Multnomah County, Oregon#Geography

The area of the lower Willamette River has been inhabited for thousands of years, including by the Multnomah band of Chinookan peoples long before European contact, as evidenced by the nearby Cathlapotle village, just downstream.{{Cite web |last=Ames |first=Kenneth |title=Cathlapotle |url=https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cathlapotle/#.WfwHQ3ZryM8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923212518/https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cathlapotle/#.WfwHQ3ZryM8 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=November 3, 2017 |website=The Oregon Encyclopedia |publisher=The Oregon Historical Society}}

Multnomah County (the 13th in Oregon Territory) was created on December 22, 1854, formed out of two other Oregon counties – the eastern part of Washington County and the northern part of Clackamas County. Its creation was a result of a petition earlier that year by businessmen in Portland complaining of the inconvenient location of the Washington County seat in Hillsboro and of the share of Portland tax revenues leaving the city to support Washington County farmers. County commissioners met for the first time on January 17, 1855.{{Cite web |title=Oregon Historical County Records Guide:Multnomah County History |url=https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/records/county/Pages/multnomah-history.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820203221/http://sos.oregon.gov/archives/records/county/Pages/multnomah-history.aspx |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |access-date=August 1, 2009 |publisher=Oregon State Archives}}

The county is named after the Chinookan word for the "lower river", multnomah, matlnomaq, or máɬnumax̣ being interpretive English spellings of the same word. In Chinook jargon, Ne-matlnomaq, means the "place of matlnomaq" or the (singular) Ne-matlnomag, "the lower river", from the Oregon City Falls toward the Columbia River. Alternatively, Chinookan máɬnumax̣ (also nímaɬnumax̣) "those toward water" (or "toward the Columbia River", known in Chinookan as ímaɬ or wímaɬ, "the great water"). Explorer William Clark wrote in his journal: "I entered this river...called Multnomah...from a nation who reside on Wappato Island, a little below the enterence" (quoted from Willamette Landings by H.M. Corning).(see:Portland Basin Chinookan Villages in the early 1800s, Boyd and Zenk,) Although Clark refers to the Willamette River as Multnomah, he may not have understood the meaning. Simply put, Multnomah ("down river" or "toward the great water") is the shortened form of nematlnomaq/nímaɬnumax̣.

In 1924, the county's three commissioners were indicted and recalled by voters "in response to 'gross irregularities' in the award of contracts for construction of the Burnside and Ross Island bridges"; since all three had been supported by the Ku Klux Klan, their recall also helped reduce that organization's influence in the city.{{Cite news |last=Genovese |first=Fran |date=February 19, 2009 |title=Politicians and scandal: a Portland-area tradition |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/02/politicians_and_scandal_a_port.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004155328/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/02/politicians_and_scandal_a_port.html |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |work=The Oregonian}}

Vanport, built north of Portland in 1943 to house workers for Kaiser Shipyards, was destroyed by a flood five years later.

In 1968, the Oregon Legislative Assembly referred a bill, Ballot Measure 5, to voters that would amend the state constitution to allow for consolidated city-county governments when their populations are over 300,000.{{Cite web |last=Oregon Blue Book |year=2009 |title=Initiative, Referendum and Recall: 1958-1970 |url=https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/state/elections/history.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035554/https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/state/elections/history.aspx |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State}} The 1968 voters' pamphlet noted that Multnomah County would be the only county in Oregon affected by the measure and voters approved the referendum in the 1968 general election.{{Cite web |last=Oregon Secretary of State |year=1968 |title=State of Oregon Voters' Pamphlet General Election 1968 |url=http://library.state.or.us/repository/2010/201003011350161/ORVPGenMari1968.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820013736/http://library.state.or.us/repository/2010/201003011350161/ORVPGenMari1968.pdf |archive-date=August 20, 2011 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |publisher=Oregon State Library}} Since the approval of Measure 5 in 1968, an initiative to merge the county with Portland has been considered and placed on the county ballot several times.{{Cite web |last=Briem, Chris |title=Some Major City-County Consolidation Referenda in the 20th Century |url=http://www.briem.com/frag/CityCountyReferenda.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708093726/http://www.briem.com/frag/CityCountyReferenda.htm |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2010 |publisher=University of Pittsburgh}}{{Cite web |last=Senator Lim |year=1997 |title=Relating to city-county consolidation; creating new provisions |url=http://www.leg.state.or.us/97reg/measures/sb0001.dir/sb0009.int.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611064132/http://www.leg.state.or.us/97reg/measures/sb0001.dir/sb0009.int.html |archive-date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2010 |publisher=Oregon Legislative Assembly}}{{Cite web |last=Bogstad |first=Deborah |year=1999 |title=Multnomah County March 30 & April 1, 1999 Board Meetings |url=http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/cc/PastAgendas/1998-1999/1999/1999-2.doc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806222614/https://www.multco.us/ |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |access-date=March 28, 2010 |publisher=Multnomah County, Oregon}}

In the 2000 presidential election, Multnomah county played a decisive role in determining the winner of the state's electoral votes. Al Gore carried the county by 104,764 votes, enough to offset the 97,999 vote advantage that George W. Bush had earned among Oregon's 35 other counties.{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2000 |title=Official Results November 7, 2000 General Election |url=http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6920724 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418203521/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Record/6920724/File/document |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State |quote=Note: The archive URL is a direct download of the full PDF displayed in the main link. The archive.org link for the main link could not be used as it only displays page 1, while the cited info is on page 2.}} The Democratic tilt was repeated in 2004, when John Kerry won by 161,146 votes,{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2004 |title=Official Results {{!}} November 4, 2004, General Election |url=http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873503 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808081610/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873503 |archive-date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State}} and in 2008, when Barack Obama won by 204,525 votes.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2008 |title=Official Results {{!}} November 4, 2008, General Election |url=http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873598 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604113053/http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/RecordView/6873598 |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=August 8, 2023 |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State}}

In February 2001, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted the recommendation of the Library Advisory Board and authorized the library to enter into a lawsuit to stop the Children's Internet Protection Act. The US Supreme Court ultimately decided in 2003 that the law was constitutional in US v. ALA. However, the library chose to turn down $104,000 per year of federal funding under CIPA to be able to continue to offer unfiltered Internet access.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Renee S. |date=May 5, 2004 |title=Once again, policy did not involve public |work=The Oregonian}}{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2009 |title=Children's Internet Protection Act; Questions and Answers |url=http://www.multcolib.org/news/cipa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608211545/http://www.multcolib.org/news/cipa.html |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2010 |publisher=Multnomah County Library}}

Faced with decreasing government revenues due to a recession in the local economy, voters approved a three-year local income tax (Measure 26–48) {{Cite web |date=April 6, 2011 |title=May 2003 Special Election - Multnomah County - Measure No. 26-48 |url=http://web.multco.us/elections/may-2003-special-election-multnomah-county-measure-no-26-48 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910100753/http://web.multco.us/elections/may-2003-special-election-multnomah-county-measure-no-26-48 |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=May 22, 2013 |publisher=Multnomah County Elections}} on May 20, 2003, to prevent further cuts in schools, police protection, and social services.{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2011 |title=May 20, 2003 - Election Results |url=http://web.multco.us/elections/may-20-2003-election-results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806222623/https://www.multco.us/elections/may-20-2003-election-results |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |access-date=May 22, 2013 |publisher=Multnomah County Elections}}

After that, though, Linn and the three commissioners developed a public feud, with the latter becoming known as the "mean girls".{{Cite news |last=Kelly House |date=November 4, 2013 |title=Former Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn returns to Portland with nonprofit job |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/11/post_378.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010125809/http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/11/post_378.html |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=January 17, 2017 |work=The Oregonian}} The county government has also faced significant budget issues, including not being able to open the Wapato Corrections Facility since it was built in 2003.

File:Portland, Oregon skyline from the Ross Island Bridge.jpg

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|466|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|34|sqmi}} (7.4%) are covered by water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_41.txt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027210340/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_41.txt |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} It is the smallest county in Oregon by area. It is located along the south side of the Columbia River.

The county includes a number of extinct volcanoes in the Boring Lava Field. The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge forms the eastern portion of the county's northern border.

• {{jct|state=OR|I|5}}
• {{jct|state=OR|I|84}}
• {{jct|state=OR|I|205}}
• {{jct|state=OR|I|405}}
• {{jct|state=OR|US|26}}
• {{jct|state=OR|US|30}}
• {{jct|state=OR|US-Byp|30}}
• {{jct|state=OR|US|99}} (decommissioned)
• {{jct|state=OR|OR|10}}
• {{jct|state=OR|OR|43}}
• {{jct|state=OR|OR|120}}
• {{jct|state=OR|OR|213}}

• Columbia County – northwest
• Clark County, Washington – north
• Skamania County, Washington – northeast
• Hood River County – east
• Clackamas County – south
• Washington County – west

• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (part)
• Mount Hood National Forest (part)

{{US Census population

|1860= 4150

|1870= 11510

|1880= 25203

|1890= 74884

|1900= 103167

|1910= 226261

|1920= 275898

|1930= 338241

|1940= 355099

|1950= 471537

|1960= 522813

|1970= 556667

|1980= 562640

|1990= 583887

|2000= 660486

|2010= 735334

|2020= 815428

|estyear=2024

|estimate=795897

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 15, 2025}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1790–1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900–1990{{Cite web |date=March 27, 1995 |editor-last=Forstall |editor-first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/or190090.txt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219012254/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/or190090.txt |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1990–2000{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 2010–2020

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 815,428 people, 341,507 households, and 180,512 families residing in the county.{{Cite web |title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Multnomah%20County,%20Oregon%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|1891.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 363,996 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 65.7% White, 5.4% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 7.5% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, and 6.8% from two or more races. About 12.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The median income for a household in the county was $83,668 and the per-capita income was $49,713. 12.1% of the population lived below the poverty line.

As of the 2010 census, there were 735,334 people, 304,540 households, and 163,539 families resided in the county.{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41051 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213023619/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41051 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|1,704.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 324,832 housing units at an average density of {{convert|753.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41051 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192026/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41051 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The racial makeup of the county was 76.5% White, 6.5% Asian, 5.6% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 5.1% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 10.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.4% were German, 12.2% were Irish, 11.4% were English, and 4.2% were American.{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41051 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020257/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41051 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

Of the 304,540 households, 27.0% had children under 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 46.3% were not families, and 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 35.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,618 and for a family was $62,956. Males had a median income of $45,152 versus $38,211 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,883. About 11.3% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41051 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032720/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41051 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the 2000 census, there were 660,486 people, 272,098 households, and 152,102 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|1,518|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|abbr=on}}. There were 288,561 housing units had an average density of 663.sq mi (256/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.16% White, 5.70% Asian, 5.67% Black or African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 4.03% from other races, and 4.07% from two or more races. About 7.51% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race; 16.0% were of German, 9.0% English, 8.8% Irish, and 5.1% American ancestry; 83.5% spoke English, 6.3% Spanish, 1.7% Vietnamese, and 1.3% Russian as their first language.

Of the 272,098 households, 26.5% had children under 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were not families. About 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37, and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the age distribution was 22.3% under 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,278, and for a family was $51,118. Males had a median income of $36,036 versus $29,337 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,606. 12.70% of the population and 8.20% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.40% of those under the age of 18 and 9.80% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

File:Lobby of new Multnomah County Central Courthouse from 2nd floor Oct 2020.jpg, which opened in 2020]]

Multnomah County was a strongly Republican county for much of the first half of the 20th century. Since 1964, it has been the strongest Democratic bastion in Oregon, even in the Republican landslides of 1972 and 1984.

As Multnomah County is by far the most populous county in Oregon, Democratic majorities in the county are often enough to swing the results in statewide elections. In 2008, Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley unseated incumbent two-term Senator Gordon Smith, though Smith carried 28 of Oregon's 36 counties. Merkley carried Multnomah County by over 142,000 votes, however, enough to allow him to defeat Smith by 59,100 votes.

The county courthouse is located in downtown Portland. The Multnomah County Central Courthouse opened in 2020, replacing a century-old building nearby that was in need of seismic retrofitting.{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Aimee |date=October 4, 2020 |title=After decades of trying, Multnomah County opens a $324 million new, spacious, seismically safer courthouse |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/after-decades-of-trying-multnomah-county-opens-a-324-million-new-spacious-seismically-safer-courthouse.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010051925/https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/after-decades-of-trying-multnomah-county-opens-a-324-million-new-spacious-seismically-safer-courthouse.html |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=October 10, 2020 |work=The Oregonian}}

• Elections: Tim Scott
• Finance: Mark Campbell
• Surveyor: James Clayton

Map of Multnomah County [https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/state/legislative/district-maps.aspx Senate-Representative District Maps]

The Joint Office of Homeless Services is an agency run by Multnomah County to provide services and care to those experiencing homelessness. The City of Portland contributes 9 percent of its budget.{{Cite web|title=Portland city commissioners reverse plan to pull out of Joint Office of Homeless Services|url=https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/06/portland-joint-office-homeless-services-city-council-housing-homelessness/ |access-date=2025-03-03|website=opb.org|language=en|archive-date=2025-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303180148/https://www.opb.org/article/2024/11/06/portland-joint-office-homeless-services-city-council-housing-homelessness/|url-status=live}}

In 2024, city councilors considered withdrawing from this partnership, but left it in place after the election of mayor Keith Wilson who ran on a platform of ending unshelterd homelessness.{{Cite web |title=Dan Ryan says Portland Mayor-elect Keith Wilson told them to drop plan to end partnership with Multnomah County |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/straight-talk/dan-ryan-portland-mayor-elect-keith-wilson-multnomah-county-joint-office/283-6470d829-97d6-423c-9507-ad0faa6ad681 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303181110/https://www.kgw.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/straight-talk/dan-ryan-portland-mayor-elect-keith-wilson-multnomah-county-joint-office/283-6470d829-97d6-423c-9507-ad0faa6ad681 |archive-date=2025-03-03 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=kgw.com |language=en}}

Earlier in 2024 it was reported that the JOHS increased people it was able to put into housing by 28 percent compared to 2023.{{Cite web |title=Joint Office of Homeless Services sees 28% increase of homeless placed in housing |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/joint-office-of-homeless-services-sees-28-increase-of-homeless-placed-in-housing/article_c90ec22e-609f-11ef-a2f3-9f61fd68fa04.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303181455/https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/joint-office-of-homeless-services-sees-28-increase-of-homeless-placed-in-housing/article_c90ec22e-609f-11ef-a2f3-9f61fd68fa04.html |archive-date=2025-03-03 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=portlandtribune.com |language=en}}

In February 2025, the JOHS reported a budget gap of $104 million, saying it would not be able to meet its commitments this year.{{Cite web |title=Joint Office of Homeless Services Warns of Upcoming Budget Shortfall of $104 Million |url=https://www.wweek.com/news/county/2025/02/21/joint-office-reports-upcoming-budget-shortfall-of-104-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303182134/https://www.wweek.com/news/county/2025/02/21/joint-office-reports-upcoming-budget-shortfall-of-104-million/ |archive-date=2025-03-03 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=wweek.com |language=en}}{{PresHead|place=Multnomah County, Oregon|whig=no|source1={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |archive-date=March 23, 2018 |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}|source2=The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 12,523 votes, while Socialist Eugene Debs received 3,578 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 761 votes.}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|70,759|325,927|17,564|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|82,995|367,249|13,415|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|67,954|292,561|38,588|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|75,302|274,887|14,533|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|75,171|279,696|9,843|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|98,439|259,585|4,670|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|83,677|188,441|24,567|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|71,094|159,878|38,989|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|72,326|165,081|60,884|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|95,561|161,361|4,921|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|119,932|144,179|1,428|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|101,606|120,487|36,875|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|112,400|129,060|11,699|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|118,219|125,470|9,269|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|106,831|124,651|12,036|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|81,683|161,040|1,016|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|127,271|124,273|338|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|129,658|115,896|0|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|132,602|107,118|1,339|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|86,519|93,703|8,806|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|78,279|105,516|2,423|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|73,612|97,595|1,106|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|41,405|106,561|4,353|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|47,201|78,898|6,644|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|75,731|45,177|1,951|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|48,866|21,733|27,165|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|44,806|27,607|4,761|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|41,458|35,755|3,022|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|9,212|13,894|16,862|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|17,819|9,850|2,118|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|13,692|2,324|2,518|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|9,948|4,436|814|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|11,824|6,453|334|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|8,041|2,040|6,572|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1888|Republican|6,250|3,996|201|Oregon}}

{{PresRow|1884|Republican|5,058|3,880|95|Oregon}}

{{PresFoot|1880|Republican|3,211|2,720|0|Oregon}}

The principal industries of Multnomah County are manufacturing, transportation, wholesale and retail trade, and tourism. Since Oregon does not have a sales tax, it attracts shoppers from southwest Washington.

The Port of Portland, established in 1891 and combined with the City of Portland's Commission of Public Docks in 1971, ranks third in total waterborne commerce on the West Coast, and 31st in the nation for total tonnage according to the 2009 American Association of Port Authorities' Port Industries Statistics.{{Cite web |title=Port Industry Statistics |url=http://www.aapa-ports.org/Industry/content.cfm?ItemNumber=900 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504233752/http://www.aapa-ports.org/Industry/content.cfm?ItemNumber=900 |archive-date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=August 1, 2011 |website=American Association of Port Authorities}} Portland is one of the five largest auto import ports in the nation and is the West Coast's leading exporter of grain and lumber.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} The Port of Portland is also responsible for Portland International Airport (PDX) in the northeast section of Portland, the Troutdale Airport a few miles east of PDX in Multnomah County, the Hillsboro Airport to the west in Washington County, and Mulino State Airport to the south in Clackamas County.

Out of the 199 cities and counties located in the five West Coast states, Multnomah County ranked 198th in private sector job creation from 1997 to 2009.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2011 |title=Portland's Economic Recovery and the Role of Trade |url=http://www.pdxcityclub.org/content/trade-and-oregons-economy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130030929/http://www.pdxcityclub.org/content/trade-and-oregons-economy |archive-date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |website=Friday Forums |publisher=City Club of Portland}}

{{See also|National Register of Historic Places listings in Multnomah County, Oregon}}

The county is home to a number of Portland-area attractions and venues, including Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland Art Museum, Memorial Coliseum, Oregon Convention Center, Moda Center, Providence Park, Washington Park, Oregon Zoo, International Rose Test Garden, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum and Pittock Mansion.

It is also home to the Historic Columbia River Highway, Multnomah Falls, and Oxbow Regional Park.

{{See also| Portland, Oregon neighborhoods}}

{{div col}}

• Albina (former)
• Fairview
• Gresham
• Lake Oswego (small portion){{Cite web |title=Ci.oswego.or.us |url=http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/engineer/maps/LO_CompPlan.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204072000/http://www.ci.oswego.or.us/engineer/maps/LO_CompPlan.pdf |archive-date=February 4, 2012}}
• Maywood Park
• Milwaukie (small portion)
• Portland (county seat)
• St. Johns (former)
• Troutdale
• Wood Village

{{div col end}}

• Cedar Mill (part)
• Centennial (former)
• Cully (former)
• Dunthorpe
• Hazelwood (former)
• Orient
• West Haven-Sylvan (part)

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Bonneville
• Burlington
• Corbett
• Dodson
• Dunthorpe
• Holbrook
• Interlachen
• Latourell
• Orient
• Riverwood
• Springdale
• Warrendale

{{div col end}}

• Vanport
• Bridal Veil

School districts include:{{Cite map|author=Geography Division|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Multnomah County, OR |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41051_multnomah/DC20SD_C41051.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41051_multnomah/DC20SD_C41051.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=July 22, 2022|date=December 18, 2020 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Beaverton School District 48J
• Centennial School District 28J
• Corbett School District 39
• David Douglas School District 40
• Gresham-Barlow School District 1J
• Hillsboro School District 1J
• Lake Oswego School District 7J
• Parkrose School District 3
• Portland School District 1J
• Rainier School District 13
• Reynolds School District 7
• Riverdale School District 51J
• Scappoose School District 1J

{{div col end}}

Portland Community College serves western portions of the county and Mt. Hood Community College serves eastern portions.{{Cite web |title=Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts |url=https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |publisher=Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development}}

• {{portal-inline|Oregon}}
• {{portal-inline|Pacific Northwest}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.multco.us Multnomah County]
• [https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/records/county/Pages/multnomah-history.aspx Multnomah County History] from the Oregon State Archives
• [https://www.loc.gov/item/2012586242/ Historical Map of Multnomah County, Oregon] Library of Congress {{hyphen}} Map Date: January 1889 (hi{{hyphen}}res) {{open access}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Multnomah County, Oregon

|North = Clark County, Washington

|Northeast = Skamania County, Washington

|East = Hood River County

|Southeast =

|South = Clackamas County

|Southwest =

|West = Washington County

|Northwest = Columbia County

}}

{{Multnomah County, Oregon}}

{{Oregon}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|45.54|-122.41|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OR_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:1854 establishments in Oregon Territory

Category:Populated places established in 1854

Category:Oregon placenames of Native American origin

Category:Columbia River Gorge

Category:Portland metropolitan area counties