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Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch

Policy is just one piece as housing production overall slows.

Real Estate

Portland has been held up nationally as a model for building more affordable &quot;middle&quot; housing units, but recent data suggests a sharp slowdown in construction — a sign that policy is just one remedy for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="easing the city&#x27;s housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/28/portland-housing-unaffordable-middle-income" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/28/portland-housing-unaffordable-middle-income" target="_self">easing the city&#x27;s housing crisis</a>.The big picture: A recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/18/portland-housing-infill-ratio-duplexes/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc0MzI0ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzA3MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzQzMjQ4MDAsImp0aSI6ImYyOGEzOGExLTY1ZDUtNGMwNS1hNTE1LWQwYWQzOTUyNmZmNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI2LzAzLzE4L3BvcnRsYW5kLWhvdXNpbmctaW5maWxsLXJhdGlvLWR1cGxleGVzLyJ9.t6_eWGOgooL-IHqkzQK0VznNvYD9r3k6-0IFrlowZAc" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/18/portland-housing-infill-ratio-duplexes/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzc0MzI0ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzc1NzA3MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NzQzMjQ4MDAsImp0aSI6ImYyOGEzOGExLTY1ZDUtNGMwNS1hNTE1LWQwYWQzOTUyNmZmNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9idXNpbmVzcy8yMDI2LzAzLzE4L3BvcnRsYW5kLWhvdXNpbmctaW5maWxsLXJhdGlvLWR1cGxleGVzLyJ9.t6_eWGOgooL-IHqkzQK0VznNvYD9r3k6-0IFrlowZAc" target="_blank">Washington Post report</a> highlighted Portland&#x27;s success in spurring middle housing units (duplexes, fourplexes, accessory dwelling units and &quot;cottage clusters&quot;) through its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Residential Infill Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/rip" data-vars-content-id="eb89a1cb-fb61-4d2b-b89e-ca3bf5fea816" data-vars-headline="Middle housing could help ease Portland housing crunch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/rip" target="_blank">Residential Infill Project</a> (RIP), which loosened local zoning laws to incentivize denser development on a single lot.

Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies

Organizers expect millions to join nationwide protests, with dozens planned locally.

News

Organizers across the U.S. are planning more than 3,000 local events Saturday for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" data-vars-content-id="fbe76952-bedd-4b5c-852b-10d3e28673eb" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" target="_self">No Kings</a> Day of Nonviolent Action, including protests and rallies in and around Portland.The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect Saturday&#x27;s demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="fbe76952-bedd-4b5c-852b-10d3e28673eb" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" data-vars-content-id="fbe76952-bedd-4b5c-852b-10d3e28673eb" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected in Portland No Kings rallies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" target="_self">October</a>.

Portland bucks national immigration slump

New Census data shows immigration falling nationwide, but Portland saw slight growth.

Population growth is slowing in most counties nationwide amid a massive drop in immigration, new U.S. Census data shows. <ul><li>Portland, however, ever so slightly bucked the trend.</li></ul>Why it matters: The new data offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America&#x27;s demographic makeup.

What Portland homeowners do for a living

Rising costs reshape who can buy homes in Portland, with educators leading.

Those in the education and social services sectors are most likely to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" data-vars-content-id="424fc0ab-e71f-494b-88fe-e4aedea7cd6a" data-vars-headline="What Portland homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/affordable-homes-metro-income" target="_self">own homes</a> in Portland, according to a new analysis shared exclusively with Axios.Why it matters: Who can afford to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own a home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/27/home-down-payment-time-2025" data-vars-content-id="424fc0ab-e71f-494b-88fe-e4aedea7cd6a" data-vars-headline="What Portland homeowners do for a living" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/27/home-down-payment-time-2025" target="_self">own a home</a> is shifting — reflecting rising housing costs and changing job geography, per the National Association of Realtors analysis of census data.

The best and worst times for Portland Thanksgiving 2025 travel

It&#x27;s time for Portland road and sky warriors to start thinking about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgivin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/11/14/things-to-do-thanksgiving-weekend-dc" data-vars-content-id="4c10c909-f77a-4d83-9e8a-4f07c5cc76bb" data-vars-headline="The best and worst times for Portland Thanksgiving 2025 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/11/14/things-to-do-thanksgiving-weekend-dc" target="_self">Thanksgivin</a>g travel.Why it matters: There&#x27;ll be a record-breaking 82 million Americans leaving town for Thanksgiving this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/" data-vars-content-id="4c10c909-f77a-4d83-9e8a-4f07c5cc76bb" data-vars-headline="The best and worst times for Portland Thanksgiving 2025 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/" target="_blank">AAA</a> predicts.<ul><li>At least 73 million people — roughly 90% of all Thanksgiving travelers — will go by car.</li></ul>

The hidden gems at Portland International Airport

Catch a movie, pet a llama and grab a doughnut before your flight.

There&#x27;s no disputing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/25/portland-airport-new-terminal-pdx" data-vars-content-id="294f263f-3d76-47e8-8015-620a0d5b786a" data-vars-headline="The hidden gems at Portland International Airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/25/portland-airport-new-terminal-pdx" target="_self">our airport</a> is one of the best in the world, but some of the things that make it great aren&#x27;t so obvious.Why it matters: While the soaring timber ceiling, living trees and award-winning design will catch your eye, the airport is full of hidden gems, too.

Shoes can soon stay on at PDX security checkpoints

Travelers at airports across the country can now skip the shoe shuffle in general security lines.

Travelers at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/25/portland-airport-new-terminal-pdx" data-vars-content-id="b16ad374-8744-45ce-9d2d-b6ae138ec76b" data-vars-headline="Shoes can soon stay on at PDX security checkpoints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/25/portland-airport-new-terminal-pdx" target="_self">Portland International Airport</a> will soon be able to keep their shoes on while they pass through security — no <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PreCheck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/08/02/tsa-precheck-clear-privacy" data-vars-content-id="b16ad374-8744-45ce-9d2d-b6ae138ec76b" data-vars-headline="Shoes can soon stay on at PDX security checkpoints" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/08/02/tsa-precheck-clear-privacy" target="_self">PreCheck</a> required.Why it matters: Passengers stopping to remove their shoes at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints can slow down lines — and most people would rather skip walking through airports in socks or bare feet, even briefly.

Portland airport to see busy weekend of Thanksgiving travel

AAA projects a record year for travel around the holiday.

Record numbers of people are expected to take to the skies, roads and rails this Thanksgiving across the country — and Portland is expecting big crowds, too.Driving the news: Roughly 80 million Americans are expected to travel over the holiday weekend this year, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA projections" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/11/nearly-80-million-americans-expected-to-travel-over-thanksgiving/" data-vars-content-id="2f2c1c1a-e707-4780-9bd8-064fae1ced90" data-vars-headline="Portland airport to see busy weekend of Thanksgiving travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/11/nearly-80-million-americans-expected-to-travel-over-thanksgiving/" target="_blank">AAA projections</a>, with some 350,000 travelers flying in and out of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/25/portland-airport-new-terminal-pdx" data-vars-content-id="2f2c1c1a-e707-4780-9bd8-064fae1ced90" data-vars-headline="Portland airport to see busy weekend of Thanksgiving travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/25/portland-airport-new-terminal-pdx" target="_self">Portland International Airport</a>.

See inside Portland International Airport's new terminal

The $2 billion renovation includes a fresh batch of the iconic, '80s-era carpet design.

Air travelers with renovation fatigue, rejoice! After undergoing construction since 2020, Portland International Airport will debut its new, $2 billion main terminal next month.Why it matters: The long corridor of detours between concourses C and D is going away — which will make navigating the airport less of a never-ending walk to your gate.

Bend, Portland among top local destinations for Fourth of July travel

AAA advises hitting the road in the morning or later at night to avoid peak traffic.

Be prepared for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic and delays" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/06/downtown-traffic-slow-list" data-vars-content-id="9f4c7411-9446-4bbe-a8a6-fead90bba56a" data-vars-headline="Bend, Portland among top local destinations for Fourth of July travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/06/downtown-traffic-slow-list" target="_self">traffic and delays</a> if you&#x27;re traveling during the Fourth of July holiday.Why it matters: Bend is the most popular destination in the region for the Fourth of July, per AAA Oregon/Idaho, followed by Portland.

Oregon roads and airways will be busy this Memorial Day

More people are expected on roads and airways this holiday.

Travel

Memorial Day weekend marks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the start of the summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/06/hotter-drier-summer-oregon-wildfires-drought" data-vars-content-id="c0305974-8765-4896-ac32-7ddb6e996e50" data-vars-headline="Oregon roads and airways will be busy this Memorial Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/06/hotter-drier-summer-oregon-wildfires-drought" target="_self">the start of the summer</a> travel season — and in Oregon, it&#x27;s expected to break records.Why it matters: AAA predicts travel over the weekend will increase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="4% year-over-year" data-vars-click-url="https://info.oregon.aaa.com/aaa-nearly-44-million-americans-including-600000-oregonians-to-travel-for-memorial-day/" data-vars-content-id="c0305974-8765-4896-ac32-7ddb6e996e50" data-vars-headline="Oregon roads and airways will be busy this Memorial Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://info.oregon.aaa.com/aaa-nearly-44-million-americans-including-600000-oregonians-to-travel-for-memorial-day/" target="_blank">4% year-over-year</a> and rank as the second busiest on record and the busiest in nearly two decades.

PDX's on-time departure scorecard

More than 85% of flights out of Portland International Airport left on time last year.

Despite the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/08/portland-new-pdx-terminal-delayed-august" data-vars-content-id="b907df54-3ee1-4913-84ed-e0af9f6030dd" data-vars-headline="PDX&#x27;s on-time departure scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/08/portland-new-pdx-terminal-delayed-august" target="_self">ongoing renovation</a>, Portland International Airport had an above-average on-time performance last year compared to other large U.S. airports, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.By the numbers: PDX ranks fifth out of 104 large U.S. airports for annual on-time departures in 2023, according to the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transtats.bts.gov/homepage.asp" data-vars-content-id="b907df54-3ee1-4913-84ed-e0af9f6030dd" data-vars-headline="PDX&#x27;s on-time departure scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transtats.bts.gov/homepage.asp" target="_blank">latest data</a>.

Axios Seattle

🛄 Air travel is busier than ever

Air travel is busier than ever

Line chart showing TSA checkpoint passenger volumes. Each line shows a 7-day average for an individual year from 2020 to 2024. 2024 shows the highest passenger volumes for a Thanksgiving travel since before 2020.