PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN) — The city of Portland has seen substantial growth in recent years, and that’s not expected to change in the new year.
Since 2010, Portland’s population has jumped 15%, according to the city, and development of more residential areas is underway to accommodate the influx of residents.
Portland City Planner Nate Heisler said he would describe Portland’s growth as “rapid.”
“We’ve seen a lot of residential development, we have a lot of new neighborhoods and subdivisions coming in,” Heisler told News 2’s Sam Chimenti.
Boosted by Nashville’s own growth, Portland’s population and local economy have been on an upward trajectory the last several years.
One major appeal continues to be housing. Housing expenses in Portland are 53% below the national average, according to Payscale, and more homes continue to be built.
By comparison, in Nashville, housing is 3% above the national average.
“I think, obviously, cost is going to have an impact,” said Jess Birdwell, a Portland realtor for EXIT Realty. “You can get more house here than you can in other areas. We kept it kind of a secret for awhile, but now the secret’s out.”
But locals believe that small-town feel still exists, even with more change on the horizon.
“I don’t feel like we’re going to become the next Hendersonville,” said Donna Sadler, who owns a business along Portland’s Main Street. “I think we’re going to keep our hometown feel, because the growth that we have is the right kind of growth. I mean, we’ve added homes, but we don’t have any of the big box stores here.”
Portland officials recognize that change, too. That’s why they launched “Preserve Portland” this past year, a land development plan that’s largely influenced by public feedback.
“It’s the first, full-city comprehensive plan that we’ve had. So it’s going to just, kind of, change the way we do things when it comes to zoning,” Heisler explained.
Portland plans to have this detailed plan in front of city council by next summer. As for the growth that’s already happening, there’s plenty of optimism around what the new year will bring.
“I feel like great things are in store for Portland and Sumner County, in general. With interest rates anticipated to go down, I think that’s going to make a huge difference,” said Birdwell.
