Major companies like Nike Inc., Columbia Sportswear, Intel Corp and Fred Meyers all got their start in Oregon or have built major colleges in the area that provide residents with exciting job opportunities in large companies. And recently, Portland hit a 5-year unemployment rate of 6.4%, just below the nation's average unemployment rate of 6.7%. When it comes to schools, Portland has over 150 K-12 schools that receive good ratings and reviews and tons of colleges, universities, and specialty colleges that offer students a long list of choices.