County food-access profile · Oregon

Multnomah County, OR

Most of Multnomah County sits within reach of a supermarket, better than most U.S. counties. This profile covers who, if anyone, qualifies as a food desert here, plus the income, SNAP, and vehicle-access context from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and the Census ACS (2024).

7.6%
low-access pop.
6
food-desert tracts
16.1%
on SNAP
801K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 OR

The food-access picture

7.6% of Multnomah County residents live in a low-access area, and 6 of its 171 census tracts are USDA-designated food deserts.

24
low-access tracts
11K
food-desert residents
12.6%
households, no vehicle
12.6%
below poverty line

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA, 1-and-10-mile measure).

By the USDA's measure, Multnomah County fares better than most: just 7.6% of residents live in a low-access tract, below the national share. Still, 24 of the county's 171 tracts meet that threshold, covering about 55,946 people who live far from a supermarket, and 6 of those also meet the low-income condition that defines a food desert, home to roughly 11,043 low-income residents.

How the USDA defines low-access and food-desert tracts

The USDA measures food access by distance to the nearest supermarket. A census tract is "low-access" when a meaningful share of residents live more than one mile from a supermarket in urban areas, or more than ten miles in rural areas. A tract becomes a "food desert" only when it is both low-access and low-income, because distance is far harder to overcome for households without a car or a cushion in the budget. Counts on this page are aggregated from the tract level, where the federal data is actually published, so a single county figure can hide neighbourhoods that are much better or much worse served than the average. Distance also does not capture everything that shapes whether a family eats well: the presence of a full-service grocer rather than a convenience store, public transit, food pantries, and the price and quality of what is on the shelf all matter beyond the radius the Atlas can draw.

How Multnomah County compares nationally

Food access in Multnomah County compares favorably nationally: its 7.6% low-access share is lower than the vast majority of the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA data, higher than only 15% of them (rank #2,671).

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Multnomah County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

All 171 census tracts in Multnomah County, grouped by USDA classification (see "How the USDA defines low-access and food-desert tracts" above for what each tier means).

Food access tier distribution for Multnomah County, OR USDA-defined food-access tiers: 147 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 18 limited, 6 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 171 tracts evaluated. 147 tracts adequate (86.0%) 18 tracts limited (10.5%) 6 tracts severe / food desert (3.5%) Adequate 86% Limited 11% Severe 4% Food-access tier distribution: Multnomah County, OR
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

Multnomah County vs. other Oregon counties

Share of the population living in low-access areas, compared with other counties in Oregon

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Multnomah County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts171
Atlas Population (2010 basis)735,334
Low-Access Tracts24
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)6
Low-Access Population55,946
Low-Access Share7.6%well below the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population11,043

Demographics & Assistance (Census ACS 2024)

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Multnomah County
IndicatorValue
Population801,477
Median Household Income$88,766
Poverty Rate12.6%below the national average
SNAP Households56,291
SNAP Participation Rate16.1%above the national average
Households Without a Vehicle12.6%well above the national average
Group-Quarters Population2.7%
SNAP participation in Multnomah County 16.1%

About 16.1% of Multnomah County households receive SNAP, versus a U.S. county median in the 11–13% range (Census ACS).

What this means

  • 7.6% of residents are low-access, below the national share for U.S. counties.
  • 16.1% of households receive SNAP, the federal program that offsets food costs for 56,291 households here.
  • 12.6% of households have no vehicle, the hidden multiplier that turns distance into a real barrier.
  • 6 tracts meet the USDA food-desert threshold (low-income and low-access).

USDA low-access figures reflect the 2019 Atlas (2010 tract populations); socioeconomic context is the latest Census ACS 5-year (2024).

What the food-access data shows for Multnomah County

below the national share

6 of Multnomah County's 171 census tracts are USDA-designated food deserts, low-income areas where many residents also live far from a supermarket, about 3.5% of all its tracts.

A further 18 tracts are low-access but not low-income, bringing the total low-access tract count to 24.

An estimated 55,946 residents, roughly 7.6% of the county's 2010 population, live in one of these low-access areas.

Of those, 11,043 are also low-income, the group most exposed to genuine food hardship, since limited transportation compounds a limited budget.

The remaining 147 tracts (86.0%) meet the USDA's adequate-access threshold.

SNAP retailers in Multnomah County

Multnomah County has 629 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 3 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 173 locations (28% of the total), followed by combination grocery/other.

Convenience Store · 173

  • 102nd street market 1, portland
  • 162nd & glisan market, portland
  • 181st shell, portland
  • 21st ave quick stop market llc, portland
  • 28th food mart, portland
  • 3 d's market, portland
  • 365 convenience with deli, portland
  • 365 convenience with deli 10, fairview
  • 365 convenience with deli 2, portland
  • 365 convenience with deli 3, portland
  • 365 convenience with deli 4 4, portland
  • 365 convenience with deli 5, fairview
  • 365 convenience with deli 7, portland
  • 365 convenience with deli 8, portland
  • 365 knotts inc, portland
  • 39th mini mart, portland
  • 50th market, portland
  • 52nd ave market, portland
  • 7 eleven 25364d, gresham
  • 7 eleven 29058c 29058c, portland
  • 7 lucky, gresham
  • 7 market 1, gresham
  • 7-eleven 17295 d, portland
  • 7-eleven 21998 f, portland
  • 7-eleven 23114 a, portland
  • 7-eleven 27614 c, portland
  • 7-eleven 14503a, portland
  • 7-eleven 16619d, portland
  • 7-eleven 16710 b, portland
  • 7-eleven 19669 e, portland
  • 7-eleven 19909e, portland
  • 7-eleven 20060d, portland
  • 7-eleven 24242e, portland
  • 7-eleven 24847d, portland
  • 7-eleven 25200f, portland
  • 7-eleven 25515m, portland
  • 7-eleven 34678a, portland
  • 7-eleven 35266 a, portland
  • 7-eleven 35280 a, portland
  • 7-eleven 35340a, gresham
  • 7-eleven 35695a, portland
  • 7-eleven store 17033c, portland
  • 7-eleven store 17959e, portland
  • 7-eleven store 35861a, portland
  • 7-eleven #14504c 14504c, portland
  • 7-eleven #16083g 16083g, portland
  • 7-eleven #17458f 17458f, portland
  • 7-eleven #19302f 19302f, portland
  • 7-eleven #29209b 29209b, portland
  • 7-eleven #36773b 36773b, portland
  • 7-eleven #38495b 38495b, portland
  • 7-eleven 14491f 14491f, portland
  • 7-eleven 14495a, portland
  • 7-eleven 16535e, portland
  • 7-eleven 19101f, portland
  • 7-eleven 21075f, portland
  • 7-eleven 21907d, gresham
  • 7-eleven 35021a, portland
  • 7-eleven 35597b, portland
  • 7-eleven 37939a, portland
  • 7-eleven 38601, portland
  • 7-eleven 39400b, portland
  • 76 of gresham, gresham
  • 82 powell deli & grocery, portland
  • 82nd ave extra mile 12, portland
  • 82nd market, portland
  • 90th mini mart, portland
  • 9th avenue mini mart, portland
  • a1 food mart, portland
  • akv mart, gresham
  • asap market, portland
  • ampm 05874 5874, portland
  • ampm 889, portland
  • ap market, portland
  • arco am/pm 1187, gresham
  • arco ampm 65264, gresham
  • arco ampm 7216, portland
  • arco ampm 82936, wood village
  • astro 204, portland
  • astro express mart 202, portland
  • aziz chevron prescott 4162, portland
  • b c food store, portland
  • babushka russian deli & bakery, wood village
  • belmont arco, portland
  • best buy foods no, portland
  • bob's handy pantry, portland
  • bodega pdx 0, portland
  • burlingame shell, inc., portland
  • burnside market and deli, portland
  • buy2 35, portland
  • byway market, wood village
  • chevron foodmart 03-033, wood village
  • chinatown convenience store, portland
  • csi 1011, portland
  • csi 1144, portland
  • csi 1159, portland
  • capitol hwy market, portland
  • chance's arco, portland
  • checkers mart, portland
  • chevron extra mile 4218, portland
  • chevron food mart, portland
  • chill zone c-store and smoke shop, portland
  • chill zone c-store, portland
  • city food mart, portland
  • civic food mart, portland
  • clinton market, portland
  • commodore grocery, portland
  • convenience quick mini-mart, portland
  • convenience store near me, portland
  • corbett country market, corbett
  • cracker barrel grocery mart, portland
  • delta mini market, portland
  • delta park chevron, portland
  • discount mini mart, portland
  • discounts plus 3, gresham
  • division chevron, portland
  • division food mart pdx, portland
  • division st mini mart llc, portland
  • downtown market, portland
  • el porvenir mini market, portland
  • everest m market, portland
  • evergreen market, portland
  • everyday food mart, portland
  • everyday food mart foster llc, portland
  • express market, portland
  • faloma market, portland
  • fairview chevron, fairview
  • fairview tobacco market, fairview
  • fastrak fuel mart, portland
  • five star chevron, portland
  • food fair market, portland
  • food mart, portland
  • food villa market, portland
  • friendly market, portland
  • g & s market, portland
  • going street market, portland
  • gateway 76 inc, portland
  • glen irvin market, troutdale
  • good neighbor market 0, portland
  • grab & go mart, portland
  • gresham downtown extra mile chevron 22, gresham
  • gresham hogan extra mile chevron 24, gresham
  • grocery & mart, portland
  • halsey market, portland
  • happy market, portland
  • hawthorne market, portland
  • helens market, portland
  • hillsdale food & fuel, llc, portland
  • hilton's haven inc., gresham
  • hogan market, gresham
  • holgate gas & grocery, portland
  • holgate market & deli, portland
  • hollywood food market, portland
  • hood ave market, gresham
  • hoot owl market, portland
  • i & a market, portland
  • in & out market, gresham
  • it's all good natural foods, portland
  • j&t market, portland
  • jae's market, portland
  • jacksons food store 563, portland
  • jacksons food stores 504, portland
  • jacksons food stores 505, portland
  • jacksons food stores 506, portland
  • jacksons food stores 507, portland
  • jacksons food stores 508, portland
  • jacksons food stores 509, fairview
  • jacksons food stores 520, portland
  • jacksons food stores 521, portland
  • jacksons food stores 522, portland
  • jacksons food stores 523, portland
  • jacksons food stores 525, troutdale
  • jacksons food stores 526, portland

Combination Grocery/Other · 63

  • 7-eleven 35023b, portland
  • barbur world foods, portland
  • beaumont village market, portland
  • bi-mart 630, gresham
  • bi-mart 651, portland
  • bi-mart 653, portland
  • boo han market, portland
  • cvs pharmacy 11185, portland
  • cvs pharmacy 11282, portland
  • cvs pharmacy 11292, portland
  • cvs pharmacy 11335, portland
  • cvs pharmacy 11392, portland
  • cafung, portland
  • dollartree 8708, portland
  • dollartree 8813, gresham
  • dollar tree 1463, portland
  • dollar tree 1858, portland
  • dollar tree 1863, troutdale
  • dollar tree 2338, portland
  • dollar tree 2462, gresham
  • dollar tree 2969, portland
  • dollar tree 4627, portland
  • dollar tree 5163, portland
  • dollar tree 5227, portland
  • dollar tree 6192, portland
  • dollar tree 7285, portland
  • e & k african store llc, portland
  • food fight grocery inc, portland
  • fu kee trading llc, portland
  • growers outlet, portland
  • hollywood grocery outlet, portland
  • khoe va dep, inc, portland
  • la nayarita supermarket llc 1, gresham
  • lizzy's organics, portland
  • longs seafood market, portland
  • merkato ethiopian food store llc, portland
  • osman family halal market, portland
  • pacific sea food inc, portland
  • park ave market llc, portland
  • peoples food cooperative, portland
  • portland fish market, portland
  • portland halal market, portland
  • saigon market llc, portland
  • sam bao trading, portland
  • schedeens in gresham, gresham
  • stadium superette, portland
  • tan sang tropical fruit #2, portland
  • the realm refillery, portland
  • tienda mi tierra pdx corporation, gresham
  • vieng lao oriental market, portland
  • walgreens 03838, gresham
  • walgreens 03890, portland
  • walgreens 03925, portland
  • walgreens 04296, portland
  • walgreens 04353, portland
  • walgreens 04495, portland
  • walgreens 05647, portland
  • walgreens 05910, troutdale
  • walgreens 06426, portland
  • walgreens 07119, portland
  • walgreens 11398, gresham
  • walgreens 15154, portland
  • walgreens 5572, portland

Bakery Specialty · 14

  • franz bakery thrift 9011, portland
  • franz bakery thrift 9015, portland
  • papa murphy's or013, portland
  • papa murphy's or025, portland
  • papa murphy's or027, portland
  • papa murphy's or055, portland
  • papa murphy's pizza division or056, portland
  • papa murphy's pizza halsey or040, portland
  • papa murphy's pizza or-045, portland
  • papa murphy's pizza or037, portland
  • papa murphy's pizza or128, gresham
  • papa murphy's pizza powell or091, portland
  • papa murphy's take n bake pizza or08, gresham
  • papa murphy's take n bake pizza or98, wood village

Showing 250 of 629 authorized retailers, largest categories first.

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator, currently authorized retailers.

Other Counties in Oregon

Compare Multnomah County vs Baker County → · All Oregon counties →

Food access nationally, Oregon in context

Multnomah County sits inside Oregon (ringed). Each state is colored by its population-weighted low-access share; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Understand the Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What share of Multnomah County has low food access?
7.6% of residents in Multnomah County, OR live in low-access areas, more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket, per the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019).
What is the SNAP participation rate in Multnomah County?
16.1% of households in Multnomah County receive SNAP, covering 56,291 households (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).
What is the poverty rate in Multnomah County?
The poverty rate in Multnomah County, OR is 12.6%, with a median household income of $88,766 (Census ACS 2024).
Is Multnomah County a food desert?
6 of Multnomah County's 171 census tracts meet the USDA food-desert threshold (low-income and low-access). Food deserts are designated at the tract level, so conditions can vary within the county.
What share of Multnomah County households lack a vehicle?
12.6% of households in Multnomah County have no vehicle available (Census ACS 2024), which compounds any distance to a supermarket.
Data Sources & Methodology

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019): low-access and food-desert tract classifications, low-access population, and low-income low-access counts. ers.usda.gov/food-access-research-atlas

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates: population, median income, poverty, SNAP participation, vehicle access, and group quarters. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

Low access is defined as living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket; a food desert adds a low-income condition. Read the full methodology →

Data current as of (most recent source-data vintage; figures reflect the 2019 USDA Atlas and 2024 Census ACS).

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.