Portland Oregon Real Estate, Lake Oswego Real Estate, Beaverton Real Estate, Tigard Real Estate, Portland Realtor, Portland Oregon Real Estate Agent, Portland Real Estate, Portland Home, Real Estate Washington County OR, Clackamas County OR, Multnomah County OR

1st Quarter 2001 Figures; ** 3rd Quarter 1999 figures Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 3rd Quarter 2001

TAXATION INFORMATION Taxes in the metropolitan area are assessed according to location. There is no local or state sales tax in Oregon. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of the property.   PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATES, 2001 5% of taxable income $125 plus 7% of excess over $2,500 $391 plus 9% of excess over $6,300   Source: State of Oregon Department of Revenue AVERAGE PROPERTY TAX RATES PER $1,000 (2000-01) Multnomah County $18.96 Yamhill County $14.12 Washington County $14.50 Clackamas County $14.68 Clark County (Washington) $14.00 Columbia County $12.44 Source: State of Oregon Department of Revenue   GENERAL INFORMATION/FACTS POPULATION - 1.8 million within the metro area; 509,610 within the city limits AREA - 130 square miles ELEVATION - 173 feet above sea level LONGITUDE - 40 miles east of the 122nd meridian west LATITUDE - 30 miles north of the 45th parallel north MILES TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN - 78 MILES TO A GLACIER - 65 (Mount Hood) AVERAGE TEMPERATURES - 33.5 (January); 79.5 (July) AVERAGE PRECIPITATION 37" (less than Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston or Seattle - and without that nasty humidity) ACRES OF PARKS IN METRO AREA - 37,000, including the 5,000-acre Forest Park EMERGENCY - Call 911 for police, ambulance or fire NEWSPAPERS The daily paper is The Oregonian Free weekly tabloids include Our Town and Willamette Week TIME All of Oregon is on Pacific Standard Time, except for the Ontario city area in Eastern Oregon, which is on Mountain Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October. DRIVING The speed limit is 55 miles per hour on most highways. Where posted, the freeway speed limit is 65. Oregon law calls for drivers and passengers to buckle up for safety in both the front and back seats. The fine for each unbuckled person is $89. Oregon law also requires that drivers carry proof of insurance. WEATHER INFORMATION 503.275.9792 or 503.225.5555, access code 8051 ROAD CONDITIONS 503.222.6721   OTHER ESSENTIALS HEATING OIL - Many homes in the metropolitan area are heated with oil. Unlike natural gas or electricity, heating oil suppliers do not have regulated territories. As a result, prices vary between companies and each company offers its own delivery and payment options. GARBAGE COLLECTION & RECYCLING - Trash removal in the Portland area is contracted by private companies. Central Garbage Referral has information on handlers within the tri-county (Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington) area. For collection in other areas, contact the nearest city. The tri-county area has an active recycling program. In Portland and throughout most of the surrounding area, sorted recyclables are picked up at the curb weekly, with lawn and garden debris collected from every other week to once a month. The garbage hauler at no additional charge provides recycling containers. Recycling requirements may differ slightly from area to area; contact a garbage hauler for detailed information. REGISTERING TO VOTE -  A person may register to vote if they are a citizen of the United States by election day, will be 18 years or older by election day and are a resident of the state. All elections are by mail. Voters must be registered by the 21st day before an election. A change of residence, mailing address, name or party affiliation requires re-registration. A voter may notify county elections officials of these changes by sending a new voter registration card to the appropriate county. If the voter registration card is sent after the 21st day before an election, the voter should call the county elections official to find out how to remain eligible to vote in the election. LICENSING PETS - Pet licensing requirements and fees vary by county. In addition to a strict leash law, Multnomah County requires both dogs and cats six months and older to be licensed. Dogs must be licensed within 30 days in Washington County. A current rabies certificate is required. Puppies are licensed free until they are six months. Washington County will honor pet licenses from other counties or states until their expiration. Cats do not have to be licensed. Clackamas County also requires dogs to be licensed within 30 days. A current rabies certificate is also required. Clackamas County does not require cat licenses. AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION Residents are required to register their vehicle as soon as they establish residency. The fee $47 is for two years and includes registration, title and standard license plates. There are state Driver & Motor Vehicle Services branch offices throughout the metropolitan area. Vehicles in the metropolitan area are also required to pass an exhaust emissions test before licenses will be granted. The fee is $30 for two years. Vehicle emission test centers are located throughout the metropolitan area. For the nearest location, check the blue pages of the phone book under Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At press time, an increase in these fees was under consideration by Oregon voters. NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE - An Oregon driver's license must be obtained as soon as residency in the state has been established. With a valid, unexpired license from another state and a good driving record, only the written and vision tests are required. A driver's license is $54.50 for the original license and is valid for eight years. COMMUNITY PROFILES The metropolitan area is composed of six counties: Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill Counties in the state of Oregon; and Clark County in the state of Washington. These counties cover 5,103 square miles and have a population of 1.9 million. MULTNOMAH COUNTY Multnomah County, at 465 square miles, is the smallest county in Oregon. However, it has the largest population with more than half of the residents living in the city of Portland. Multnomah County is a narrow strip of land that runs from Sauvie Island at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers east to the western slopes of Mt. Hood. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 666,350 Population By City Fairview - 8,070 Gresham - 91,420 Maywood Park - 780 Portland - 536,240 Troutdale - 13,980 Wood Village - 2,860 Source:  Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census WASHINGTON COUNTY Located west of Multnomah County, 727-square-mile Washington County is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Its thriving high technology industry is the prime mover behind the upsurge in population and economy. The county also has some of Oregon's most productive agricultural land. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 666,350 Population By City Fairview - 8,070 Gresham - 91,420 Maywood Park - 780 Portland - 536,240 Troutdale - 13,980 Wood Village - 2,860 Source:  Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census WASHINGTON COUNTY Located west of Multnomah County, 727-square-mile Washington County is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Its thriving high technology industry is the prime mover behind the upsurge in population and economy. The county also has some of Oregon's most productive agricultural land. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 666,350 Population By City Fairview - 8,070 Gresham - 91,420 Maywood Park - 780 Portland - 536,240 Troutdale - 13,980 Wood Village - 2,860 Source:  Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census CLACKAMAS COUNTY The entire northern border of Clackamas County abuts Multnomah County's southern edge. The county is large, with 1,879 square miles of land. Clackamas County is home to some of Oregon's most prominent features including Mt. Hood (11,235 ft.) and Timberline Lodge, which has the country's only year-round skiing resort. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 345,150 Population By City Gladstone - 11,450 Lake Oswego - 35,580 Milwaukie - 20,550 Oregon City - 26,680 West Linn - 23,090 Wilsonville - 14,170 Source:  Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census COLUMBIA COUNTY Located northwest of Portland, Columbia County spans 687 square miles with 62 miles that run along the shores of the Columbia River. This rural county's main industries are agriculture, lumber and fishing. With so much of the county abutting the Columbia River, recreation is becoming a thriving industry. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 44,300 Population By City St. Helens - 10,380 Scappoose - 5,160 Source:  Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census YAMHILL COUNTY Located southwest of Portland, Yamhill County is one of the most agriculturally rich counties in the state. Historically known for its nut and fruit orchards, Yamhill County has a growing wine industry. The county is home to more than 40 wineries and 100 vineyards and is recognized as one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 86,400 Population By City McMinnville - 27,500 Newberg - 18,280 Source:  Portland State University Center for Population Research and Census CLARK COUNTY Although located in the state of Washington, Clark County's economy and lifestyle is tied to that of Portland's. Thousands of people who live there work in Portland. The county is home to regional and corporate headquarters, high tech manufacturing firms and traditional small businesses, creating a mix of urban density and wide-open spaces. 2001 Estimates Total County Population - 352,600 Population By City Vancouver - 145,300 Camas - 12,970 Battleground - 10,040 Source:  State of Washington Office of Financial Management HEALTH CARE & EMERGENCY NUMBERS      Medical/Fire/Police      9-1-1      Poison Control Center  503-494-8968      Suicide Prevention      503-223-6161 MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS      Oregon Dental Association..........503-620-3230      Oregon Medical Association.........503-226-1555      Multnomah Dental Society...........503-223-4731 HOSPITALS      Doernbecher Children's Hospital                   503-494-8811      Eastmoreland Hospital                               503-234-0411      Kaiser Permanente                                    503-813-2000      Emannuel Children's Hospital                       503-413-2500      Emannuel Hospital & Health Center               503-413-4416      Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center     503-229-7711      Meridian Park Hospital                                503-692-1212      Mt. Hood Medical Center                            503-697-1122      Pacific Gateway Hospital                            800-234-4545      Portland Adventist Medical Center                503-257-2500