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An image of Portland's new district map approved by the Independent District Commission on August 16, 2023
Courtesy of the City of Portland
Voters in North and Northeast Portland will elect three city council members to represent their brand new district in City Hall this November. It’s one of four new city districts established through a voter-approved ballot measure two years ago.
District 2 includes nearly all Portland neighborhoods north of Interstate 84, east of the Willamette River, and west of Interstate 205, ranging from Cully to St. Johns to the Lloyd District. It’s home to many important civic landmarks like the Moda Center, Peninsula Park, Charles Jordan Community Center, Cathedral Park, Woodlawn Park and Matt Dishman Community Center. The entire district lies within Portland Public Schools’ district boundaries.
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The district is the second most diverse of the four districts, but the majority of residents still identify as white. According to the 2020 US Census, 70% of the population identifies as white, 10% identify as Black, 13% identify as Latino, and 6% identify as Asian.
District 2 is tied with East Portland’s District 1 neighborhood for having the highest percentage of homeowners in Portland, at 57%. Residents make a median household income of $90,000 and 12% live below the poverty line.
With 23% of all District 2 households including at least one child, the district is one of the youngest, with a median age of 38 years.
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The 22 candidates running for District 2 share similar concerns with the city’s biggest challenges, like affordable housing, public safety, and aging infrastructure. Yet they all bring different solutions to the table.
The candidates also bring varied backgrounds to the ballot. Those in the running include small business owners, social service providers, city employees, a security guard and one current city commissioner.
Related: Listen to 'OPB Politics Now'
Read how Portland’s District 2 candidates answered our candidate questionnaire:
Liz Taylor: Taylor did not submit answers to the questionnaire.