By Jake Thomas
jthomas@portlandobserver.com
New data released by Portland State University’s Population Research Center reveals that Oregon’s population continues to increase, but is doing so at a decreasing rate.
The Beaver State’s population jumped from 3,791,075 people in 2008 to 3,823,465 in 2009. The increase was only by 0.9 percent, which is the slowest rate of growth seen in Oregon since the beginning of decade.
Researchers looked at the “natural” increase of people (births minus deaths) and overall net migration.
Net migration fell by 40 percent from the previous year with only16,000 people coming to the Beaver State. Births fell by about 1,800.
The data also reveals that, unsurprisingly, the state’s numbers for employment, school enrollment, and building permits for new housing have decreased as well. However, the number of drivers’ license holders increased, but at a lower rate from previous years.
Oregon’s metropolitan areas increased in population, which represented a great deal of the state’s growth. Multnomah County saw 6,800 newcomers, and Deschutes in central Oregon added 3,690.
It is reserve