Multnomah County

Multnomah is derived from the Chinookan Native American word for “lower river”—a place Lewis and Clark described in detail in their journals. This area, the smallest and yet most populated county in Oregon, sits between the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Established in 1891, the Port of Portland comes third on the West Coast for total waterborne commerce and is a bustling center of shipping and commerce. Portland is known for its colorful and passionate politics, creative advertising agencies, and natural wonder. The International Rose Test Garden is located on a beautiful plot of land above the city center. More than 10,000 rose bushes of over 650 varieties are planted here, evaluated, and shipped world-wide for additional ‘testing’. To see their true beauty, and the sparkle of the City of Roses, visit in June at the height of bloom and take in the heady scent of roses in the air. Outside of the city you’ll discover communities with a lower cost of living than inside the city—places like Gresham, Fairview and Troutdale, where land is more affordable. Troutdale is a splendid place to live—close enough for commuting to the city—and yet on the way to the Historic Columbia River Hwy, Mt Hood Scenic Byway, and the Columbia River Gorge.