Portland, Oregon Facts

location | annual report | climate | outdoor recreation | sports | culture | property taxes | state income taxes | everything else

Location

Northwestern Oregon, where the Columbia and Willamette rivers meet. The metropolitan area is made up of four counties: Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington in Oregon; and Clark County in Washington.

Population is 1.9 million, the largest metropolitan area in Oregon. Elevations vary from a few feet above sea level to 11,235 feet atop Mt. Hood. The State of Oregon web site is: www.oregon.gov

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Annual Report on Portland Neighborhoods

This link will take you to the annual "Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers" report published annually by Portland Monthly Magazine (March 2005) (link: www.portland-monthly.com). The chart rates all of the Portland neighborhoods (not the suburbs) for Real Estate Appreciation, Education, Population, Crime, Parks, Commute, and Services. This is a great magazine for anyone interested in the City of Portland. Annual Report on Portland Neighborhoods.

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Climate

Mild, with temperatures averaging 66 degrees in the summer and 38 degrees in the winter. The area gets approximately 37 inches of precipitation a year, most of which is rain. While Portland does get snow it is seldom more than a couple inches a year and rarely lasts more than one or two days. Weather Trends.

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Outdoor Recreation

Camping, fishing, hiking, river rafting, biking, snow skiing, wind surfing, and rock climbing. Portland has 9,400 acres of parks, including the smallest park in the world (Mill Ends Park) and the largest urban wilderness (Forest Park). Within an hours drive of downtown Portland are the ski slopes on Mt. Hood or the beautiful Oregon coast.

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Sports

The metropolitan area offers many spectator sports, from the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers to the WHL's Portland Winter Hawks. There are also running events, bicycle and auto races, pro/am golf tournaments, horse and greyhound dog racing and more.

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Culture

Numerous art galleries and museums. Portland boasts a world-class symphony, ballet and opera, as well as a number of theater groups and jazz clubs. The Metro Washington Park Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science & Industry are a must see. The Japanese Gardens, International Rose Test Gardens, and annual Rose Festival, are just a few of the many events held each year. This city boasts amazing displays of art and culture at the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon History Center, the historic Old Town District and Pittock Mansion. The calendar is packed with performances by the Oregon Symphony, the Oregon Ballet Theatre and the Portland Opera, as well as events like Cinco de Mayo (May) and the Rose Festival (June).

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Property Taxes

Oregon's property tax system is primarily a rate-based system with a limit on assessed value. The tax rate or 'mill-rate' is charged per $1000 of tax assessed value. The mill-rate varies from one community to another. In the Portland Metro area, mill-rates range from $14.00 to $20.30. Example: A home assessed at $242,000 with a mill-rate of $16.40, would owe annual property taxes of $3968.

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State Income Tax

The state income tax is 9% for those of you in the 28% tax bracket. But never fear, Oregon does not have a sales tax! You can actually write your check while waiting in line to pay. This applies to everything from cars to restaurants.

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Anything Else?

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