What the Maps Tell Us: Initial Findings

The map Populations of Color (Density by Acre) shows that people of color live throughout the region. In Portland, areas with particularly high densities of populations of color are located in parts of downtown, the Pearl, the northwest district, north Portland, inner northeast Portland, outer east Portland, the Cully neighborhood, and along a strip immediately west of I-205.  In east Multnomah County, areas with high densities of populations of color can be found in the cities of Gresham, Wood Village, Fairview and Troutdale.  Significant densities of populations of color are also located along the Tualatin Valley Highway in Washington County and span the inner rim cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro, as well as the satellite cities of Cornelius and Forest Grove. High densities are also located near Allen Boulevard in Beaverton and along 99W in Tigard.  In Clackamas County, high densities of populations of color are located in Milwaukie, Wilsonville, Canby and at the intersection of I-205 and I-5 in Tualatin.  High density areas also follow a few major transportation routes in Clark County, including Mill Plain Boulevard and State Road 500. Clark County neighborhoods with the highest densities of populations of color include Bagley Downs, Harney Heights, and Fourth Plain Village.
 
The Above Regional Average Percent Populations of Color map shows the census tracts in which the percentage of residents who are people of color is higher than the regional average of 20.4%. The pattern looks like a donut with a piece missing; areas with higher than average populations of color form the donut, while the Portland west hills and inner northeast Portland form the donut hole, and the areas around and including Lake Oswego and West Linn to the south form the piece of the donut that is missing. The percentage of residents who are people of color in these areas is lower than the regional average. 
 
The Percent Change in Populations of Color (2000-2010) map indicates that the spatial distribution of populations of color across the region shifted fairly dramatically over the past decade at the same time as the region was becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. From 2000 to 2010, the percentage of residents who were people of color decreased in inner northeast and southeast Portland census tracts, with the largest decreases occurring in the inner northeast. Several census tracts in far western unincorporated Washington County and far eastern Clackamas County, beyond the Urban Growth Boundary, also show decreases in the percentage of populations of color. Increases occurred in inner suburban cities such as Gresham and Happy Valley, outer east Portland and in nearly all of Clark County. 
 
This population shift over the last decade is consistent with the narrative of rising property values and displacement in inner Portland neighborhoods and select rural areas, and increasing racial and ethnic diversity in many inner suburban communities. It is also consistent with the patterns highlighted in the original Equity Atlas’ analysis of the demographic changes in the region between 1990 and 2000. From an equity standpoint, it helps document the negative consequences of intensive investments in inner Portland neighborhoods during the last decade and raises questions about how and where public investments might be made in the future.
 
The map Populations of Color in Relationship to Areas with Above Regional Average Percent Populations in Poverty shows that most places with high concentrations of people of color also have poverty rates higher than the regional average of 6.72%. The exceptions—places with high concentrations of people of color with poverty rates lower than the regional average—are primarily located in Washington County, and include areas in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard and unincorporated Washington County. This may be, in part, because of the relatively high density of Asians, particularly those employed in the high technology sector, who live close to the region’s Silicon Forest in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and unincorporated areas of Washington County.
 
From an equity perspective, the overlap between places with high concentrations of populations of color and places with higher than average poverty rates is an important finding. First, it indicates that populations of color are disproportionately likely to be low income – a pattern that is borne out by regional demographic data. Second, it suggests that populations of color are more likely to live in neighborhoods with inadequate access to the resources necessary for meeting their basic needs and advancing their health and well-being. This map, in combination with other Atlas maps showing the geographic distribution of resources and opportunities, can help to inform a broader analysis of regional equity and shape strategies to address disparities through targeted investments and changes in policy and planning.