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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.

Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking

The state moved farther from Gov. Tina Kotek's top-10 goal.

Oregon fell three spots to No. 42 in CNBC&#x27;s annual ranking of the best states for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/10/portland-economy-business-tax-safety-concerns" data-vars-content-id="62281e80-7efb-4788-b32f-2cdd48d8b09b" data-vars-headline="Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking" 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">business</a>, released on Thursday.Why it matters: Gov. Tina Kotek <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made it her goal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon&#x27;s_Prosperity_Roadmap_December_2025.pdf" data-vars-content-id="62281e80-7efb-4788-b32f-2cdd48d8b09b" data-vars-headline="Oregon falls to No. 42 in CNBC business ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/Oregon&#x27;s_Prosperity_Roadmap_December_2025.pdf" target="_blank">made it her goal</a> to crack the ranking&#x27;s top 10. Instead, we&#x27;re moving in the opposite direction.

PGE deal revives Forest Park tree removal plan

A new agreement could move the transmission project back toward approval.

A deal between Portland General Electric and the city could revive a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previously blocked plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/29/forest-park-transmission-expansion-trees-old-growth-controversy" data-vars-content-id="5054cc84-8f77-476e-9f5a-8540027dc656" data-vars-headline="PGE deal revives Forest Park tree removal plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/29/forest-park-transmission-expansion-trees-old-growth-controversy" target="_self">previously blocked plan</a> to remove hundreds of trees in Forest Park for transmission-line upgrades.Why it matters: The proposal has drawn strong opposition from conservation groups that argue the environmental costs outweigh the project&#x27;s benefits.

Portland launches waterfront park design competition

The winning design could reshape Portland's waterfront for decades to come.

Portland has launched an international design competition to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reimagine the future" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/25/portland-waterfront-amphitheater-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="4398868d-964c-4eb7-b264-f47d41bb5025" data-vars-headline="Portland launches waterfront park design competition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/03/25/portland-waterfront-amphitheater-redevelopment" target="_self">reimagine the future</a> of Tom McCall Waterfront Park.Why it matters: It could reshape the waterfront into a destination residents use year-round instead of sporadically during major festivals.

Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks

As heat risks rise, many Oregon households still lack A/C.

Climate

Clatsop County — home to coastal towns like Astoria, Cannon Beach and Seaside — has the highest share of households without air conditioning in Oregon, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" data-vars-content-id="4fd43a31-ff57-48ba-9a20-e36289d92cbf" data-vars-headline="Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" target="_blank">recent census data</a>.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves get more common" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/09/heat-dome-study-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="4fd43a31-ff57-48ba-9a20-e36289d92cbf" data-vars-headline="Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/09/heat-dome-study-climate-change" target="_self">heat waves get more common</a> and more intense due to climate change, more Oregonians may install A/C to stay cool and healthy — especially in places that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aren&#x27;t as used to extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-023-00340-3" data-vars-content-id="4fd43a31-ff57-48ba-9a20-e36289d92cbf" data-vars-headline="Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-023-00340-3" target="_blank">aren&#x27;t as used to extreme heat</a>.

Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off

Three gray whales found on Oregon beaches add to concerns about a wider die-off.

Nearly two dozen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gray whales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/04/oregon-gray-whales-foraging-techniques" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/04/oregon-gray-whales-foraging-techniques" target="_self">gray whales</a> have washed ashore along the West Coast this year, including three found on Oregon beaches — a troubling sign some experts say may signal another die-off event.The big picture: Many of the whales appeared upon necropsy to be emaciated, meaning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they did not get enough food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/31/sea-urchin-boom-harms-oregon-gray-whales" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/31/sea-urchin-boom-harms-oregon-gray-whales" target="_self">they did not get enough food</a> during last summer&#x27;s feeding session, Michael Milstein, a spokesperson with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="OPB" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/gray-whales-starving-died-oregon-coast/" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/gray-whales-starving-died-oregon-coast/" target="_blank">OPB</a>.

Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland

A warming climate is extending the freeze-free season and worsening pollen in the Northwest.

Grab your tissues: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allergy season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/11/climate-change-allergy-season-oregon-longer" data-vars-content-id="a7ccdaed-f100-44b1-9c43-6f9f38011886" data-vars-headline="Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/11/climate-change-allergy-season-oregon-longer" target="_self">Allergy season</a> is getting longer in Portland amid climate change, according to a new analysis from Climate Central.The big picture: The freeze-free growing season for plants lengthened from 1970 to 2025 in nearly 90% of the 198 cities analyzed in the climate research group&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" data-vars-content-id="a7ccdaed-f100-44b1-9c43-6f9f38011886" data-vars-headline="Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" target="_blank">latest report</a>.

Portland's winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend

A new Climate Central analysis finds Portland winters lasting four days longer.

Winters are getting shorter across most U.S. cities amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="9473f9d8-e176-479e-a933-be973a8acf6b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a>, but not in Portland.<ul><li>That&#x27;s per a new<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/shorter-winters-in-195-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="9473f9d8-e176-479e-a933-be973a8acf6b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/shorter-winters-in-195-us-cities" target="_blank"> analysis</a> based on temperatures rather than calendar dates from Climate Central, a climate research group.</li></ul>Driving the news: Compared to the 1970-1997 period, winters are now shorter in 80% of the 245 U.S. cities analyzed in the report.

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring

It&#x27;s no mirage: Portland is experiencing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midwinter warmup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" target="_self">midwinter warmup</a>.Driving the news: The Pacific Northwest is having a stretch of unusually warm weather, with temperatures in Oregon and southwest Washington expected to climb into the upper 50s and lower 60s this week, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" target="_blank">the National Weather Service</a>.

Portland's first freeze is arriving later

Later freezes could extend allergy season and harm crop yields.

As La Niña is expected to bring a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="colder, wetter winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" target="_self">colder, wetter winter</a> to Portland, we&#x27;re only a few weeks out until our first freeze, too.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first freezing temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" target="_self">first freezing temperatures</a> after summer are coming later on the calendar than they used to, according to a new analysis.

La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon

Forecasters say La Niña will bring more snow and rain across Oregon this winter.

Portlanders should prepare for another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wet, cold winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" target="_self">wet, cold winter</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" target="_blank">the latest outlook</a> from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The big picture: The Pacific Northwest is expected to see above-average precipitation totals and below-average temperatures for December, January and February, in part due to a developing weak La Niña — similar to what we saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" target="_self">last year</a>.

Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones

70% of students attend schools in areas that are up to 8° hotter due to the urban heat island effect.

Most K–12 public students in Portland attend schools in extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban heat zones," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="bc46d55d-1e63-43c7-bce6-f44922cc7ca8" data-vars-headline="Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" target="_self">urban heat zones,</a> a new analysis finds.Why it matters: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during heat waves like the one we&#x27;re in currently.

Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer

June through September has a 50-60% chance of being hotter than average for most of the state.

Most of Oregon is staring down a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotter and drier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" target="_self">hotter and drier</a> than average summer, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new climate forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">new climate forecasts</a>.Why it matters: Warmer temperatures and less precipitation raises the chances of drought conditions, wildfire risk and the potential of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" target="_self">heat-related deaths</a>.

Portland gets a "C" for ozone pollution

The city ranked 105th worst for the number of high ozone days among other metros.

The Portland metro area lands in the middle of the pack for ozone pollution, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">a new report</a> from the American Lung Association, but Oregon still faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting climate challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/13/oregon-climate-change-report-utility-costs" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/13/oregon-climate-change-report-utility-costs" target="_self">mounting climate challenges</a> that affect air quality.Why it matters: Air pollution threatens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the health of everyone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/15/climate-change-air-quality-oregon" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/15/climate-change-air-quality-oregon" target="_self">the health of everyone</a> — especially children, seniors, and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions.

A choropleth map of the United States showing the estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, by county, in 2023. Overall, 6.9% of households in the U.S. lacked AC. Rates were much higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the west, and Appalachia. The county in the contiguous U.S. with the highest share without AC was San Francisco County in California, at 65.4%. The county with the highest number of households without AC was Los Angeles County, at 702 thousand.

Estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, 2023

Data: U.S. Census; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Axios What's Next

A symbol map of U.S. cities showing the change in average allergy season length from 1970 to 2025. For most cities, the season has gotten longer, by an average of 23 days. Reno, Nevada, shows an increase of 100 days, while Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a decrease of 15 days.

Change in the average length of allergy season from 1970 to 2025

Data: Climate Central; Note: Map shows data for the two largest cities in each state, where available; Map: Axios Visuals

A U.S. map showing the change in average length of consecutive winter days from 1970-1997 to 1998-2025. 15 metro areas experienced 20 fewer days of winter, including Juneau, Alaska with 62 fewer days. Only metros experienced 20 more days: Eureka, California (50) and Monterey (46).

Change in the average length of winter

Data: Climate Central; Note: Winter temperature threshold based on the coldest 90-day window; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

Climate 🌿

Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks

Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off

Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland

Portland's winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring