Forest Grove, Oregon – Overview & Fast Facts
Forest Grove, Oregon is a small, friendly town located in the Willamette Valley, and it’s a great place to call “home”. Curious to learn more about this cozy little community? Read on, and get a basic overview of Forest Grove!
Basic Overview
Forest Grove is a smaller community of around 22k residents. It is located 25 miles west of Portland in the Tualatin Valley. While it began as a farming town, it’s now primarily composed of suburbs. Those who live here typically commute to work in some of the larger near by cities of Beaverton or Portland, where there are usually more employment opportunities. The primary drivers for economic growth in Forest Grove are in the food service and retail industries. However, future job growth is expected to be 41.3%, outpacing the growth of the US as a whole, with most jobs to be added focusing on manufacturing, as well as educational services and health care/social services.
Transport & Transit Infrastructure
Forest Grove is located within the TriMet transit district, which provides bus lines that connect it with nearby Hillsboro and Beaverton, through the Tualatin Valley Highway. There are also several Yamhill County Transit Area (YCTA) buses available within Forest Grove. Several major Oregon Roads, such as State Routes 8 and 47, pass through Forest Grove, and most transportation inside the city is accomplished by passenger vehicles.
Schooling & Education
The Forest Grove School District is in charge of Forest Grove, as well as Gales Creek, Cornelius, and the small town of Dilley. There are a total of 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school in the district.
One of the hallmarks of Forest Grove is Pacific University. This is a private college founded in 1849, with a number of unique historical buildings specializing in Business, Education, Arts and Sciences and Health care professions.
Geography & Climate
Forest Grove is classified as a “warm-summer Mediterranean climate”. It’s quite rainy, with an average of 155 precipitation days per year, concentrated mostly from November to April. In the summer, the average high is in the upper 70s or low 80s. In the winter, the average high is around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows rarely reaching below freezing.
Culture & Leisure
Forest Grove is located near a number of scenic areas, including Tillamook State Forest, as well as Henry Hagg Lake, and Forest Grove District State Forest. In town, the historic Forest Theater is a big attraction, as are the beautiful, old buildings of Pacific University.
With a convenient location near Beaverton and Portland, affordable home prices, and a bright economic future, Forest Grove is becoming very popular in Oregon. Is it the right place for you? Decide for yourself!