The Portland Metro Chamber partners annually with DHM Research to survey registered voters and assess the shared priorities of those who call this region home. From December 6 to December 14, 2025, DHM Research conducted a hybrid survey of registered voters across the tri-county area. The survey tracked evolving attitudes toward economic conditions, employment, and community issues while measuring support for key policy options.
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Survey Data
This hybrid methodology, combining phone and text-to-online approaches, engaged 600 registered voters across the tri-county area: 210 voters from the City of Portland and 390 voters from Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties outside Portland’s boundary. The sample size enables comprehensive analysis of voter opinions overall and across demographic subgroups, including age, gender, region, and political party registration. Statistical weighting by age, gender, region, education (based on Census data), and party affiliation ensures results accurately represent the registered voter population. The margin of error for the full tri-county sample is ±4.0%. Due to rounding, some totals may differ by ±1 from the sum of individual responses.
Key Findings
- Regional sentiment declined in 2025. Wrong track sentiment increased to 47% from 38% in 2024, with quality of life perceptions deteriorating across the tri-county area (68% report conditions worsening, up from 59%).
- Voter priorities shifted from social issues to economic concerns. While concern about homelessness decreased from 71% in 2023 to 58% in 2025 and crime concern fell from 50% to 36%, strong concern about cost of living rose from 52% to 65% and job concerns increased from 14% to 35%.
- Economic pessimism intensified. For the first time, a majority (63%) rate economic opportunities as poor, up from 46% in 2024. Half of voters (52%) feel worse off than two years ago and expect conditions to worsen further.
- Progress has been made on longstanding challenges. Voters most frequently cite improvements in crime rates (24%) and homelessness (21%), with Portland residents perceiving substantially more progress than those in the broader tri-county area.
- Tax burden concerns remain elevated. 72% of voters believe taxes are too high for the services received.
- Downtown Portland momentum continues. Visits to downtown increased, with 62% of residents outside Portland visiting monthly (up from 45% in 2023). Perceptions of improved conditions rose from 29% to 37%, and perceptions of nighttime safety increased from 24% to 34%.
Community Sentiments
Voter sentiment about the region’s direction and quality of life declined in 2025, reversing gains made in 2024. Wrong track sentiment increased to 47% of voters, compared to 38% a year ago. The sharpest increases occurred in Washington County (31% in 2024 to 47% in 2025) and Clackamas County (23% to 42%), bringing them into alignment with Multnomah County at 49%. Quality of life perceptions deteriorated across the tri-county area, with 68% of voters reporting conditions are getting worse, up from 59% in 2024.
The intensity of voter concern shifted from social issues toward economic pressures. Voters identified homelessness (20%), high taxes (14%), cost of living and inflation (12%), affordable housing (11%), and immigration enforcement (10%) as the most pressing regional issues. Notably, mentions of homelessness as a top concern declined from 35% in 2024 and 40% in 2023. Similarly, voters expressing the highest levels of concern (9 or 10 on a 10-point scale) about homelessness decreased from 71% in 2023 to 58% in 2025, while concern about crime rates fell from 50% to 36% over the same period.
Economic concerns intensified during this timeframe. Mentions of high taxes as a top issue doubled from 6% to 14%, while mentions of the cost of living and inflation increased from 7% to 12%. Strong concern steadily increased about the cost of living rising from 52% in 2023 to 65% in 2025, and concern about jobs increased from 14% to 35%. This data indicates the tri-county region achieved measurable progress on homelessness and public safety while voter attention pivoted to economic challenges.
Economic Outlook
Tri-county voters maintain a predominantly pessimistic view of their economic circumstances. 52% of voters report feeling worse off compared to two years ago, an increase from 45% in 2024. Only 19% feel better off, while 27% believe their economic position remained stable. Voters residing in the city of Portland (52%) express less pessimism about changes in their financial positions compared to voters in the rest of the tri-county area (68%).
For the first time, a majority of tri-county voters rate their economic opportunities as poor. 63% of voters perceive poor economic opportunities in the Portland region, compared to 46% in 2024. Positive perceptions of economic opportunity fell from 42% to 27% over the past year. Looking forward, 52% of voters expect their economic circumstances to worsen in the next year, while 31% anticipate conditions will remain unchanged, and only 9% expect improvement.
Perceptions of Progress
Voters recognize progress on key issues where the region concentrated resources. Voters most frequently report improvements in crime rates (24%) and homelessness (21%) over the past year. Portland voters perceive substantially more progress on these issues compared to residents elsewhere in the tri-county area. Specifically, 38% of Portland voters cite improvements in crime rates versus 17% in the broader tri-county area. Similarly, 28% of Portland voters report improvements in homelessness compared to 17% outside the city.
Economic sentiment corresponds with minimal progress ratings on related issues. Only 8% of voters believe the Metro region made progress addressing jobs, and merely 4% perceive progress on cost of living. These assessments remain consistent among voters in Portland and throughout the region, reinforcing the negative economic outlook reflected in voter sentiment. Additionally, three in five voters believe businesses lack adequate support from local government.
Taxes and Policy
Voters maintain that their tax burden exceeds the value of the services they receive. 72% of tri-county voters express this sentiment, which remained stable across all three counties and consistent with recent years.
Downtown Portland
Visits to downtown Portland continued their upward trajectory. Two-thirds of tri-county voters visited downtown at least once in the previous month, consistent with 2024 levels. Residents outside Portland sustained their trend of increased visit frequency, with 62% visiting at least once monthly in 2025, up from 57% in 2024, and 45% in 2023.
Voter sentiment about downtown conditions and safety improved measurably. 37% of voters believe conditions in downtown improved over the past year, an increase from 29% in 2024. Perceptions of safety during daytime hours remained steady at 64%, while perceptions of safety at night increased from 24% in 2024 to 34% in 2025. These improvements in perception, combined with increased visitation, support continued momentum in strengthening downtown Portland as a regional destination.
About DHM Research:
DHM Research is an independent research firm that specializes in measuring the values and priorities that drive public opinion. Our research provides high-quality, objective information to help organizations and leaders make informed decisions about complex issues. We have decades of experience in polling, public policy research, and how it can help shape communities. DHM is proud to be recognized as a B Corp-certified company that meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
About the Portland Metro Chamber:
The Portland Metro Chamber was founded in 1870 and represents the largest, most diverse business network in the region. The Chamber brings together more than 2,300 members represented by dynamic and varied employers from around the Portland region, and offers a strong source of support, information, advocacy, engagement, and professional development opportunities. Grounded in its mission to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the Greater Portland and SW Washington region, the Chamber envisions a healthy and resilient business ecosystem where we work together to increase collaboration in governance; engage community; increase civic leadership; and advocate for a vibrant, livable region for all.