This measure reflects how Portlanders perceive equity and inclusion in their city—a critical indicator of community trust, belonging, and social cohesion. When residents believe that everyone can succeed and thrive regardless of their identity, it suggests that City policies, services, and culture are supporting equitable opportunities and outcomes. Tracking this perception provides a high-level view of whether the City is moving in the right direction over time in fostering a more inclusive and equitable Portland.

On average, Portlanders “somewhat agree” that Portland is a city where everyone can succeed and thrive regardless of their identity, as indicated by a city-wide average score of 3.09, on a five-point scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means “Don’t Agree at All” and 5 means “Extremely Agree”. Fig 101

Comparing the means of the different races/ethnicities, as shown in the figure below, American Indian or Alaska Native respondents had a higher level of agreement than all other groups, while Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander respondents showed a lower level of agreement. However, the effect size was small, suggesting the actual differences seen between these groups may not be of great practical utility. 

Examining the level of agreement by gender identity, ratings fell closest to Somewhat Agree across all groups, with participants who identify as men having the highest average. Again, the statistical difference was small, indicating limited practical meaningfulness (Fig 102.) Similarly, Sexual Orientation was also found to have a small impact overall (Fig 103.)

Finally, approaching the same question by Disability Status, we find that people who identify as having or living with a disability were more likely to Somewhat agree than their counterparts, but again the effect size was small and limited practical importance (Fig 104.)

FIGURE SOURCE: 2024 Insights Survey Report

The Portland Insights Survey provides this data point, and disaggregation by demographics. Conducted biennially by the City Budget Office and Portland State University's Population Research Center, this representative and generalizable survey reached over 4000 residents in 2024 from all neighborhoods and demographics. City leadership uses survey feedback to inform budget development and policymaking.

The survey question, which asked, “How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement?  Portland is a city where everyone can succeed and thrive regardless of their identity (race, ethnicity, disability, gender, language, religion, and sexual orientation).” offered five possible answers on a 5-point sliding scale, 1 “Do not Agree at all”, 2 “Slightly Agree”, 3 “Somewhat Agree”, 4 “Moderately Agree”, and 5 “Extremely Agree”. This indicator is the average of all Portlanders’ answers to this question.

A similar question was asked in 2022, but with different options including a neutral position (no longer offered.) In 2022, using a bipolar scale, 44.7% responded with Disagree or Strongly Disagree, compared to 28.6% that Agreed or Strongly Agreed. Notably, in 2022, 21.4% took a neutral position of Neither Agreed nor Disagreed (fig 99.) 

FIGURE SOURCE: 2024 Insights Survey Report

For more general information check out the Portland Insights Survey project.
 
To view past year surveys and results, visit the Portland Insights Survey report page.