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Sponsored LinksTravel reviews & great deals at TripAdvisor: Portland, Ore.Mayor: Tom Potter (to Dec. 2008) 2000 census population (rank): 529,121 (28); % change: 21.0; Male: 261,565 (49.4%); Female: 267,556 (50.6%); White: 412,241 (77.9%); Black: 35,115 (6.6%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 5,587 (1.1%); Asian: 33,470 (6.3%); Other race: 18,760 (3.5%); Two or more races: 21,955 (4.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 36,058 (6.8%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 78.9%; 65 and over: 11.6%; Median age: 35.2. 2005 population estimate (rank): 533,427 (30) See additional census data Land area: 134 sq mi. (347 sq km); Alt.: Highest, 1073 ft.; lowest, sea level Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 39.6° F; July, 68.2° F Churches: Protestant, 450; Roman Catholic, 48; Jewish, 9; Buddhist, 6; other, 190; City-owned parks: 200 (over 10,000 ac.); Radio stations: AM: 14, FM: 14; Television stations: 5 commercial; 1 public Civilian Labor Force (PMSA) April 2006: 1,109,8001; Unemployed: 57,6001, Percent: 5.21; Per capita personal income (MSA) 2004 $33,8751 Chamber of Commerce: Portland Business Alliance, 200 SW Market, Ste. 1700, Portland, OR 97201 1. Portland–Vancouver–Beaverton, Ore.–Wash. |
Portland, the largest city in Oregon and seat of Multnomah County, is located in the northwest part of the state on the Willamette River. Lewis and Clark camped at the site of Portland in 1805 on their expedition across the continent. Portland was founded in 1845 and was almost called Boston after the city in Massachusetts. Founders Amos Lovejoy from Massachusetts and Francis Pettygrove from Maine flipped a coin to decide the name of the new town. Pettygrove won the toss and named the place Portland after his hometown. Portland was incorporated as a city in 1851. In the 1850s Portland served as a supply base for the California gold rush, and it grew with the development of its salmon and lumber industries and the arrival of the railroad in 1883. The city continued to grow from 1879 to 1900 as a supply point for the Alaska gold rush and as the site of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in 1905. The port of Portland leads the West in grain exports and is among the top five auto-import centers in the United States. Portland has a diverse economy with a broad base of manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and retail trade, regional government, and business services. Major manufacturing industries include machinery, electronics, metals, transportation equipment, and lumber and wood products. Technology is a thriving part of Portland's economy, with over 1,700 high-tech companies located in the metropolitan area. Tourism is also important to Portland's economy, drawing more than 7 million visitors annually. See also Encyclopedia: Portland . Selected famous natives and residents:- James Beard food expert;
- Pietro Belluschi architect;
- Richard Fosbury high jumper;
- Matt Groening cartoonist;
- Margaux Hemingway actress;
- Phil Knight founder of Nike;
- Terrance Knox actor;
- Jeff Lorber jazz musician;
- Linus Pauling chemist;
- Jane Powell singer and actress;
- Ahmad Rashad football player and sportscaster;
- Susan Ruttan actress;
- Pat Schroeder congressperson;
- Doc Severinson band leader;
- Norton Simon business executive;
- Sally Ann Struthers actress;
- Gus Van Sant film director;
- Lindsay Wagner actress;
- Mitch Williams baseball pitcher.
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