Oregon's Economy

[downtownpdx]

Portland outpaces Washington County in income, job growth



http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncoun..._outpaces_washington_c.html#incart_river

By Ian K. Kullgren | [email protected] The Oregonian
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on October 07, 2014 at 7:33 AM, updated October 07, 2014 at 1:52 PM

For the first time in a decade, Portland is outpacing Washington County in job growth and median income, according to a recent study of state employment data.

From 2010 to 2013, Washington County's median income fell 5.4 percent, from nearly $52,000 to less than $49,000 a year. Portland's, meanwhile, jumped more than 8.5 percent, from $45,698 to $49,616 a year.

During the same period, Washington County's employment growth slowed to 1 percent while Portland's climbed 2.4 percent.

Although the differences are small, the trend could threaten Washington County's reputation as the region's economic driver.

"Washington County is not doing as good as the city of Portland in attracting smart, young, educated people," said Christian Kaylor, an economist with the Oregon Employment Department who headed the study. "It's growing, but it's not doing as well as its neighbor to the east." ...