HERMISTON — Hermiston is the only northeast Oregon town to grow since 2000, as places like Pendleton and La Grande lost residents.

The trend represents a shift in the U.S. toward urban population centers, those defined by the Census as places with at least 500 people per square mile.

Hermiston’s “urban cluster” — which does not recognize city boundaries — grew from 21,000 people in 2000 to 28,000 in 2010.

The East Oregonian reports some cities, such as Stanfield, have dropped off the list because the bureau incorporated them into larger urban clusters.

Portland grew from 1.2 million to 1.8 million people.