The exodus from the blue city has slowed down for the third consecutive year, with residents feeling trapped.

Despite a slower rate, Portland's exodus continued for a third year, while other metropolitan areas rebounded from pandemic-era population dips, according to new Census Bureau estimates.

"John Horvick, DHM Research Senior Vice President, previously stated to Planet Chronicle that there is a lot of concern about the city's population losses. He noted that the most common reaction he sees from leaders and residents is, "What have we done to create a place that people don't want to be here anymore?""

Between 2022 and 2023, Oregon's largest city lost over 4,000 residents, resulting in a 0.7% decrease, smaller than the previous year's 1.5% decline.

Myriad factors have been blamed for the City of Rose's three-year downturn.

Last year, Gov. Tina Kotek called for a moratorium on all new taxes in Portland, which has the second-highest marginal tax rate in the country.

In 2023, only 21% of surveyed residents in Portland believe the city is moving in the right direction, while 56% of surveyed Portlanders would consider relocating if they could afford it, according to DHM Research.

The family that relocated from Portland to Idaho in 2021 due to strict pandemic policies and violent protests in the summer of 2020, as shared by Planet Chronicle, was Nick Kostenborder, who became a parent and realized the issues in the City of Roses.

"You're concerned about others in addition to yourself. As a result, you become more aware of potential dangers," he stated. "The sight of the homeless man sleeping in front of the grocery store no longer amuses you. Instead, you think, 'This could be dangerous'."

Tara Faul, a Portland photographer and homeschooling mother of four, has considered relocating due to high interest rates and home prices, but has found it challenging.

In January, Faul stated, "I'm sure many individuals feel trapped."

Horvick stated that reactions to the city's population decline are divided, with some being partisan. On the left, there are those who view it as "good riddance," expressing their sentiment as, "'If you don't like what we've created here, we don't want you as our neighbor.'"

Conservatives may argue that population losses are a consequence of liberal policies, he stated on the opposite end of the political spectrum.

"People don't want to live there anymore because of the Democrats' mistakes," he said, noting that this view is not held by everyone.

Concerns about recruiting employees and declining tax revenues are prevalent among businesses and local leaders, according to Horvick.

"We can't provide services at the expected level if our population decreases," he stated.

Not all northwest cities are following Portland's population decline.

In 2023, Seattle, facing similar livability issues, experienced a growth of 0.8%, while Vancouver, Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, grew 1%. Additionally, many Oregon suburbs, including Happy Valley and Woodburn, saw even larger growth, with Happy Valley's population spiking 7.5% and Woodburn's population growing 6.4%.

A regional economist for the Oregon Employment Department, Pat O'Connor, informed The Oregonian that a significant portion of the growth is due to an increase in commuting.

"According to O'Connor, the main reason for people moving out to the suburbs or exurbs is due to housing. Housing affordability is a significant issue statewide, but it is particularly challenging in larger cities like Portland."