Daycare Cost in Multnomah County, OR

Childcare in Multnomah County, OR

Multnomah County, home to Portland, has a population of 800,000 and serves as the economic and cultural center of Oregon. Major employers including Intel (in neighboring Washington County but employing many Multnomah residents), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Providence Health, and the Nike-adjacent creative economy create strong childcare demand from a professional workforce. Infant care averages a steep $21,168 per year, among the highest in the Pacific Northwest, driven by Portland's progressive values that emphasize quality early education and the region's chronically tight labor market that constrains provider capacity. Portland's culture of environmental consciousness and outdoor education influences many childcare programs, with nature-based and forest preschool models more common here than in most metros.

Finding Care

Inner Portland neighborhoods like Pearl District, Alberta Arts, and Hawthorne/Division have the highest concentration of childcare centers, many with waitlists that begin at pregnancy. The suburban ring of Gresham, Troutdale, and Wood Village has more affordable options but faces supply constraints, particularly for infant care. East Portland, the county's most diverse and lower-income area, has fewer quality-rated providers relative to its population. Multnomah County's childcare workforce shortage is among the most acute in the state, and many centers operate below licensed capacity.

Local Resources

Child Care Resource and Referral of Multnomah County, operated through Neighborhood House, provides free referrals, subsidy navigation through Oregon's Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program, and quality improvement support. Preschool for All, a voter-approved Metro-area initiative funded by a high-earner tax, is rolling out universal preschool across Multnomah County starting with the highest-need communities. Head Start and Early Head Start in Multnomah County are operated by the Mt. Hood Community College Head Start program, Portland Public Schools, and several community partners, with extensive sites across the county.