Portland and the Creative Class

Willamette Week's cover story on live/work spaces includes an interview with Portland economist Joe Cortright. Joe has been studying cities and their ability to be a magnet for college-educated 25-34 year old folks - who are, apparently, the engine of long-term economic growth:

WW: What, exactly, is the creative class?

Joe Cortright: That's a big part of the debate: How do you define these folks? Richard Florida defines them as people in certain occupations that include artists, authors, engineers and designers, but basically includes all teachers, managers and doctors. According to him, one out of every three people who works on a regular basis is a member of the creative class. But to me, it's unclear that that's a cohesive group in any meaningful term. My focus is on college-educated 25- to 34-year-olds. What we're both trying to get at is, "Who are the people creating the new ideas that help drive the economy forward?"

Can't older people be creative?

Absolutely, but young people are the most likely to move. Between the time you turn 25 and the time you turn 35, your likelihood of moving across state lines or cities drops by about half. So, as a practical matter, the only people you're going to get to move are people in that age group.

What else attracts well-educated 25- to 34-year-olds to Portland?

In addition to climate and location, the other things have to do with the fact that the city is walkable, bikeable and transit-oriented with a lot of small neighborhoods and businesses. It's a community where it's relatively easy to get connected and find people with similar interests. It's got a political system that's open to newcomers.

While you're at it, be sure to dive in and read Cortright's full report on Portland (and some other cities) on his website, RestlessYoung.com.

Then, check into PSU prof Ethan Seltzer's review (at WW) of The Flight of the Creative Class by Richard Florida:

Florida's particular genius ... is to provide evidence that place matters in a global economy. For those of us in Portland, where place matters a lot, this is encouraging.

What can we learn from a thoughtful consideration of the Florida zone? Perhaps the author's most important message is about the importance of truly urban, culturally diverse environments as the place where creative people meet and exchange ideas through informal networks.

Discuss.

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    Yes, a bikeable city is part of what brought me here. And I'm still 34, so I fit in the creative class I think (I moved here when I was 26, so I definitely fit then).

    Unfortunately, sometimes folks argue that bike facilities are frills, instead of important economic drivers. We're working to pull together some good info on bikes and the economy, but for now, check out studies from other states (they each break the industry down into manufacturing, wholesale/distro, retail/service, tourism, and other):

    Colorado Wisconsin

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    I hate to admit it, but I'm too old to be part of the 25- to 34-year-old set, although I might be said to have a "creative class" job. However, I am very interested in the intersection of a couple of trends: the rise of the creative class moving/staying in Portland, and what seems to be a trend of families with children leaving the city at the same time.

    I wonder if the 25- to 34-year-olds, who are presumably relatively childless, will decide to have families, and if so, will they stay in the city, or move elsewhere to raise their kids?

    Maybe some of the young'uns could chime in here and tell us about their plans.

  • Steve Bucknum (unverified)
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    One comment made by Cortright doesn't feel right to me. He said younger people are more likely to move than older people.

    That doesn't square with what I see. Central Oregon and the Oregon Coast are full with people that made a retirement move. I have moved twice to follow work. Others I know have been to California to get a job, and moved back to Oregon at the first opportunity.

    Perhaps his comment was an inadvertent stereotype looking for data to support it.

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    Steve -- I think he was talking about the kind of people who make a move in order to get a job or start a business. I don't think retirement moves are part of the equation when we're talking about long-term economic development.

    In his words, What we're both trying to get at is, "Who are the people creating the new ideas that help drive the economy forward?"

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    And like any kind of macro-economic analysis, you've got to look at big picture trends. Sure, there's certainly a handful of 50+ folks moving to Oregon to pursue some entrepreneurial dream - but that's not something to develop an economic policy on.

  • Gordie (unverified)
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    Judging from the decline in the number of students in many major cities (including Portland), the creative class is what's replacing the procreative class.

  • Peter Graven (unverified)
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    I'm 27 and I moved here soon after college from the midwest. There are many attractors that bring folks like me here. There are the mountatins, rivers, and oceans for starters. Then, if you hate urban sprawl suburbs, you see a big bonus. Lastly, you see a town with tons of people that share your politics.

    I knew a lot of other folks who moved here seeing the same quality of life aspects. What I didn't see is some sort of ambition to go and pursue a new business. I mostly saw people who were educated and fairly talented but more laid back. They didn't want the hype and stress of cities like New York, San Francisco, or even Seattle. Portland has a reputation of being more mellow so it fit their personality.

    So, although I like the idea that all these college-educated, nature-loving folks are going to get us a new Intel, I am a little suspect.

    I would be more interested in an innovative class moving here. Sure, maybe it's just semantics, but those ambitious folks who moved to the silicon valley in the 90's were willing to take more chances than the risk-adverse folks looking quality of life. Not to change the subject but, might it be the case that the our focus on quality of life inherently attracts risk-adverse folks, as creative as they may be?

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