Beaverton, Oregon
Beaverton is the second largest city in Washington County and the sixth-largest city in Oregon, and is just 7 miles west of downtown Portland in the Tualatin River Valley. It’s estimated that around 100,000 people currently live in the area, based on the most recent census. Beaverton has been named one of the “Best Places to Live” by multiple publications including TIME and Money Magazine. It is one of the economic centers of Washington County and home to large corporations such as Nike, numerous technology organizations and companies, Providence Health Systems, Stream Global, and IBM Services, among others. Actually many businesses have their headquarters or major offices in Beaverton including Nike, Reser’s Fine Foods, Leupold & Stevens, Tektronix, and VeriWave.
Beaverton is home to the Evergreen Curling Club, the first ice rink in Oregon dedicated to curling. It hosted the Senior Women’s National Championship in January 2017 for the United States Curling Association. There is another indoor ice rink in town that is open to the public and is also where The Portland Winterhawks Hockey team trains.
Things to do in Beaverton, OR:
- Wildwood Trail
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area
- Tualatin River National Wildlife
- Tualatin Hills Nature Park
Notable attractions in the area include the Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex. In addition, the city has more than 100 parks. According to the city, every home has a park within a half-mile walk! But if you’re looking for more Skiing is available at nearby Mt. Hood, and the coast is only 90 minutes away.
Transport & Transit Infrastructure
The Westside MAX Blue Line connects Beaverton to Hillsboro, Portland, and Gresham, through 32.7 miles of track. There are 6 stations for the Westside MAX Blue Line in Beaverton.
The city is also served by WES Commuter Rail, which follows Highway 217 and I-5, providing service between Wilsonville and Beaverton. Bus services are also offered, and operated by TriNet. The nearest airport is Portland International Airport (PDX), about 20 minutes away by car.
Schooling & Education
Beaverton School District administers all of the public schools in the area, as well as those in Hillsboro, Aloha, and some unincorporated neighborhoods of Portland. It is the third-largest school district in the state, with 34 elementary, 8 middle, and six high schools. As of 2015 the district had a total enrollment of over 40,000 students.
Private schools include German American School, Jesuit High School and Valley Catholic School, among others. There is also a branch of Portland Community College (PCC) operating in Beaverton.
Geography & Climate
Beaverton, like Portland, has a temperate climate, with summer high temperatures the high 70s and low 80s. In the winter, the average high is around 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The city is quite wet, with an average precipitation of over 1,000 millimeters per year, mostly from October to April.
With an easy commute into Portland, a great school system, and a convenient location, it’s no wonder that Beaverton is becoming such a popular town in Oregon. Is it right for you? Take another look at this quick guide, and decide for yourself!