Multnomah
Oregon

What stands out

If you had to describe Multnomah County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is among the highest in America (66 per 100,000), winter sunshine is among the cloudiest in America (-2.6 on the USDA scale), and natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (99 of 100). Within Oregon it ranks 1st of 36 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Multnomah County, Oregon. 808,098 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -6,518).

Oregon has no sales tax and a graduated income tax that reaches 9.9% at modest incomes, plus an estate tax that begins at $1 million, the lowest threshold in the country. Portland adds regional income taxes for homeless services and preschool. Statewide land-use rules limit sprawl, which keeps home prices high in the Willamette Valley. The state does not tax Social Security.

Money

The typical household here brings in $83,668 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $80,772. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 67% of American counties. 20% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Oregon takes 8.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $7,002 a year.

Home

The median home costs $511K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 4.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,603 a month. Property tax is 0.99% of home value, roughly $4,853 a year on that median home, higher than 59% of American counties. 54% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 78% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 66 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.5 years, longer than 80% of American counties. There are 6,006 active physicians in the county, about 74.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 6.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 64 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 76% of eligible voters turned out. Under Oregon law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 53°F, highs near 62 and lows near 44, colder than 61% of American counties. About 59 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 277 Mbps down, faster than 87% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 83 breweries, 28 museums.