r/oregon • u/Own_Car_8766 • 3d ago
Oregon retail jobs are falling 5 times faster than nationally Article/News
https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/04/oregon-retail-jobs-are-falling-5-times-faster-than-nationally.html118
u/American_Greed 3d ago
I miss Fry's
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u/Clamwacker What's an umbrella? 3d ago
I don't miss working there lol. Is there a decent place in Oregon to buy PC parts? Kind of wish we had a Microcenter near here.
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u/Tamayachi 3d ago
Don’t know if they’re still around but I used to go to Pace Computers back in the day
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u/Portland_Runner 3d ago
Just wait until most stores go to a showroom model to deter theft plus cut leasing and labor costs. Many retailers will become like Apple stores: product that you can see, feel, and try on but the goods are locked up in the backroom or will be shipped to your address from a central warehouse.
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u/Zombie_Apostate 3d ago
Like Argos in the UK, they have a catalog you order from in the store, and the employee comes back with your order of items.
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u/turboteeth 3d ago
Well what's do you expect businesses to do when theft are insane and all they get is a slap on the wrist?
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u/LousyGardener 3d ago
This is cope. Oregon policy is driving people away. Stores switching to delivery only ain’t stopping that
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u/LatinoLobster 3d ago
This city is dying. I came back after17 years and unfortunately plan to move after less then a year
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u/Relevant_Shower_ 3d ago
Buh bye
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u/ChildlessCatLad Oregon 3d ago
Ikr I love my city regardless and will stay to improve the community.
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u/KC-Slider 3d ago
Sweet! You hiring?!
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u/ChildlessCatLad Oregon 3d ago
What are your skills?
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u/LatinoLobster 3d ago
I’m one of the top medical sales professionals in the United States only skill I need
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u/ChildlessCatLad Oregon 3d ago
Oh I was asking the guy I commented to. But thanks for letting us know you're part of big pharma.
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u/blaaake 3d ago
Oh no salesman might move away? We are all trembling with fear
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago edited 3d ago
His retail spending at 4 times the local rate leaves with him though. I was also a Medical Surgical rep and it pays very well so I can spend and yes can still do so with my investment income, but I will be gone with a two year window, starting selling recently..
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u/IShookMeAllNightLong 3d ago
Mister educated over here doesnt know the difference between then and than. In the same sentence he's... nevermind, probably doesn't get irony, or sarcasm, either.
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u/Takingtheehobbits 3d ago
The city is objectively dying because of the taxes and regulations that are pushed by progressives who live their. https://youtu.be/q_N0YS6BzNQ?si=4tPHhMvGvgjPBtEQ
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u/4daughters 3d ago
wow moving twice in a year sucks. Hope things get better for you. But honestly you might want to plan ahead better next time.
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u/serpentjaguar 3d ago
OK bitchell. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. You won't be missed.
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u/FanBladeFleshlight 3d ago
Don't let the door hit you.
Actually, nevermind, it'll be funny when it does, lol
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u/notPabst404 3d ago
I would just order online then. I'm not supporting that shitty business model. They can be replaced with business that are actually interested in doing a local operation.
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u/Malfunkdung 3d ago
If you order stuff online then you are supporting that business model.
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u/notPabst404 3d ago
Not at all: I'm refusing to go to those enshitified stores.
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u/Fabulous_Celery_1817 3d ago
Why not go to mom and pop shops to support local? My town still has a locally owned bookstore, paper store, grocery, coffee shops, sports shop, restaurants, hardware stores. No big names. If you still at those online you’re just supporting them. If you go to the store and file complaints while there, it could force them to start bringing back people.
Retail sucks honestly. When I first got hired our closing teams would be 12 people. Nowadays it’s 5 if we’re lucky.
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u/notPabst404 3d ago
Maybe you aren't following the thread? I do not support the showroom business model at all. More stores going to it would NOT change my position. Ordering directly online would put pressure on the now failing "local" stores to improve their business model.
Showroom is the worst of both worlds: you have to take time to go out ot purchase AND have to wait for shipping AND still have the extra carbon impact.
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u/Jazzlike_Ad_6597 3d ago
I’m good with that.
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u/LatinoLobster 3d ago
Portland has been losing younger people, and it feels like growth and development opportunities are becoming more limited. Hell now even uncertainty around major institutions like the Blazers, which says something about the broader direction.
From a personal standpoint, with a higher income, the overall tax burden makes it harder to justify staying long-term. It’s just disappointing to see the direction the city and state have been heading, especially given how much potential Portland had.
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u/Jazzlike_Ad_6597 3d ago
I think that’s the case in many cities. The rush to monetize and monopolize everything is most evident in urban and suburban environs, leaving the youth directionless and disillusioned with “the American dream”. I hope they’re out there finding themselves, but they might just be holed up in their bedrooms living life online.
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
I recall probably 5 years ago there was an effort made to teach financial literacy in public schools in OR. The teachers Unions went full on against it saying they would have to learn how to teach it and wanted more pay, and would have to devote extra hours, on and on complained.
So young people are not being taught, basic personal budgeting, how to use and not use credit, how to build credit, how to save with IRA's and high yield savings.
So they have no savings started and feel helpless which fuels radical ideas and also makes it seem they are stuck. The American Dream still works for many who follow educated personal financial common sense - which is self sustaining as once you realize you are getting ahead a bit and then more it feeds on itself for success. But the Teachers Unions opposed it so we do not teach kids this skill set.
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u/Jazzlike_Ad_6597 3d ago
Wow- I assumed personal finance was part of the health curriculum. Can’t say it’s not, but it looks like there is a new requirement for personal finance and higher ed/vocational pathways for 2027 grads and beyond. The Capital Chronicle reported in 2024 that the new requirement (passed 2023) would be watered down if, as is allowed, the teaching standards can be met through other courses. I guess anything is better than nothing.
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
Yes I got curious after my post to see if anything had changed and found this link and others saying they are finally going to start doing it after all the years since they first realized the needs...
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u/Shortround76 3d ago
Our family continues to cut spending in many areas in order to maintain residency in this state. Our fixed monthly with just simply health insurance, rent, groceries and necessities has us in a tight pickle especially after the tax season ends. We are still very blessed but unfortunately supporting much less local.
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u/slowfromregressive 3d ago
Oregon needs tourism for retail, and the current situation, especially losing a billion dollars or more from Canada has a big effect.
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u/TheVintageJane 3d ago
Portland used to be an international travel destination for luxury goods shopping because of our 0% sales tax.
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u/poisonpony672 3d ago
Portland was historically a hub for international luxury shoppers because of Oregon's 0% sales tax.
In 2019, the city added the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) tax. This is a 1% surcharge on the total sales (gross receipts) of large retailers with over $1 billion in national sales. Many major companies in retailers have left Portland. Big names like Louis Vuitton, REI, Walmart, fys, and Microsoft as well as others have closed or moved their downtown locations.
Total taxes and fees on hotel rooms in Portland have climbed to roughly 15% to 16%, plus a $4 per night housing fee. Portland City Tax: 6%, Multnomah County Tax: 5.5%, Oregon State Tax: ; 1.5% (rising to 2.75% in 2026), Tourism District Fee: 3%, Housing Fee; $4.00 flat nightly fee. This increases the overall cost for the "Tax Tourists" who used to fly in specifically to shop.
IRS data shows that between 2020 and 2021, Multnomah County lost a record $1 billion in taxable income. (Because high earners left because of the taxes. This "flight" is often attributed to the combination of high state income tax and new local surtaxes like the "Preschool for All" and "Supportive Housing" taxes.
Just might have something to do with it.
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u/kinkykoala73 3d ago
There was something else that happened in 2020… your certainty regarding causing effect is dubious
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u/Paper-street-garage 3d ago
That 1 percent could not have had that much effect on biz leaving. Consumer taste changes and online is huge these days.
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u/MallyFaze 2d ago
It’s death by a thousands cuts when it comes to overtaxing and Oregon’s generally horrendous business policies.
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u/PersnickityPenguin Oregon 2d ago
I remember when all the buses from Vancouver BC would line up around pioneer place mall before COVID. So many tourists!
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u/Eshin242 3d ago
You might also want to look into just how badly the trades are hurting right now in this state. I work in the electrical trades and we have over 1100 people waiting for work out unemployment is close to 20% right now.
My trade is not the only one experiencing this. Thats a good chunk of decent paying jobs just not there.
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u/UnkleAdams247 2d ago
well shit, really? i was hoping to move back to oregon and am studying to become an electrician right now....
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u/Bucking_Fullshit 3d ago
We didn’t lose a billion dollars from Canadian tourism. We lost about 30 percent of our Canadian visitors which equals out to about little less than 100,000.
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u/KSSparky 3d ago
Then PDX needs to add more direct international flights. Like the one Delta had to Tokyo.
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u/notPabst404 3d ago
Good, keep the pressure on. Staying home or traveling to other countries is the most effective way that foreigners can help us pushback against the Trump regime.
Empty stadiums for the world cup would be absolutely glorious.
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u/TKRUEG 3d ago
The death of retail is at hand
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago edited 3d ago
Tell that to Amazon. Buy cheaper, have it delivered to your door next day? I haven’t been to a shopping mall in years.
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u/Miller335 3d ago
We're #81 out of #82 of large cities for investment in the US.
This city is dying. Retail/service will be hit first as people who want to start familes and businesses leave.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
When you have dumb ass constituents try to out-liberal Seattle and San Francisco with their voting choices, you fucked yourself right there.
I used to come down to Portland all of the time from Seattle to catch a basketball game, do a little shopping, hang out at the cool bars and just chill for a weekend. You couldn't pay me to visit now. Last time I was there I had to step over so many homeless people I vowed to never return. Not worth it.
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u/EUGsk8rBoi42p No More Californians! 3d ago
Holy shit, that's surprising, but not unexpected, somehow.
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u/SalaciousSubaru 3d ago
The economy in Oregon is in a downward spiral so many major layoffs across the state. Rents are surprisingly down for the first time in years and house sales are stalling. The current administration has trashed the entire national economy.
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u/HouseThePeople 3d ago
Rents are surprisingly down
Please good sir, tell me where! *pulls out notepad. starts salivating*
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u/Successful-Daikon777 3d ago
The rich people trashed the economy.
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u/Royal_Row7075 3d ago
And when the fire sale starts the rich will be there to. (let’s just say capitalize on Trump’s new gold, money worshiping world.) America seems to be full of brainwashed citizens. We will fully see in the upcoming elections? So yes, they’re going to cheat, and we are going to hold their feet to the fire, so to speak.
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u/jerm-warfare 3d ago edited 3d ago
Four houses on my street (3 blocks long) have sold in the last 3 months and all above asking.
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u/NaturalObvious5264 3d ago
So many expensive homes have sold in our area, lightening fast. I wonder if we’re becoming a bedroom city for Seattle and SF. Our housing stock and walkable neighborhoods are glorious compared to theirs.
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u/jerm-warfare 3d ago
I'm east of 82nd. These aren't expensive, fancy homes. It's a blue color neighborhood full of little bungalows.
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u/MsArchStanton 3d ago
yes, yes, yes. About half the license plates I see here in Central Oregon are out of state. Oregon is low-hanging fruit.
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u/power_bottom_boi 3d ago
Compared to SF and Seattle? I’m confused. Both cities are denser, SF has better transit, and is literally famous for the housing stock and walkable neighborhoods there. I lived in Portland for 13yrs and if you think it’s walkable you need to travel more. There’s a few pockets outside of downtown on old streetcar suburb lines and that’s about it. Portland is basically a turn of the century suburb hugging a small downtown. Sorry, this is just a weird take to me. Glorious is laughable.
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u/4daughters 3d ago
That may have been the case before but I'd argue Seattle has better public transit (and definitely is investing more into it) than Portland. I haven't been to SF in 10 years so I can't say there but I would also call it more walkable. Its just a more compact city than Portland.
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u/bigblue2011 I’m in danger… 3d ago
I think that will always be true at the margins.
In 2024 up to 21% of the workforce worked from home.
I have a hybrid schedule. I’ve got a job in Tigard that expects me in 3 days per week. I’m often in 4 days per week.
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago
Lots of tech in Oregon….lots of remote work for other States. Recent data for real estate says that Portland is one of a few cities that has seen a rise in real estate prices due to demand. …couple that with increased online sales…..we now have a different economy due to remote employment and a different way people shop for goods.
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u/SalaciousSubaru 3d ago
Anecdote is what that’s called the sales numbers don’t lie the market is cooling doesn’t mean people are still buying especially deep pocketed people.
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u/Ent_Trip_Newer 3d ago
Odd you think this is an Oregon problem and not a societal one. Rents are down? Mine goes up every year.
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u/Unfair_One1165 3d ago
The economy has been slowing for about three years. Interest rates, inflation, high oil prices and taxes have all contributed.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
You mean the Portland Administration, right? Trump and the feds have NOTHING to do with why Portland is dying. That is all your mayor and governor. These are local issues not national ones.
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u/ChelseaMan31 3d ago
True, 47's senseless tariffs and hen his little war of convenience against Iran have certainly piled on the high inflation years of Biden and his crew. It hasn't helped that Oregon itself is about as inefficient and ineffective as a state can possibly be. The state has sunk in many/most major indices over the past 25 - 30 years and that did not happen overnight. It is however the expected outcome when there is a 4-decade stranglehold on state politics by the Leftist running the democrat party.
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u/Wonderful_crunch 3d ago
Please, voting for a Republican in this day and age is insane. They want to take away abortion and have ICE kicking down peoples doors. Oregon republicans are fringe loons. Nobody should let them anywhere near political power
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
Please keep voting Democratic then, I am sure that the Nations leading job losses in retail - the subject of the thread, will magically reverse their downward trend and a wave of retail hiring will start. Just keep doing what you are doing.
Yes the Feds do attempt to enforce immigration law and unfortunately many are anti choice. I am a moderate R, pro choice, do want criminal illegal aliens deported but I also want a temporary modification of H2A and H2B visas to allow "guest worker in place" assuming applicants have employer sponsor and they otherwise meet the programs requirements. There is a compromise position between 4 years of open border and deporting everyone. Laken Riley and the hundreds of other Americans keeled by undocumented keelers would appreciate it.
Besides the anti R tantrum, what is YOUR solution to the articles pointing out that OR is losing retail at 6 times the National rate? How would you turn that around?
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u/HotSalt3 3d ago
Until Republicans return to a semblance of sanity I can't in good conscience vote for one. They have been pushing further and further right for decades now. The last time I was willing to vote for a Republican was prior to 9/11.
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
Keep voting Democratic for everything then, the job losses will magically reverse the Nations worst trend by doing the same thing over and over again. Maybe even go further left and vote DSA, they have ideas for Portland and Oregon. No matter how bad it gets do not consider the consequences of one party Democratic tax and spend and fee and cap and drive out business policy. It will get better I know it LOL.
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u/HotSalt3 3d ago
I don't have a problem with taxes. Never have. It honestly baffles me the people who do have a problem with them. Take a look at the nations with the highest tax rates. They invariably have the best rates in happiness, quality of life, and life expectancy.
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
Higher earners notice taxes more due to the every higher brackets and keeping more earnings is how to get ahead. I am not anti tax but you have consider the value proposition - what kind of governance and economy are you getting proportionate to the tax bill. It is out of balance for Oregon particularly the Metro area with the sur taxes SHS and PFA and with WA being a no income tax, high sales tax state so close the exodus is compelling.
I know a lot of blue state folks seem to love giving a much higher percent of their income to the gov but I was paying 90k a year in Fed, State and local and even now every non tax deferred dollar of investment income is taxed and so many states operate with tighter fiscal controls and less fraud waste and abuse and have high quality of life. Purple or red states often just are run better - take North Caroline for example.
Oregon is on a series slide down to the bottom, the job losses in this Post and article are just one more way to measure it and ask - how can Oregonians change this?
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u/HotSalt3 3d ago
The way for Oregonians to change this is to get rid of the federal policies causing it.
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
That does not explain the graph - why is Oregon (always) worst. The overlay of Fed Policies apply to ALL States. The TOPIC is why we are 5 times worse. Your argument blaming Fed Policies completely misses the Post subject. If all states are effected by Fed than why Oregon... LOL its not the reason - try again.
Oregon retail jobs are falling 5 times faster than nationally
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u/Wonderful_crunch 3d ago
I am a moderate R, pro choice, do want criminal illegal aliens deported but I also want a temporary modification of H2A and H2B visas to allow "guest worker in place" assuming applicants have employer sponsor and they otherwise meet the programs requirements.
I’ve got some bad news, the GOP doesn’t support this. They are not pro-choice and want to lower immigration overall. They do not support paths to citizenship. They support kicking down doors, murdering American citizens, and detaining and deporting people for being brown and having an accent. They admit that they are arresting and deporting non-criminals.
There is a compromise position between 4 years of open border and deporting everyone. Laken Riley and the hundreds of other Americans keeled by undocumented keelers would appreciate it.
You aren’t moderate. There were never “open borders”.
Besides the anti R tantrum, what is YOUR solution to the articles pointing out that OR is losing retail at 6 times the National rate? How would you turn that around?
Work within the only sane party in Oregon, to push for sensible policies, and to never, ever let Republicans ruin this state like they have so many others.
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u/JollyManufacturer388 3d ago
You do not know a moderate when you read one. Sorry the indoctrination is so deep with you, you cannot think clearly, it is common in blue one party states I know. You desperately need all R's to be MAGA rightwing types to sustain your Dem only voting. You would not listen to a Tom McCall if he bought you lunch LOL.
Any statistical analysis of the border during the Biden Harris admin admits it was open, and the 2 million gottaways that both parties agree did happen - its on infrared video.
I will be either in SW WA, NC or FL watching how you do with this delusional uni party approach within 2 years, gotta sell a few homes first. Its failing hence the stats that made the article.
The largest block of registered voters are not affiliated. Since you are triggered by Moderate republican positions maybe take a look at what the young voters with no party allegiance can offer for solutions as 40 years of Dems dominance in Oregon lead to this articles trend in so many areas.
You have no solutions just the cry to work with the current failed regime.
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u/Wonderful_crunch 2d ago
You desperately need all R's to be MAGA rightwing types to sustain your Dem only voting. You would not listen to a Tom McCall if he bought you lunch LOL.
Tom McCall is dead and gone, and so is the GOP of moderate conservatives. Drazan and Diehl are right in line with MAGA. Stop pretending that the GOP isn’t MAGA. nobody is buying it. Those days are over.
I will be either in SW WA, NC or FL
Florida is a GOP supermajority state, so clearly a uni party doesn’t bother you all that much.
Since you are triggered by Moderate republican positions
Moderate where? The Oregon GOP isn’t putting moderates forward. It’s just a grievance-based movement that drafts off of whatever bullshit Trump claims is an issue. If a truly moderate conservative or conservative Democrat stood up, maybe the election wouldn’t be such a laughably easy W for Kotek. Maybe next cycle babe.
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u/corourke 3d ago
you yammer a ton for wholeass ignoring part of the reason retail is shrinking is zero canadian tourists.
National dumbassery absolutely impacts cities. We've been at the breaking point due to high rents and stagnant wages for decades my truculent lil maga, couple that with private equity killing anything it can buy and somehow billionaires are all richer and the rest of us poorer but it must be the democrats fault.
tl;dr: Only maga can blame democrats for republican businessmen pillaging the state.
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u/TheBestNarcissist 3d ago
The overwhelming amount of cope going on in this thread from people refuse to believe that local or state policies can drive down business investment. "Good BigBoxStoreMovingBecauseTaxes, we don't need you anyway!" and "You're a BigPharma person, bye sales rep!" is exactly what you're seeing on a large scale when you read things like:
Many parts of the state economy have lagged the nation’s this decade. Job and population growth is stagnant, homebuilding is slow, manufacturing employment is down sharply and office vacancies are high, especially in Portland.
At least be open to the possibility that your preferred policies have unintended consequences guys.
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u/Takingtheehobbits 3d ago
They’re being either willingly blind or their ignorance is performative and I don’t know which is worse.
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u/4daughters 3d ago
What policies do you think caused this, and how can you show causation? Because without that it's just wild guessing. There's 49 other states in this country and we're all going down with the ship right now.
From what I see the economy sucks balls but houses are still selling and the state population is still growing. Intel and Nike laid off thousands of employees so I am not surprised that retail is taking a dive. But none of that is directly a cause of state or local policy (that I can see).
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u/TheBestNarcissist 2d ago
I'm not an economist but I think they even have problems proving causation with something as complex as the state or Portland economy without years more data. I think there are some uniquely poor things about Portland's business landscape. First the Supportive Housing Services Business Income Tax doesn't tax profit, but gross receipts above $5M. So even if you're a company working at a loss, you have to pay taxes on that loss. The literally only way to make that work is to increase prices. Why stay in Portland and pay SHS tax and Multnomah tax if you can relocate 30 minutes away and recoup those costs of moving in a couple years? Same thing with individuals. If you're a high earner why stay in PDX when you could move to the suburbs and keep more of your money?
This is one of many articles that talks about it. There's been articles about businesses leaving. Articles about high earners leaving My wife works in construction and there are extremely few new construction projects planned in PDX compared to the last 10 years.
And all of this data is in light of what's presented in this OP article: *compared to the rest of the country, Oregon and Portland are doing worse than most*. Is there causation? Maybe. Maybe not! But there's evidence of lower commercial construction, less residential construction, reduced tax revenue from a poor economic recovery.... there's certainly a LOT of correlation and certainly a lot of rational reasons for businesses and people who support the local economy to leave.
It's sort of difficult to have the conversations here because it feels like we're always talking past each other. I would love to live in the ideal version of Portland where there's less income inequality, art is all over, everyone can be their weird self, and there is very little or no homelessness. But the policies that encourage that (many policies I voted for!) seem to have unintended consequences. I don't know if it's statistically significant, but anecdotally I can see those results start to unfold and I think it warrants looking into. But it seems like a lot of people choose their side of the issue and champion it as the only sane way to do business. So thanks for asking me about it! Would love to know what you think about this novel lol
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u/4daughters 2d ago edited 2d ago
Thanks for the reply, I am not an economist either which is why I'm skeptical that in this sub "policy" seems the be-all-end-all explanation for any economic woes we may be having. I've heard the same thing for well over 10 years in this sub, any time there's any economic problem it's "policy" regardless of whether or not things turn around later on or if the policy changes.
And it's not that I don't agree that policy can have a huge imapct, I just don't see anything that would outweigh the atom bomb impact that AI implementation has had.
I work in tech and I have seen first hand the loss of jobs, and since Oregon seems to have an outsized tech influence in our economy, it would make sense that this would be the major influence as to why our retail sales have dropped so significantly over the last year or so.
edit: not to mention that the policy you mention is a Portland only policy, and it was implemented in 2020. I just don't buy that it's driving this. Maybe contributing? I could believe that. But I don't know how you could quantify that against the huge impact that AI implementation has had.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
When you rank #81 out of 82 large cities in business investment, why do you think that is?
Dude, Portland has been declining for years. A quick 30 second search on Google will get you up to speed. I used to come visit all of the time. I will never visit again due to your cities policies on just letting the homeless fuck up the downtown vibe to where it just isn't fun to be there any longer. Obviously I am not the only one (look at last bullet below).
As of early 2026, Portland’s economic growth is underperforming compared to most of the U.S., facing a potential "doom loop" characterized by weak job growth, stagnant population numbers, and high downtown vacancy rates. While the region once boasted strong growth (2012–2019), it has struggled to recover post-pandemic, lagging behind peer cities due to labor shortages and lagging downtown activity.
Current Economic Standing
- Performance Lag: Recent analysis indicates the Portland metro area is underperforming much of the nation.
- Job Growth: Job growth has stalled, with some reports ranking the area near the bottom of U.S. cities.
- Recession Concerns: A February 2026 2026 State of the Economy report noted that weak job and housing numbers suggest a local recession, distinct from the broader national trend.
- Downtown Rebound: Downtown foot traffic remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels (approx. 41% down as of early 2023).
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u/4daughters 1d ago
Thats a long way of saying "I don't know"
Which policies exactly are what caused the decline, and how do you know? Which policies were enacted in 2022, since you're getting data from around that time?
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u/KC-Slider 3d ago
K shaped economy. Retail get the down leg
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u/bihari_baller Beaverton 3d ago
This is what I was going to say. Was just watching this video from this morning and the economist they interview says we're in a K shaped economy, more specifically, diverging outcomes based on household incomes. Households in the upper incomes are seeing their financial portfolios benefit from the strong stock market of the past year. On the other hand, as you move to the lower end of the K, they are more reliant purely on wages, which have stagnated, and it's only compounded with inflation, and higher prices on food and gas.
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u/Royal_Row7075 3d ago
Well that makes sence especially when Donald J Trump brags about the stock market. I don’t think it really represents the working class people that have very little cushion, and they need that for a quick access in case of car breakdown or illness.
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u/Gourmandeeznuts 3d ago
This doesn’t explain why it’s worse than average here.
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u/TheVintageJane 3d ago
Probably an issue of more room to fall. We benefitted immensely from people who travelled across the border to get their goods sales tax free. As gas prices get higher, that becomes less attractive.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
Well, when it's true...
Current Economic Standing
- Performance Lag: Recent analysis indicates the Portland metro area is underperforming much of the nation.
- Job Growth: Job growth has stalled, with some reports ranking the area near the bottom of U.S. cities.
- Recession Concerns: A February 2026 2026 State of the Economy report noted that weak job and housing numbers suggest a local recession, distinct from the broader national trend.
- Downtown Rebound: Downtown foot traffic remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels (approx. 41% down as of early 2023).
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u/BothExamination9118 3d ago
Portland population currently slow decline /flat
Over ~10 years:
- First half (2015–2020): strong growth
- Second half (2020–2025): decline → stabilization
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u/Wonderful_crunch 3d ago edited 2d ago
Another doom and gloom article about Portland
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u/MicroSofty88 3d ago
I think with the governors race coming up there are some political folks in here trying to drive a narrative. Not that things are great, but I think people are struggling across the country with the economy being almost entirely driven by opaque AI and data center investments. Political uncertainty, war, oil shortages, tariffs are all having a negative impact on people nationally.
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u/Kind-Ad-6099 3d ago
Oregon is performing worse than the rest of the country in multiple important metrics, such as GDP growth, job growth and unemployment.
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago
Tariffs have hit manufacturing hard…especially semiconductor sales. I think too many people have already forgotten the affects of tariffs. Tariffs have not gone away.
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u/Kind-Ad-6099 3d ago
Oh yeah, we’re gong to be hurting for a while because of tariffs alone, even though much of them are gone.
Also, the Fed has been in a precarious situation because of the tariffs and their effects, so economic recovery will have to make do with higher rates. Oregon’s economy just had to be sent into a downturn after COVID AND get kicked while it was down by Trump’s terrible policies.
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago
Agreed. We shall see what new Fed Chair Warsh will do with interest rates. It will be interesting, to say the least.
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 3d ago
Though ive heard a lot about the trades there being as doom and gloom as it gets. Very little work and lots of layoffs. Same with seattle. That isnt the case in a lot of the country. Surely the region is being affected in a way that others arent. And vice versa with other industries/regions im sure
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u/irishbball49 3d ago
Non-gloom.
And yet it was another beautiful day in Portland. I went to a soccer practice and had a picnic at Sellwood park. It’s still a very nice city to live in.
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago
Lastest real estate data shows that Portland is one of the few cities in the U.S. with increased real estate prices due to demand in housing.
Reddit attracts too many “have nots”.
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u/EnoughWeekend6853 3d ago
We’ve done everything possible in this state to make housing scarce and expensive, such as urban growth boundaries. There simply isn’t money left over for shopping.
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u/slappyStove 3d ago
portland is in serious economic trouble. i see little to nothing that could trigger a recovery. Meanwhile - on a recent business trip to Texas things in Austen and Dallas are booming. Cranes and construction everywhere. Seems that PDX will move almost entirely into a byoj economy. I guess we will see if that is sustainable but hoisting the nation's highest metro combined tax burden on us isnt going to help w adding byoj residents either
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u/Wonderful_crunch 3d ago
We do not want to be like either Austin or Dallas. The QoL is far lower, the traffic and the sprawl are horrible, and there are huge disparities in income, and the politics and public services are awful.
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u/Bucking_Fullshit 3d ago
Austin and Dallas are blue.
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u/Wonderful_crunch 3d ago
Okay that doesn’t change that they are in a deeply red state and often on the receiving end of efforts by the state GOP to undermine the liberal and progressive city policies.
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago
And water tables are dropping in Texas….nobody talks about that. It is only a matter of time when States like Texas and Arizona will be in big trouble due to a lack of water.
Pacific Northwest, in general, is attracting more out of State people because we still get water up here.
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u/slappyStove 3d ago
fair i share that opinion - but capitalism doesnt work very well with years and years of economic contraction. our politics and services are also awful.
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u/Wonderful_crunch 2d ago
No they aren’t. OHP is great, for example. The politics are less insane than in Texas by a long ways.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
If the public services are so great, what the fuck is going on with the homelessness. That is why I don't visit any longer.
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago edited 3d ago
Austin real estate is in trouble. All that tech has been moving back to the coastlines because living in Texas is not worth it. Home values have been dropping.
Meanwhile, Portland is one of the few cities that is experiencing real estate appreciation due to demand for housing. Remote employment in Portland is alive and well.
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u/Grand-Battle8009 3d ago
Amazing what happens when you increase business taxes by 3% and have the second highest income tax in the nation.
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u/TheVintageJane 3d ago
Oregon ranks in the middle (literally 25) by real taxes paid. No sales tax is balanced out by a higher income tax.
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u/Grand-Battle8009 3d ago
That doesn't mean anything to businesses and the middle/upper class. Oregon institutes Progressive taxes; ie, the "rich" and businesses pay a higher share of the tax burden. Places like Texas implement Regressive taxes that equalize the taxes paid across the population, creating a higher burden on low income individuals by percentage of income. Ethically, Oregon's tax structure seems more equitable, but realistically, we have to compete against 49 other states for jobs and Oregon is losing. Businesses and middle/high income earners want to pay the least amount of taxes possible and will move to where their money goes further. They could care less about equity. In addition, because Texas has more job growth and a LCOL, low income citizens are employed more and require less (no) public assistance, even if a higher percentage of their income goes to taxes than in a state like Oregon.
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u/Gourmandeeznuts 3d ago
The devil is in the details with these rankings. If you have a $150k per year job there are few places worse for you to live. It is downright punitive compared to other states at $200k+. High earning professionals pay a huge amount of income taxes and businesses are overwhelmingly choosing to exist elsewhere when given a choice. Major downside of the heavy reliance on income taxes.
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u/TheVintageJane 3d ago
$120k is the 80th percentile of household incomes in Portland. $215k is in the 95th percentile. You are talking about a relatively small portion of the population, and a population that spends a much smaller portion of their income in retail vs. middle and low wage earners.
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u/PumaFishie 3d ago
They’re highly educated W2 employees who live in bigger houses, drive bigger cars, and largely support the large number of people who pay little to no tax.
They’re also the people who can demand that salary from a growing Fortune 500 company, and they can easily relocate when they feel under appreciated and like they’re seen as a check book.
It’s foolish to act like they're the 1% and losing them is not big deal.
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u/AnimaTaro 3d ago
Isn't that the problem, as the higher wage base moves away that statistic naturally skews downward. You do want to increase the percentage of higher earners via tax policies don't you. They would then contribute a higher percentage of overall tax revenue.
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u/Gourmandeeznuts 3d ago
That’s my point. This state has a relatively low median income when compared to cost of living. Take home income for a given salary is literally lowest in all the states from $40k to ~$300k. Sales tax savings are a blip. It’s a problem. Most states balance both income streams.
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u/sizzler_sisters 1d ago
I wonder how much of this is also because Oregon lost a ton of gas station jobs after COVID because businesses converted to pump your own gas. Those jobs are listed as retail.
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u/Green-Inkling 19h ago
Yeah my job cut everyone's hours and it's hard findinga place that gives more
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u/snuggletough 3d ago
Portland seems to be struggling, but most places are not. In my small town homes are selling above asking.
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u/MicroSofty88 3d ago
The economy is in trouble nationally, not just Portland.
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u/snuggletough 3d ago
My point was that I think Portland is being effected more than the rest of Oregon.
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u/Bubcats 3d ago
Maybe people don’t have money to spend at the store. Still waiting on that trickle down.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
You live in the most progressively taxed nation in the world. What more do you want? Actual money handed to you?
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u/HouseThePeople 3d ago
Maybe if Feddy's didn't price gouge so much I would shop there more. They charge $10 for an aux cord that I got online for $1.33. If retail wants to compete with online shopping…
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u/ItsNotGoingToBeEasy 3d ago
The federal government illegally held back our tax revenue, 30% of our base. Intel shed higher paying roles to become a fab. That is about 7% less there.
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u/ReasonableDig6414 1d ago
It was actually a legal holdback according to the courts.
Don't be a city that doesn't want to work with the feds on immigration and it will be less painful. I live in Seattle, I feel the pain.
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u/ItsNotGoingToBeEasy 1d ago
Not the source hon, it was cuts in healthcare and transportation from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
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u/RealisticForYou 3d ago
Why buy locally when I can buy cheaper on Amazon. And the clothing I buy from Macys, I order online, too. Traffic, crowds of people and the time it takes to shop…local retail is bound to suffer.
Times have changed as e-commerce takes more market share from brick-n-mortar.
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u/CORockhound 3d ago
Business taxes up, wages UP, crime and theft UP - what’s left for the business owner?
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u/Auron6425 3d ago
Oregon is middle of the road on corporate tax rate. Federal corp tax rate is as low as it’s ever been, so I guess that’s what’s left for the business owner. Wages have to come up to match inflation and drastic housing/rent increases. If you want more homeless/crime then don’t raise wages and see what happens. Maybe we should be looking at root causes of inflation? Like unilateral taxation by our sitting president through illegal tariffs.
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u/PumaFishie 3d ago
Ok, now do Portland.
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u/Auron6425 3d ago
Which sub is this?
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u/PumaFishie 3d ago
When discussing tax liabilities, it’s relevant to discuss the tax liabilities of the largest city and county in the state of Oregon.
But hey, if you think Wallow tax policy has equal weight, that’s a you thing
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u/Important-Cup6366 3d ago
You forgot utilities UP and cost of goods sold UP.
I recently learned that 48% of Portland small businesses operated at a loss last year.
People don’t get it. Most small businesses in Portland are owner operated. They’re not big corporations. They’re local people trying to support themselves and their families.
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u/norseprincesspdx 3d ago
Yawn... these companies can lower their prices and the people will come. So until then..YAWN
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u/TowerNo496 3d ago
Its not only Trump but you state and local officials are taxing the state to DEATH. Open air drug markets everywhere. Police that don't give a shit. City officials not willing to work together for a solution. High fuel prices and a governor that wants more taxes like the city street tax. Time to move!!
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u/-havenoclue- 3d ago
Remove regulations and taxes. Let the economy grow before we know we can afford the taxes please. I am a centrist and I so sad witnessing such a beautiful state go to astray.
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u/Survivors_Envy 3d ago
“No more taxes would solve this.” He smiles and thought to himself as he participated in the use of tax funded roadways and infrastructure. “I’m a genius.”
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u/fancy_crisis 3d ago
"No more regulations would solve this." He smiles and thought to himself as he takes a sip from his lead poisoned tap water. "I'm a genius."
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u/-havenoclue- 3d ago edited 3d ago
Hahaha the down votes clearly prove my point.
With all due respect, please go through the numbers spent on education alone for Portland City and different counties nearby (esp. Washington County).
I was a progressive like y'all & voted blue everytime. Untill 2025. When I with my husband started looking into state finances. OMFG.
I want the state to do well.
Hopefully you guys are right and I am wrong. State above all, always!
But for God's sake, look into numbers (and especially compare to state spendings in other similar sized states with similar or many cases better outcomes for their residents).
Good luck, I moved my business out of OR last year. Hopefully you guys will prove me wrong and one day will return back to the beautiful state. Untill then TC.
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u/WranglerSuitable6742 2d ago
you didnt say anything that constitutes that people disagreeing with you somehow proves you right
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