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Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals

Score three- or five-course meals at top spots for a fraction of the usual cost.

Food and Drink

That <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" data-vars-content-id="29962f4d-b39a-4b22-985d-b9149be0d3c3" data-vars-headline="Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/food-and-drink" target="_self">new restaurant</a> you&#x27;ve been meaning to try? March may be the time to finally book a reservation.The big picture: More than 100 of the city&#x27;s top dining establishments are participating in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland Dining Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pdxdiningmonth.com/" data-vars-content-id="29962f4d-b39a-4b22-985d-b9149be0d3c3" data-vars-headline="Portland Dining Month delivers big restaurant deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pdxdiningmonth.com/" target="_blank">Portland Dining Month</a>, where exclusive, limited-time prix-fixe meals — with either three or five courses — will be a fraction of the cost.

Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump's rejected tariffs

If or when that money is ever returned remains an open question.

News

Roughly $670 million is now potentially up for grabs in Oregon after the Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/20/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-illegal" target="_self">struck down</a> a swath of President Trump&#x27;s tariffs on Friday, according to the Trade Partnership Worldwide economic research firm.Why it matters: Those tariffs, reversed in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a case led by" data-vars-click-url="https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/federal-oversight/federal-litigation-tracker/tariffs-oregon-v-trump-u-s-court-of-international-trade-125-cv-00077/&#x27;" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/federal-oversight/federal-litigation-tracker/tariffs-oregon-v-trump-u-s-court-of-international-trade-125-cv-00077/&#x27;" target="_blank">a case led by</a> Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, likely made <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all kinds of stuff more expensive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-cost" data-vars-content-id="d4e96304-57e9-4bc4-820c-1d871c38c9a6" data-vars-headline="Oregon paid an estimated $670M in Trump&#x27;s rejected tariffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-cost" target="_self">all kinds of stuff more expensive</a> as businesses passed higher costs onto everyday Americans.

Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high

59% of homebuyers last year paid less than the original asking price, per Redfin.

Real Estate

The average discount for Portland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/08/portland-home-values-drop" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/08/portland-home-values-drop" target="_self">homes</a> that sold below their original asking price last year was 6.6% — the largest such gap since 2012, according to a Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/homebuyer-discounts-below-list-price-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.Why it matters: Still-high mortgage rates and home prices have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidelined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="1c354fad-c3b0-4b7e-9579-5c8cf7eb838a" data-vars-headline="Portland homebuyers are scoring deals — but prices remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/01/mortgage-rates-home-prices-predictions-2026" target="_self">sidelined</a> many shoppers. But those who remain in the market are scoring the biggest deals in years.

How Dawson Park's origins contrast with its legacy

The Albina park became a cornerstone of Black Portland and civil rights activism.

Dawson Park has long been considered <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a cultural landmark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/27/historical-black-landmarks-portland" data-vars-content-id="5083da48-740d-4e64-8e0d-b7ba287e52f8" data-vars-headline="How Dawson Park&#x27;s origins contrast with its legacy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/27/historical-black-landmarks-portland" target="_self">a cultural landmark</a> for Black Portland — where civil rights rallies originated and prominent historical figures visited — but it was originally developed in the early 20th century to keep children segregated.The big picture: The park&#x27;s evolution reflects the Albina neighborhood&#x27;s transformation: Shaped by racial tension and molded by redlining and displacement, it became a symbolic home base for Black life in the city.

Portland's share of college graduates rises

A rising share of population with higher education can give a region an economic boost.

Education

The share of Portlanders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25 and older with a bachelor&#x27;s degree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/24/chart-du-jour-college-educated-movers" data-vars-content-id="ddd4d29b-a6b6-427f-9a62-e22ac1cd72ff" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s share of college graduates rises" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/24/chart-du-jour-college-educated-movers" target="_self">25 and older with a bachelor&#x27;s degree</a> or higher rose from about 40% to 43% between the 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 periods, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" data-vars-content-id="ddd4d29b-a6b6-427f-9a62-e22ac1cd72ff" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s share of college graduates rises" 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/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" target="_blank">new census data</a>.Why it matters: A rising share of college-educated adults can help reshape a metro area&#x27;s economic trajectory, workforce and competitiveness — a much-needed boost the Portland area <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="could use right now" data-vars-click-url="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/latest-report-shows-portland-economy-in-crisis-leaders-call-for-decisive-action/" data-vars-content-id="ddd4d29b-a6b6-427f-9a62-e22ac1cd72ff" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s share of college graduates rises" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portlandmetrochamber.com/resources/latest-report-shows-portland-economy-in-crisis-leaders-call-for-decisive-action/" target="_blank">could use right now</a>.

Jefferson High to absorb more students in PPS rezoning

The move ends a 15-year policy that allowed parents to choose where to send their kids.

Portland Public Schools board members approved a resolution this week to overhaul <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high school attendance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/26/high-school-enrollment-surge-portland" data-vars-content-id="fd15613c-97f7-42e4-9969-ccc898fac63a" data-vars-headline="Jefferson High to absorb more students in PPS rezoning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/26/high-school-enrollment-surge-portland" target="_self">high school attendance</a> boundaries in North and Northeast Portland, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a major shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/news/schools/2026/01/13/school-board-approves-plan-to-fill-jefferson-high-school/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="fd15613c-97f7-42e4-9969-ccc898fac63a" data-vars-headline="Jefferson High to absorb more students in PPS rezoning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/news/schools/2026/01/13/school-board-approves-plan-to-fill-jefferson-high-school/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">a major shift</a> set to begin in fall 2027. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="policy" data-vars-click-url="https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/915?meeting=724654" data-vars-content-id="fd15613c-97f7-42e4-9969-ccc898fac63a" data-vars-headline="Jefferson High to absorb more students in PPS rezoning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/915?meeting=724654" target="_blank">policy</a> effectively ends a 15-year &quot;dual assignment&quot; option that let many families decide whether to send their kids to Jefferson, Grant, Roosevelt or McDaniel high schools based on address.

International student enrollment dips in Oregon

International enrollment fell as visa issues and tuition hikes created new hurdles.

American universities enrolled fewer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/03/international-students-contribute-nearly-270-million-to-oregon-economy" data-vars-content-id="70feca41-3604-4e27-8bc0-6b3ef3ccb7a0" data-vars-headline="International student enrollment dips in Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/03/international-students-contribute-nearly-270-million-to-oregon-economy" target="_self">international students</a> this fall, the first full academic year to begin under President Trump&#x27;s second term.Why it matters: The Trump administration upended the spring semester for international students nationwide, raising questions about international student enrollment this autumn.

Why college is still worth it, monetarily

Fewer Americans say college is essential — but grads still outearn others by far.

The share of Americans who say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" data-vars-content-id="296469f3-d7a3-427d-845f-e842f71d9f17" data-vars-headline="Why college is still worth it, monetarily" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/09/college-blue-collar-gen-z" target="_self">college</a> is &quot;very important&quot; plummeted over the past decade, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Gallup" data-vars-click-url="https://news.gallup.com/poll/695003/perceived-importance-college-hits-new-low.aspx" data-vars-content-id="296469f3-d7a3-427d-845f-e842f71d9f17" data-vars-headline="Why college is still worth it, monetarily" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/695003/perceived-importance-college-hits-new-low.aspx" target="_blank">new Gallup</a> polling finds.Why it matters: College may not live up to the American Dream that it promised in the past, and there are other paths for success becoming more appealing for Gen Z, but in terms of lifetime earnings, a college degree is still incredibly important.

Student housing prices are rising in Portland

Students saw smaller rent hikes but still face big housing stress.

Student rents in Portland have risen more slowly than the region&#x27;s broader rental market over the past five years, but the gap still leaves many struggling with affordability, according to Moody&#x27;s data shared with Axios.Why it matters: Pricey student housing adds to the already-high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/17/college-cost-survey" data-vars-content-id="b6337b60-554c-4260-bd40-55a657627f16" data-vars-headline="Student housing prices are rising in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/17/college-cost-survey" target="_self">cost of college</a>, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has increased by nearly 30%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/28/undergrad-tuition-to-rise-again-at-all-oregons-public-universities-up-nearly-30-from-a-decade-ago/" data-vars-content-id="b6337b60-554c-4260-bd40-55a657627f16" data-vars-headline="Student housing prices are rising in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/28/undergrad-tuition-to-rise-again-at-all-oregons-public-universities-up-nearly-30-from-a-decade-ago/" target="_blank">has increased by nearly 30%</a> in Oregon over the last decade.

Portland high schools scramble after enrollment surge

Several high schools are facing an unexpected enrollment surge.

Several Portland high schools are facing higher than projected enrollment numbers this academic year, potentially leading to hundreds of students being placed in study halls as officials scramble to fill out their schedules with necessary electives.Why it matters: The surprise bump in enrollment bucks an ongoing trend of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shrinking student numbers and potential school closures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/09/12/oregon-school-closures-low-enrollment-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="429f3c60-6855-478e-a1e3-a66d2ad44a0c" data-vars-headline="Portland high schools scramble after enrollment surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/09/12/oregon-school-closures-low-enrollment-budget-cuts" target="_self">shrinking student numbers and potential school closures</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.

Multnomah County punts on Preschool for All changes

County commissioners sent a proposal back to an advisory group for further study.

Amid ongoing cost concerns surrounding Multnomah County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Preschool for All" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/10/multnomah-county-preschool-for-all-expansion-teacher-shortage-funding" data-vars-content-id="32343b28-1df5-4646-be98-7d7429947ecd" data-vars-headline="Multnomah County punts on Preschool for All changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/10/multnomah-county-preschool-for-all-expansion-teacher-shortage-funding" target="_self">Preschool for All</a> program, county commissioners opted last week to hold off on any moves that would change its funding structure.Why it matters: The program, passed by a sizable majority of voters in 2020, has come under criticism from Gov. Tina Kotek and others for imposing too high of a tax burden on Portland-area residents.

School cellphone ban proceeds in Oregon Legislature

The proposal is now in the Senate and awaits a floor vote.

The Oregon House advanced a controversial bill this week that would mandate bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones for students in public schools across the state.Why it matters: Supporters of the proposal — which passed the chamber on a bipartisan 36-21 vote Tuesday — say the ban aims to improve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="educational outcomes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/30/learning-proficiency-worsens" data-vars-content-id="0e257b7a-3a16-4b99-bbf0-de47e9a96a2f" data-vars-headline="School cellphone ban proceeds in Oregon Legislature" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/30/learning-proficiency-worsens" target="_self">educational outcomes</a> in a state struggling with proficiency, as well as address <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="youth mental health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/22/screen-time-bad-unhealthy-kids-mental-health" data-vars-content-id="0e257b7a-3a16-4b99-bbf0-de47e9a96a2f" data-vars-headline="School cellphone ban proceeds in Oregon Legislature" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/22/screen-time-bad-unhealthy-kids-mental-health" target="_self">youth mental health</a> issues.

Preschool for All's expansion faces roadblocks

Workforce shortages and future funding could put the program at risk of not meeting its goals.

Multnomah County&#x27;s Preschool for All plans to serve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="3,800 children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/education/multnomah-county-expands-preschool-for-all-program-funding/283-4361672c-a071-49bb-a1a9-87adff361b23" data-vars-content-id="425ab00f-4e1f-451f-9fc9-0971b9411db2" data-vars-headline="Preschool for All&#x27;s expansion faces roadblocks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kgw.com/article/news/education/multnomah-county-expands-preschool-for-all-program-funding/283-4361672c-a071-49bb-a1a9-87adff361b23" target="_blank">3,800 children</a> in the next school year — roughly 1,600 more than those enrolled now — but the program&#x27;s future is facing significant hurdles.The big picture: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="county audit" data-vars-click-url="https://multco.us/info/preschool-all-program-largely-achieving-its-equity-goals-needs-address-risks-expansion" data-vars-content-id="425ab00f-4e1f-451f-9fc9-0971b9411db2" data-vars-headline="Preschool for All&#x27;s expansion faces roadblocks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://multco.us/info/preschool-all-program-largely-achieving-its-equity-goals-needs-address-risks-expansion" target="_blank">county audit</a> released Wednesday found that while Preschool for All has met many of its equity goals (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="serving low-income" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/08/oregon-childcare-costs-expensive-more-than-college" data-vars-content-id="425ab00f-4e1f-451f-9fc9-0971b9411db2" data-vars-headline="Preschool for All&#x27;s expansion faces roadblocks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/08/oregon-childcare-costs-expensive-more-than-college" target="_self">serving low-income</a>, multilingual kids and families of color), its plan to provide universal access by 2030 is at risk.

Education 📚

Portland's share of college graduates rises

Jefferson High to absorb more students in PPS rezoning

Number du jour: 33.5%

International student enrollment dips in Oregon

Why college is still worth it, monetarily