The West is home to fewer children than it was five years ago, according to new census data.

Why it matters: Portland's been grappling with this demographic shift for years — declining classroom enrollment, an aging population, slower population growth — and it could drastically reshape the local economy.

By the numbers: The West's under-18 population fell by more than 1 million, or 5.7%, between 2020 and 2025 — the largest decline of any U.S. region, according to new Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates reviewed by Axios.

• Nationally, the under-18 population fell 2.4% during the same period.
• The South was the only region to see growth in its child population, adding about 304,000 under-18 residents in that five-year period, fueled largely by migration from other parts of the country.

Zoom in: As Portland's child population continues to shrink, officials are adapting in order to serve fewer young families while preparing for an older population.

🏫 Schools: Enrollment in Portland Public Schools has dropped steadily since 2020, leading the district to confront severe budget shortfalls, school closures, classroom consolidation and cuts to special programs.

🍼 Child care: Changing demographics led Multnomah County to reduce its 2030 enrollment projections for its Preschool for All program by roughly 30% last year.

• Meanwhile, Oregon's child care system is already struggling under workforce shortages, high costs and a lack of day care facilities. Providers operate on thin margins and a smaller pool of children could make it harder for some centers to stay open.

💼 The economy: Fewer children today means fewer workers tomorrow. The Portland metro's natural population growth has nearly stalled — falling from 13,900 more births than deaths in 2001 to just 3,400 in 2024. That leaves the region increasingly dependent on migration to support its workforce and economy.

• Plus: As Portland's population ages and begins to retire, the imbalance between older and younger generations is likely to strain affordable housing, health care systems and family caregivers.

The bottom line: Whether Portland can attract and retain young families may become one of the region's defining economic challenges.

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LeBron James is on the move again, and suddenly every NBA city thinks it has a shot. Now it's our turn to pitch him on Portland.

Why it matters: Even at 41, James remains one of basketball's defining figures.

• He is the league's all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion and one of the only active players whose arrival could instantly alter the trajectory, relevance and national profile of a franchise.

The pitch: Can you imagine LeBron alongside Deni Avdija, Ja Morant and Dame? It would easily be the most electric Blazers team since the 2019 squad made the Western Conference Finals.

• Portland has long been known as the place young people go to retire. He's not that young, but we'd make an exception for an aging GOAT.
• Last time the King was looking for a new team, Blazers fans crowdfunded a billboard that read simply "LeBron, Dame needs a third option."

It's still true, though LeBron choosing Rip City remains far fetched at best.

Pitches from 18 other Axios Local cities

👮‍♀️ Backers of a ballot measure that would divert funds from the city's clean energy fund to hire more police officers collected more than 62,000 signatures, far more than the 40,000 needed to put the issue before voters in November. (OPB)

🔌 State regulators approved a plan to hike electricity rates for data centers by almost 30% while residential customers will pay a 1.3% decrease as part of a plan to shield residential customers from paying for industrial power use. (The Oregonian)

🌲 Along with books and movies, you can now borrow an Oregon State Parks parking pass from more than 80 different libraries across the state. (OPB)

🍸 Pour one out for the The Aviation American Gin Distillery.

• The 33,000-square-foot space in Northwest Portland, co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, has closed for good. (KOIN)

We've reached peak cherry season. To celebrate, six Portland-area ice cream shops are teaming up with Northwest cherry farmers for a limited-edition dessert crawl.

• There's also a chance to win a sweet grand prize (a fully stocked picnic basket) if you hit up all the spots.

😋 The lineup includes a s'mores "Thiccflurry" from Ice Queen, a scoop of chocolate cherry cheesecake from Kate's and Cloud City's mascarpone ice cream loaded with cherry sauce and rhubarb crisp.

• Plus: Cornet Custard has a cherries jubilee inspired by the classic French dessert, Sugarpine is swirling a cherry-inspired piña colada sundae and Pinolo Gelato is pairing dark cherries with crunchy cocoa nibs.

🍒 The intrigue: Milwaukie is the birthplace of the widely-beloved Bing cherry — known for its dark, red color and rich flavor — and horticulturist Ernest Wiegand is known for perfecting the maraschino by using Oregon's Royal Anne cherries.

So basically, by indulging in cherries this season you're honoring our state's history.