Case Study
Each year, the Portland Metro Chamber partners with DHM Research to understand what matters most to voters across the region and how their priorities shape perceptions of economic opportunity. This work provides leaders with insight into how residents feel about their own economic situation and the opportunities they believe are–or aren’t–available to them.
In late 2025, DHM conducted a mixed-mode (phone and text-to-online) survey of 600 registered voters in the tri-county region, this included an oversample of Multnomah County voters. The survey reveals growing concerns about the economy, quality of life, and the overall future of the region. Compared to our 2024 survey, voters indicated increasing pessimism toward the economy, with over half of voters reporting that they are worse off compared to two years ago.
DHM presented the results of the 2025 survey at Portland Metro Chamber’s annual State of the Electorate Breakfast Forum. Our Senior Vice President, John Horvick, led a discussion of the data, with panelists from organizations across the city weighing in on the findings. Portland Metro Chamber continues to use the insights from our research to advocate for policy changes to strengthen economic opportunity in the Portland Metro area.
Our topline results and crosstabs are provided below for those interested.
When Portland’s City Council had to navigate difficult budget shortfalls, they partnered with DHM to conduct a multilingual, citywide survey asking residents to make real-life tradeoff decisions between essential services and revenue options. Facing difficult spending cuts in the Spring of 2025, DHM yielded nuanced insights that helped leaders make decisions with community values in mind.
Working with Multnomah County, DHM helped explore community perceptions, priorities, and policy preferences related to homelessness and housing services.
After a failed levy attempt for critical funding fell short, the City of Gresham turned to DHM to conduct in-depth research that uncovered voters’ concerns and priorities.