If you intend to visit Gresham, remember to bring crayons and apple sauce pouches in case you need to divert a roving group of young children.
Additionally, always have a full bottle of hand sanitizer, one Mercy Watson book, and at least two identical plush animals because you might have to navigate a 4-year-old’s birthday party that is blocking the sidewalk.
Why? Because it seems that Gresham has the greatest proportion of toddlers in the whole country.
45.5% of Gresham’s under-18 population is under five, according to U.S. census data from 350 cities, according to stroller and child seat manufacturer Chicco.
According to Chicco’s analysts, Gresham has experienced the biggest increase in young children during the last five years, rising by 30.4%. The population of children under five has grown by 59.3% during the past ten years, which is the biggest rise in the country.
Why is the number of children increasing?
Chicco doesn’t respond to that, and no Gresham toddlers were available for comment at the time.
However, I can tell you that the sand on the banks of the neighboring Sandy River is very alluring, and the Springwater Corridor is an ideal biking route—especially if you experience it while sleeping in the back of a gently bouncing trailer. I say this as a parent of a former toddler and as a former toddler myself.
Another advantage that Gresham’s young people might find useful? All of the three and four-year-olds are eligible for free preschool, known as Preschool for All, because they live in Multnomah County.
Even though toddlers aren’t very interested in real estate, housing in Gresham is far less expensive than in Portland, and in some of Gresham’s nearby communities, like Fairview and Troutdale, it’s even less expensive.
Therefore, should a toddler who wants to be nearer to their friends think about moving to Gresham? Perhaps! But first, speak with your parents. At the very least, they will want to know your destination.
Lizzy Acker writes the advice column and studies culture and life. Why, Tho?You can contact her at [email protected] or 503-221-8052.
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