland

Residents in Portland are expressing worries about rising crime rates and a significant increase in homelessness. The number of homeless individuals in the city has surged by 50% between 2019 and 2022. Additionally, Portland has been experiencing a steady decline in its population, making it one of the fastest shrinking cities in the United States.

Local resident Christina Hartnett expressed her frustration and distress over the situation in her neighborhood. She shared her concerns about her house being taken over and her lawn being used as a public bathroom. Hartnett also mentioned feeling unsafe due to the presence of drug-addicted individuals causing disturbances in her driveway. She expressed her reluctance to confront them and ask them to move so she could go to work.

According to a local resident, Larry May, tourism in Portland has significantly declined. May expressed his concern that the city no longer attracts tourists like it used to, stating that "it's like Portland died." He also mentioned that crime rates have been on the rise, attributing it to funding cuts for the police. May expressed hope that the city would address these issues and restore the safety and vibrancy that he remembers.

Police Department Budget Cuts and Officer Shortage

In 2020, Portland's city council reduced the police department's budget by $15 million in response to protests against police violence. Despite efforts to restore funding, the police department has been losing officers. Although the city has hired more police since September, there is still a shortage of about 80 officers.