Portland's share of college graduates rises
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The share of Portlanders 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher rose from about 40% to 43% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods, according to new census data.
Why it matters: A rising share of college-educated adults can help reshape a metro area's economic trajectory, workforce and competitiveness — a much-needed boost the Portland area could use right now.
Between the lines: Nearly 90% of metro areas saw an increase in the share of adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher, per the Census Bureau's latest 5-year American Community Survey estimates.
- A given metro's share can increase if more residents get their degrees, or if more people with degrees move into town.
Follow the money: The median annual earnings for a college grad in Portland is a little more than $76,000, compared to just over $45,000 for workers whose education stopped at high school.