About Metro | Metro
Source: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/about-metro
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:34
About Metro | Metro
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Metro is the regional government in greater Portland, Oregon
From housing to parks to recycling, Metro works with community members, community organizations, business leaders and other governments to provide essential services and plan for the region’s future.
Housing and supportive services: Metro funds the creation of new affordable housing, as well as rent assistance and services that help people stay in stable homes.
Parks and natural areas: Metro protects clean water, restores habitat, and connects people to nature across 19,000 acres of parks, trails and natural areas — and at the Oregon Zoo.
Garbage and recycling: Metro manages the garbage and recycling system, runs waste facilities and waste prevention programs, and cleans up garbage in public spaces.
Land use and transportation: Metro manages a long-term plan for housing, jobs and transportation across the region, while preserving farms, forests and clean air.
Arts and events: Metro runs the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Portland’5 Centers for the Arts.
Metro serves communities small and large across three Oregon counties
Metro’s service district boundary
encompasses 24 cities in areas of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
The northern edge of the service boundary follows the Columbia River, which separates Oregon and Washington states. As the crow flies, it’s about 25 miles from there to the southernmost edge, along the Willamette River near Wilsonville. A straight line across the district east to west covers about 37 miles, from the Sandy River near Troutdale to Forest Grove near the Coast Range.
The region’s population is nearly 1.7 million.
Metro is led by a nonpartisan elected council
The Metro Council is made up of a president who is elected regionwide, and six councilors elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. The council appoints a chief operating officer to carry out council policies and initiatives and manage Metro’s operations. The Metro Auditor is elected regionwide, oversees Metro’s annual financial statements and conducts internal performance audits.
More about Metro
Structure and operations
Learn about Metro's organizational structure, finances and funding, internal initiatives and code.
Metro Code
The Metro Code is a set of laws that govern activity in the Metro District. The code is divided into eleven titles, and each title is further divided into chapters and sections. Administrative rules further implement certain code chapters.
Finances and funding
Metro’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Visitor venues
Oregon Convention Center
As a premier event venue in the Pacific Northwest and a LEED Platinum sustainability leader, the Oregon Convention Center provides outstanding experiences by embracing the local flavor and innovative approaches.
Oregon Zoo
Located on 64 forested acres in Portland’s Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is a hub for science, conservation, education and animal well-being.
Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
The fifth largest performing arts center in the U.S., the Portland'5 Centers for the Arts are national leaders in venue management.
Portland Expo Center
The Portland Expo Center is Oregon’s largest multi-purpose facility.
Skip to main content
Metro is the regional government in greater Portland, Oregon
From housing to parks to recycling, Metro works with community members, community organizations, business leaders and other governments to provide essential services and plan for the region’s future.
Housing and supportive services: Metro funds the creation of new affordable housing, as well as rent assistance and services that help people stay in stable homes.
Parks and natural areas: Metro protects clean water, restores habitat, and connects people to nature across 19,000 acres of parks, trails and natural areas — and at the Oregon Zoo.
Garbage and recycling: Metro manages the garbage and recycling system, runs waste facilities and waste prevention programs, and cleans up garbage in public spaces.
Land use and transportation: Metro manages a long-term plan for housing, jobs and transportation across the region, while preserving farms, forests and clean air.
Arts and events: Metro runs the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Expo Center and Portland’5 Centers for the Arts.
Metro serves communities small and large across three Oregon counties
Metro’s service district boundary
encompasses 24 cities in areas of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
The northern edge of the service boundary follows the Columbia River, which separates Oregon and Washington states. As the crow flies, it’s about 25 miles from there to the southernmost edge, along the Willamette River near Wilsonville. A straight line across the district east to west covers about 37 miles, from the Sandy River near Troutdale to Forest Grove near the Coast Range.
The region’s population is nearly 1.7 million.
Metro is led by a nonpartisan elected council
The Metro Council is made up of a president who is elected regionwide, and six councilors elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. The council appoints a chief operating officer to carry out council policies and initiatives and manage Metro’s operations. The Metro Auditor is elected regionwide, oversees Metro’s annual financial statements and conducts internal performance audits.
More about Metro
Structure and operations
Learn about Metro's organizational structure, finances and funding, internal initiatives and code.
Metro Code
The Metro Code is a set of laws that govern activity in the Metro District. The code is divided into eleven titles, and each title is further divided into chapters and sections. Administrative rules further implement certain code chapters.
Finances and funding
Metro’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Visitor venues
Oregon Convention Center
As a premier event venue in the Pacific Northwest and a LEED Platinum sustainability leader, the Oregon Convention Center provides outstanding experiences by embracing the local flavor and innovative approaches.
Oregon Zoo
Located on 64 forested acres in Portland’s Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is a hub for science, conservation, education and animal well-being.
Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
The fifth largest performing arts center in the U.S., the Portland'5 Centers for the Arts are national leaders in venue management.
Portland Expo Center
The Portland Expo Center is Oregon’s largest multi-purpose facility.