As growth returns, can Deschutes County keep up?

Central Oregon is growing much faster than the rest of the state, according to the most recent census estimates. Deschutes County’s population increased to more than 170,000 people last year, the seventh fastest-growing metro area in the country.

“I think maybe it surprised us a little bit, in terms of how quickly we jumped up to the top 10 metro areas in the U.S.,” Roger Lee, executive director at Economic Development for Central Oregon, said Thursday. “But we know that there would be a pendulum swing.”

The population growth decreased immensely during the recession, as it did just about everywhere. But even thenm the High Desert was growing.

“We had a positive population growth even during a recession,” said Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone.

The question everyone is asking is: Can the community keep up with the demand?

“When you have that kind of population growth, there are going to be those imbalances,” Lee said. “It’s not a perfect situation, where everybody is getting plugged into the exact right opportunity, from an employment perspective.”

The improved economy has brought lower unemployment in Deschutes County. But Central Oregon is facing a serious housing crisis, with less than 1 percent in rental housing availability.

“We all know we need affordable housing and housing opportunities, single-family homes, as well as duplexes and apartments,” DeBone said.

An increase in population might add momentum to a planned increase in Bend’s urban growth boundary, a process that has been underway for many years.

“Oregon’s land use system puts faster-growing places like Bend behind, perpetually behind,” Lee said.

The discussion over the UGB started years ago. It’s a process that experts fear might be too slow to keep up with the demand.

“We will be behind even the next time when we’re trying to do this,” Lee said.