Multnomah County was named after a Native American village located on Sauvie Island in Oregon. Famous explorers Lewis and Clark also called the local indigenous people in the area by the same name in 1805.
While it is the smallest county in Oregon by geographical area, cities in Multnomah County make up the largest population in the state.
If you’re considering moving to any of the Multnomah County cities, details from the US Census are helpful in determining what the area is like. You can also do additional research on the areas to find local things to do, popular attractions, and lifestyle data.
Multnomah County Demographics
As you go through the list of cities in Multnomah County, it will be easier to see how different they are by first taking a look at the overall area’s general demographics.
- Population: 812,855 residents
- Median Age: 38 years old
- Median Household Income: $72,900
- Median Home Listing Price: $500,000
- Area of State: 431.1 square miles
- Density: 1,885.5 people per square mile people per square mile
- Educational Attainment: 91.9% high school graduate or higher
Cities in Multnomah County
Before you make your way to this new area, make sure you learn all of the most important information about cities in Multnomah County, OR.
1. Portland
Located along the Oregon-Washington border, Portland is the largest city in Multnomah County by population. Portland was established in February 1851 and serves as the Multnomah County seat.
People living in Portland are sometimes referred to as being highly “crunchy”, which is a term used to describe individuals who are liberal and mindful of the environment.
The Portland culture is welcoming to hipsters and young professionals looking for great places to work like Daimler Trucks North America, Precision Castparts, Fred Meyer, and KinderCare Learning Centers.
Some of the top things to do in Portland are found at the local Washington Park as well as the popular Oregon Zoo.
Local schools in Portland like Grant High School and Riverdale High School offer good education programs for their students. Portland State University as well as Lewis & Clark College are two of the top colleges in Multnomah County.
Notable people born in Portland include The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, actress Anna Kendrick, NFL football player Ndamukong Suh, author Beverly Cleary, and NBA basketball player Domantas Sabonis.
- Portland Population: 645,291
- Portland Area: 145 square miles
- Portland Median Age: 37 years old
- Portland Median Household Income: $71,005
- Portland Median House Price: $412,000
- Portland Density: 4,897.8 people per square mile
- Portland Map
2. Gresham
Gresham can be found about 16 miles east of downtown Portland and is the second-largest among cities in Multnomah County and the fourth-largest in Oregon.
Founded in 1905, Gresham is best known for its seasonal Mt. Hood Jazz Festival that happens every year in May. It has become a staple of the city’s culture as it brings visitors from all over the country.
Residents living in Gresham feel it is a nice place to live with many pleasant amenities and local things to do. Some of the top attractions include the Gresham History Museum and the Nadaka Nature Park & Garden.
Gresham hosts its own Gresham-Barlow School District, offering local students a strong education. Jobs are available with local companies like Imperial Manufacturing, Ice Cold Coolers, Metro Pediatrics, and Craft Warehouse.
Some notable people from Gresham include mixed martial artist Randy Couture, former Miss America Katie Harman, and professional soccer player Marco Farfan.
- Gresham Population: 110,494
- Gresham Area: 23.2 square miles
- Gresham Median Age: 37 years old
- Gresham Median Household Income: $54,084
- Gresham Median House Price: $287,900
- Gresham Density: 4,684 people per square mile
- Gresham Map
3. Lake Oswego
The city of Lake Oswego was established in 1847 and is about 9 miles south of downtown Portland. Ranked among the best cities in Multnomah County, Lake Oswego is known for its Oswego Lake as well as its scenic views and outdoor recreational activities at places like Millennium Plaza Park.
Lake Oswego has one of the lowest crime rates in the state, coming in 3rd among the safest cities in Oregon.
People moving to Lake Oswego will enjoy the city’s lively culture of art with popular destinations like the Lakewood Center for the Arts.
Lake Oswego Senior High School is ranked as the 5th best high school in the state along with Lakeridge High School, which is ranked 8th best.
- Lake Oswego Population: 39,127
- Lake Oswego Area: 10.1 square miles
- Lake Oswego Median Age: 47 years old
- Lake Oswego Median Household Income: $108,927
- Lake Oswego Median House Price: $637,200
- Lake Oswego Density: 3,631.1 people per square mile
- Lake Oswego Map
4. Milwaukie
Next on the list of Multnomah County cities is the pleasant community of Milwaukie, which is about 8 miles southeast of Portland.
Since it was founded in 1903, Milwaukie jobs have popped up over the years with employers like Bob’s Red Mill, Marquis Companies, BenefitHelp Solutions, and Dark Horse Comics.
Known as the birthplace of the Bing cherry, Milwaukie also has the oldest and largest Dogwood tree in the world.
Residents living in Milwaukie appreciate the city’s quiet and family-friendly culture. Milwaukie offers plenty of fun things to do at places like Ardenwald Park as well as Davis Graveyard, where people can learn how to make fun Halloween costumes and props.
- Milwaukie Population: 21,009
- Milwaukie Area: 4.8 square miles
- Milwaukie Median Age: 40 years old
- Milwaukee Median Household Income: $61,902
- Milwaukie Median House Price: $323,500
- Milwaukie Density: 4,285.4 people per square mile
- Milwaukie Map
5. Cedar Mill
Cedar Mill is a census-designated suburb of Portland and one of the most affluent cities in Multnomah County. Established in 1859, Cedar Mill is conveniently located to the northwest of Portland.
People moving to Cedar Mill will be happy to hear it is known for being one of the best Multnomah County cities to live in. It is also the most affluent community on this list.
The area’s culture has been built by many Irish Catholics as their ancestors helped establish the area. Some of the top places to visit around town include Cedar Mill Falls and Cedar Mill Park.
- Cedar Mill Population: 17,659
- Cedar Mill Area: 3.7 square miles
- Cedar Mill Median Age: 40 years old
- Cedar Mill Median Household Income: $145,057
- Cedar Mill Median House Price: $598,500
- Cedar Mill Density: 5,306.4 people per square mile
- Cedar Mill Map
6. Troutdale
Located immediately northeast of Gresham, Troutdale was founded back in 1907 and has become one of the most pleasant cities in Multnomah County.
Troutdale is commonly known for its great fishing locations since it rests along the Columbia River Gorge. It offers a great culture for growing families and young professionals as the area hosts plenty of parks, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
Many jobs in Troutdale are found with major corporations like Airbnb, Apple, HP, and Netflix.
A couple of the best things to do in Troutdale are available at Sandy River Delta and Columbia Gorge Outlets.
- Troutdale Population: 16,466
- Troutdale Area: 5.9 square miles
- Troutdale Median Age: 40 years old
- Troutdale Median Household Income: $76,598
- Troutdale Median House Price: $309,600
- Troutdale Density: 2,773.6 people per square mile
- Troutdale Map
7. Fairview
To the north of Gresham, you’ll find the pleasant Multnomah County city of Fairview, OR. This beautiful area was established in 1907 and offers a quiet culture for local families.
While it predominantly consists of residential neighborhoods, Fairview is also known as a farming community that produces berries from local companies like Townsend Farms. Other top-rated places to work in and around Fairview include Nike, Intel, OHSU, and Salesforce.
Lots of enjoyable activities are available in Fairview at destinations such as Blue Lake Regional Park and The Stagecoach Saloon.
- Fairview Population: 9,363
- Fairview Area: 3.1 square miles
- Fairview Median Age: 40 years old
- Fairview Median Household Income: $68,259
- Fairview Median House Price: $294,800
- Fairview Density: 3,031.9 people per square mile
- Fairview Map
8. West Haven-Sylvan
West Haven-Sylvan is a small census-designated place located to the west of downtown Portland. The area’s founder Nathan B. Jones established the area in 1890 with the intention of it becoming the new capital of Oregon.
While it certainly didn’t reach that goal, West Haven-Sylvan is still considered among the top Multnomah County cities to live in. The name “Sylvan” came from the Roman god of the woods whose name was Silvanus.
The culture in West Haven-Sylvan has a community of wealthy people with beautiful homes and comfortable amenities. Two of the area’s top attractions are the local Roger Tilbury Memorial Park and Cornell Farm.
- West Haven-Sylvan Population: 8,888
- West Haven-Sylvan Area: 2.7 square miles
- West Haven-Sylvan Median Age: 38 years old
- West Haven-Sylvan Median Household Income: $100,095
- West Haven-Sylvan Median House Price: $527,000
- West Haven-Sylvan Density: 3,931.5 people per square mile
- West Haven-Sylvan Map
9. Wood Village
Despite its name including the word “village”, Wood Village is a small city in Multnomah County squeezed between the neighboring areas of Fairview and Troutdale.
Wood Village is known for originally being established in 1951 as a community built for the first Reynolds Aluminum plant. The plant closed in 2000 but Wood Village has continued to see slow growth over the years.
There are a handful of great places to eat in Wood Village including a local Burrito Shop and The Rock Wood Fired Pizza.
The new Wood Village City Hall was recently built and completed in the summer of 2022.
- Wood Village Population: 4,057
- Wood Village Area: 0.9 square miles
- Wood Village Median Age: 31 years old
- Wood Village Median Household Income: $56,905
- Wood Village Median House Price: $122,600
- Wood Village Density: 4,305.2 people per square mile
- Wood Village Map
10. Maywood Park
The tiny Multnomah County city of Maywood Park is a bedroom community located about 12 miles northeast of Portland. Established in 1967, it is solely a residential area with no businesses or commercial buildings within its borders.
Maywood Park was named after area developer E.F. Taylor’s wife who said the city woods are especially beautiful in the month of May.
Nearby attractions to Maywood Park include the Government Island State Recreation Area and Hour to Midnight – Room Escape Games
- Maywood Park Population: 995
- Maywood Park Area: 0.2 square miles
- Maywood Park Median Age: 40 years old
- Maywood Park Median Household Income: $99,750
- Maywood Park Median House Price: $370,300
- Maywood Park Density: 5,768.9 people per square mile
- Maywood Park Map
List of Cities in Multnomah County(Table)
Here is a complete list of cities in Multnomah County, sorted first by population, then other metrics from the US Census. Education Level is the % of the population that has finished high school. The Population Growth is from 2010 to 2019. If they exist, under Type, we have included cities, towns, villages, census designated places and more.
OR Multnomah County
Map of Cities in Multnomah County
FAQs
How many cities are there in Multnomah County?
There are 8 cities in Multnomah County as well as 13 unincorporated communities and several census-designated places.
What is the most populous city in Multnomah County?
Portland is the largest city in Multnomah County by population with 645,291 people living there.
How many people live in Multnomah County?
The population in Multnomah County is 812,855 residents.
Which of Multnomah County’s Cities is Right for You?
Now that you have all the details you’d want to know about cities in Multnomah County, you can choose the location where you’d like to live. You can trust the top-rated Multnomah County movers here at PDX Movers to handle your relocation! Get in touch with us today by calling (503) 746-8795 or complete the Request a Quote form for a free moving estimate!
