Portland's Demographic Imperative

Portland has often described as the "largest, whitest city in the United States." One look at the last U.S. Census figures, however, and it is clear that's about to change.

Portland is a different city than it was a decade ago. According to recent data, one out of every eight residents in the greater Portland Tri-County area is foreign-born. In some East Portland neighborhoods, immigrants represent one out of every three residents. Rapidly increasing diversity can stretch our social fabric, as we have seen in cities across the United States—particularly when new communities are scapegoated and demonized in the media or marginalized from civic and public life.

Recent events in Europe, particularly in France, highlight the importance of public policy in responding to population shifts and racial and economic inequality. Restrictionist and protectionist policies serve to further isolate foreign-born residents. The peaceful co-integration of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious groups is, perhaps, the single most important social issue facing U.S. cities today.

The City of Portland faces a demographic imperative: it must find ways to engage tens of thousands of diverse newcomers in local democratic processes and promote equal opportunity for all of its residents. Our newest neighbors deserve no less.

Our Approach

At the heart of the Center's approach to building a multi-racial, multicultural democracy is co-integration, that is: integrating immigrants/refugees into civic and institutional structures, and integrating mainstream organizations and communities into cultures of difference. We believe that breaking down these barriers will strengthen our society, creating a more equitable social, political, and economic environment for all.