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What fewer children means for Portland

The effects stretch from classrooms to the job market.

News

The West is home to fewer children than it was five years ago, according to new census data.Why it matters: Portland&#x27;s been grappling with this demographic shift for years — declining classroom enrollment, an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aging population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/16/aging-population-baby-boomers-oregon-economy" data-vars-content-id="57c3ea18-e52c-4870-b9e8-6ae5213b2813" data-vars-headline="What fewer children means for Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/16/aging-population-baby-boomers-oregon-economy" target="_self">aging population</a>, slower population growth — and it could drastically reshape the local economy.

Everything to know about Portland Arts Week

Dozens of galleries, museums and bookstores are participating.

Things to Do

Portland&#x27;s first-ever Arts Week kicks off Thursday with dozens of free events designed to showcase the city&#x27;s robust arts ecosystem.Why it matters: The theme is sports, capitalizing on two of Portland&#x27;s biggest audiences and the excitement building around our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new WNBA team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/10/portland-fire-record-wnba-debut-crowd" data-vars-content-id="9422989a-0cad-48c4-816d-03a170b7ddf1" data-vars-headline="Everything to know about Portland Arts Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/10/portland-fire-record-wnba-debut-crowd" target="_self">new WNBA team</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" data-vars-content-id="9422989a-0cad-48c4-816d-03a170b7ddf1" data-vars-headline="Everything to know about Portland Arts Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" target="_self">the World Cup</a>.

A Polish family recipe powers Portland's newest pop-up

Kuzyn's handmade pierogi are selling out.

Food and Drink

Three cousins have turned a century-old family recipe into one of Portland&#x27;s newest pop-ups this summer. <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kuzyn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/kuzynpdx/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="5b3f0765-bf27-4613-8ae8-ded84161c18e" data-vars-headline="A Polish family recipe powers Portland&#x27;s newest pop-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/kuzynpdx/?hl=en" target="_blank">Kuzyn</a> serves handmade Polish pierogi inspired by the meals they ate growing up together. </li></ul>The big picture: Kyle Broughton, Dan Skuret and Griffin Bariluk launched Kuzyn earlier this year after realizing Portland lacked options for the traditional Eastern European dish.

The hurdles in Kotek's economic prosperity roadmap

Rethinking the state's tax structure would be the most "politically difficult."

To revive Oregon&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sluggish economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">sluggish economy</a>, Gov. Tina Kotek&#x27;s Prosperity Council says the state needs to overhaul everything from its tax structure to its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regulatory system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/portland-s-construction-permitting-timeline-lags-behind-vancouver" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/20/portland-s-construction-permitting-timeline-lags-behind-vancouver" target="_self">regulatory system</a>.Why it matters: Business leaders have spent years warning that Oregon is losing out on jobs and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions of dollars in investment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">billions of dollars in investment</a> due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red tape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2026/02/12/oregons-economy-has-lagged-for-decades-some-blame-a-shrinking-workforce-and-too-much-red-tape/" data-vars-content-id="19b561ad-c0b2-4355-a234-7c4d910ddd22" data-vars-headline="The hurdles in Kotek&#x27;s economic prosperity roadmap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2026/02/12/oregons-economy-has-lagged-for-decades-some-blame-a-shrinking-workforce-and-too-much-red-tape/" target="_blank">red tape</a>, workforce shortages and high costs.

Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality

The Ground uses lodging, restaurants and retreats to support its 500-acre farm.

Margins can be razor-thin for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small farms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/02/small-farms-food-program-gets-local-lifeline" data-vars-content-id="870e15ad-bce1-499e-a52e-00d5ac4c2d28" data-vars-headline="Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/02/small-farms-food-program-gets-local-lifeline" target="_self">small farms</a> in Oregon, leaving some to try out a new crop: hospitality.Why it matters: As the number of farms <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continues to decline" data-vars-click-url="https://extension.oregonstate.edu/es/node/229291/printable/print" data-vars-content-id="870e15ad-bce1-499e-a52e-00d5ac4c2d28" data-vars-headline="Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://extension.oregonstate.edu/es/node/229291/printable/print" target="_blank">continues to decline</a>, more operators are turning to agritourism as a way to survive while connecting people with the land and the food it produces.

How Vancouver is winning over small businesses

New funding, partnerships and city support are making the once-sleepy suburb more attractive.

Vancouver is courting small businesses with incentives and support as its recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/20/clark-county-population-growth-oregon-exodus" data-vars-content-id="28c282ab-85a3-4f71-8a27-362f0c5d5479" data-vars-headline="How Vancouver is winning over small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/20/clark-county-population-growth-oregon-exodus" target="_self">population boom</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multimillion-dollar redevelopment projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/06/21/vancouver-waterfront-near-completion" data-vars-content-id="28c282ab-85a3-4f71-8a27-362f0c5d5479" data-vars-headline="How Vancouver is winning over small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/06/21/vancouver-waterfront-near-completion" target="_self">multimillion-dollar redevelopment projects</a> reshape the city.Why it matters: Clark County <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has led the region" data-vars-click-url="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/2026-state-of-the-economy/" data-vars-content-id="28c282ab-85a3-4f71-8a27-362f0c5d5479" data-vars-headline="How Vancouver is winning over small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/2026-state-of-the-economy/" target="_blank">has led the region</a> in job growth every year since the pandemic, outpacing much larger counties like Multnomah and Washington.

Salt & Straw explores sale at $200M valuation

The Oregon ice cream brand is weighing a deal to support future growth.

Business

Portland&#x27;s long-running ice cream icon, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt &amp; Straw" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/28/salt-straw-s-new-chef-collabs-look-wildly-good" data-vars-content-id="b54074e7-2646-4097-84a1-df309bd35df7" data-vars-headline="Salt &amp; Straw explores sale at $200M valuation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/28/salt-straw-s-new-chef-collabs-look-wildly-good" target="_self">Salt &amp; Straw</a>, is up for sale at a valuation of roughly $200 million, per media reports.Why it matters: A sale could help fund the artisan frozen confectioner&#x27;s next phase of growth as the brand expands beyond its West Coast roots.

Oregon's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A Yale analysis finds about 72% of Oregon hospitals are concentrated under a few systems.

Health

Oregon&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among just a few hospital systems, a dynamic that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" target="_self">raised concern</a> among critics and state lawmakers in the past.Why it matters: As rising health care costs put more financial strain on Americans, &quot;one major and underappreciated factor driving price increases is rising consolidation among U.S. hospitals,&quot; according to Yale&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Health Care Affordability Lab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">Health Care Affordability Lab</a>.

Finding solutions for Oregon's business struggles

A business leader calls for major tax, land use and regulatory changes.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.As economic stagnation becomes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a greater threat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/09/oregon-businesses-expand-out-of-state-growth-incentives" target="_self">a greater threat</a> in Oregon, the state&#x27;s long-held policies for containing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sprawl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/15/oregon-land-use-laws-willamette-valley-farms-urban-development-commercial-farmers-crops/" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/15/oregon-land-use-laws-willamette-valley-farms-urban-development-commercial-farmers-crops/" target="_blank">sprawl</a> and preserving farms and forestland are seen by some as hindering business growth.Why it matters: Slowing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/01/oregon-population-growth-among-slowest-in-the-nation.html" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/01/oregon-population-growth-among-slowest-in-the-nation.html" target="_blank">population growth</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private sector instability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/23/intel-oregon-future-layoffs-investment" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/23/intel-oregon-future-layoffs-investment" target="_self">private sector instability</a>, Portland&#x27;s spotty downtown recovery, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new tariff exposure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/23/oregon-supreme-court-trump-tariffs-670m-refunds" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/23/oregon-supreme-court-trump-tariffs-670m-refunds" target="_self">new tariff exposure</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a workforce strained" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/11/small-businesses-rising-costs-reputation-challenges" data-vars-content-id="1b053321-693d-43bb-9a7f-e60c2418306f" data-vars-headline="Finding solutions for Oregon&#x27;s business struggles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/11/small-businesses-rising-costs-reputation-challenges" target="_self">a workforce strained</a> by Oregon&#x27;s high tax system are all converging at once — prompting lawmakers and business leaders to treat economic competitiveness with a new level of urgency.

Portland small businesses feel squeeze of costs and bureaucracy

Owners cite higher expenses, taxes and reputation concerns as key pressures.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.Portland has long been seen as a haven for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="small businesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="86d39de4-8a76-42e1-93f3-420934ef51f3" data-vars-headline="Portland small businesses feel squeeze of costs and bureaucracy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" target="_self">small businesses</a>, a city with the ingenuity and creative spirit that fosters off-beat shops, innovative restaurants and funky new brands, but standing up and sustaining those business isn&#x27;t easy these days.Why it matters: Economic dynamics — some unique to Portland, others part of wider national trends — and a bruised reputation challenge the Rose City&#x27;s status as a place where entrepreneurs can thrive.

How Portland's business challenges ripple across Oregon

The city's economic growth depends on restoring livability.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.Portland&#x27;s business <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/25/portland-satisfication-rate-survey-housing" data-vars-content-id="fa9433eb-f424-4e2a-afcc-3f37e26b1a20" data-vars-headline="How Portland&#x27;s business challenges ripple across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/25/portland-satisfication-rate-survey-housing" target="_self">reputation</a> is at a crossroads. While many residents see the city as livable and vibrant as ever, entrepreneurs and companies often report growing concerns about safety, cost and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competitiveness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-portland-736967d9-942d-4151-94db-ce21ab0471bb.html" data-vars-content-id="fa9433eb-f424-4e2a-afcc-3f37e26b1a20" data-vars-headline="How Portland&#x27;s business challenges ripple across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-portland-736967d9-942d-4151-94db-ce21ab0471bb.html" target="_self">competitiveness</a>.Why it matters: The Portland metro area generates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than half" data-vars-click-url="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PorlandRegions-Impact-StateFiscal-Health-FINAL.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fa9433eb-f424-4e2a-afcc-3f37e26b1a20" data-vars-headline="How Portland&#x27;s business challenges ripple across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PorlandRegions-Impact-StateFiscal-Health-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">more than half</a> of Oregon&#x27;s economic output. So when business confidence shifts here, the effects are felt statewide — from job growth to tax revenue that funds education, transportation and health care.

Oregon isn't just losing businesses, it's losing their growth

Experts warn the state is losing billions in private investment and future jobs by not addressing competitiveness.

This story is part of a four-part Axios Portland series examining Oregon&#x27;s business competitiveness.Just a few decades ago, Oregon&#x27;s quality of life, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="booming population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/08/oregon-population-growth-sherman-crook-deschutes-county" data-vars-content-id="fea2bb8d-ae1b-47bc-9c1f-90d1aac90825" data-vars-headline="Oregon isn&#x27;t just losing businesses, it&#x27;s losing their growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/08/oregon-population-growth-sherman-crook-deschutes-county" target="_self">booming population</a> and historically strong trade sector made it an attractive place to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="start a business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/24/portland-downtown-recovery-small-business-survey" data-vars-content-id="fea2bb8d-ae1b-47bc-9c1f-90d1aac90825" data-vars-headline="Oregon isn&#x27;t just losing businesses, it&#x27;s losing their growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/24/portland-downtown-recovery-small-business-survey" target="_self">start a business</a>. We saw the likes of Dutch Bros., Tektronix and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbia Sportswear" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/11/portland-layoffs-jobs-openings-labor-market" data-vars-content-id="fea2bb8d-ae1b-47bc-9c1f-90d1aac90825" data-vars-headline="Oregon isn&#x27;t just losing businesses, it&#x27;s losing their growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/11/portland-layoffs-jobs-openings-labor-market" target="_self">Columbia Sportswear</a> take root here and skyrocket into nationally recognized brands.<ul><li>But today, some of those same businesses are packing up for greener, more business-friendly pastures, and analysts warn Oregon isn&#x27;t doing enough to keep their expansion here.</li></ul>

How Portland Leather bet on Facebook for its rapid retail growth

The $200M brand uses Facebook Groups to drive loyal fans to new store openings.

Portland Leather Goods aims to open 10 additional stores within the next year, a rapid expansion fueled not by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TikTok" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/tiktok-news" data-vars-content-id="e64d4007-2d15-4dec-8b85-5162e08e7e3d" data-vars-headline="How Portland Leather bet on Facebook for its rapid retail growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/tiktok-news" target="_self">TikTok</a> virality or wholesale deals, but by an older-school social media platform that&#x27;s often overlooked by today&#x27;s trendsetters.The big picture: The Portland-based company, which produces handcrafted leather handbags and accessories, has leaned into Facebook Groups to build a fiercely loyal community of fans that reliably show up in-person for store openings nationwide.

Business 🏦

The hurdles in Kotek's economic prosperity roadmap

Why one Oregon farm is embracing hospitality

How Vancouver is winning over small businesses

Salt & Straw explores sale at $200M valuation

Oregon data center growth meets pushback from residents