PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The state's population increased by almost 55,000 people in the last year, reaching roughly 3.75 million on July 1, according to preliminary estimates released this week by Portland State University researchers.
The increase continues a trend that has been seen for years. The researchers estimate that Oregon's population has jumped 9.5 percent since 2000. The figures also show that Central Oregon and the Portland suburbs continue to attract many of the newcomers.
Oregon law requires the Population Research Center at Portland State to prepare the estimates each year for each county and incorporated city. Certain tax revenues collected by the state are sent to the local governments based on population.
The researchers come up with estimates by looking at a variety of factors, such as births, deaths, voter registration, state tax returns, school enrollments, and changes in housing stock.
In the latest 12-month period, Crook County in Central Oregon led the state with a growth rate of 5.5 percent, or 1,360 people, for a July 1 estimate of 25,885 residents. It has also gained 6,703 residents since 2000, a growth rate of almost 35 percent - second only to neighboring Deschutes County for the seven-year stretch.
Deschutes grew 5.4 percent over the year, adding 8,195 residents for a total of 160,810. Its population has surged by 45,443 residents since 2000.
Jefferson County, also in Central Oregon, ranked third in the state for both the past year and the first seven years of the decade.
Though the Central Oregon counties dominate in terms of percentages, Washington County, outside of Portland, leads the way when it comes to the actual number of new residents. Researchers estimate it has added 65,733 people since 2000.
Multnomah County, which includes Portland, gained the next-most number of people since 2000 (49,539) and it still has the state's largest population (660,486).
Only a handful of counties shed population last year. Malheur County in Eastern Oregon had the biggest estimated loss - 105 people.
As for cities, Portland continues to be the largest one by far, with an estimated 568,380 people calling it home. The second-biggest city remains a close fight between Eugene and Salem. Researchers say Eugene had 153,690 residents on July 1 and Salem had 151,895.
Gresham is still Oregon's fourth-largest city, and it's less than 800 people away from reaching the 100,000 mark, according to the estimates.
The university issues its preliminary estimates in mid-November, giving local governments time to challenge them. The figures are finalized in mid-December.
For more information on the study, click here.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
