Portland politicians talk endlessly about diversity and inclusion. Portland is a sanctuary city sitting in a sanctuary state. Our land use plans are based a belief that someday, Portland will become the home for thousands of climate change refugees from all parts of the country.

Reality looks to be much different. The Portland of the future looks to be much like the Portland of today: Dominated by fresh-out-of-college white folks. In other words, a great big Bernie Sanders rally.

The Tribune reports U.S. Census statistics show that a disproportionate percentage of people moving to Portland are young, white and college educated.

• Portland grew by 68,650 people between 2007 and 2014. Nearly half — 37,675 — were between the ages of 18 and 34.
• During those seven years, 61,132 people moved to Portland who were 25 or older. The vast majority of them — 57,945 — had a bachelor’s degree or higher.

In an ironic twist, according to the article, the very group of young people clamoring for rent control are the very people who are driving much of recent gentrification and rising rents:

But the trend helps explain the gentrification that has occurred in desirable inner North and Northeast Portland neighborhoods, where traditional lower-income minority residents have been displaced by wealthier whites.

Airbnb, Californians … Funny how it’s always someone else who’s driving gentrification.

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Originally published on PDXpolitics.com