Tualatin economic landscape: consultants highlight strong manufacturing concentration, commuting gaps

City staff and Echo Northwest consultant Matt Craigie presented a landscape analysis of Tualatin’s economy, emphasizing industry clusters, wage growth and commuting patterns that will inform a forthcoming economic development strategy.

"Tualatin is growing," Craigie said, and then noted a striking commuting fact: "Of those who work in Tualatin, only 6% live in Tualatin." That low resident share of the local workforce, he said, presents an opportunity for downtown place‑making and housing strategies to capture more workers locally.

The analysis showed employment growth that outpaced population growth over the last decade, average wages rising from roughly $50,000 in 2014 to roughly $80,000 in 2024, and a strong concentration of manufacturing jobs. High‑tech manufacturing was highlighted as a major cluster—accounting for about 15% of city employment in one cluster analysis—with a location quotient (specialization) well above the national average.

Craigie outlined seven clusters that account for most local employment: high‑tech manufacturing, building systems (construction), health sciences, corporate and business services, materials and consumer goods manufacturing, commerce and logistics (transportation/warehousing/utilities), and food systems. He noted cluster wages averaged around $92,000 and that high‑tech manufacturing reported average cluster wages above $125,000.

Councilors asked about the city’s options—whether to protect and support the strong existing high‑tech base or to promote emerging clusters such as health sciences. Staff said that strategy planning (a later phase) will evaluate land availability, infrastructure, and targeted policies to either retain firms or promote growth in emerging clusters.

The presentation did not include immediate policy actions; staff said further strategy work and engagement will follow in 2027–28.