Portland Metropolitan Area
Beaverton, Oregon
City
Washington County's largest city and a west-side employment hub
Beaverton is the largest city in Washington County and a major employment center, home to apparel, technology and health care employers. It is an independent city, not a Portland neighborhood, with its own downtown and school district.
History & Local Character
Beaverton grew from a farming settlement named for beaver dams on Beaverton Creek into a postwar suburb, incorporating in 1893. Nike's world headquarters just outside the city and a concentration of tech campuses reshaped its economy.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing covers 1950s ranch homes near downtown, 1990s subdivisions in the south and west, and newer apartments and townhomes near MAX stations. Prices sit below Portland's but have risen sharply.
Restaurants & Shopping
Downtown Beaverton has a growing restaurant row along 1st and Broadway, while the Cedar Mill and Murrayhill areas offer shopping-center dining and a wide range of Asian, Mexican and Indian restaurants.
Schools & Education
Beaverton School District is one of Oregon's largest, serving Beaverton and surrounding unincorporated areas. Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus and a satellite campus serve local students.
Parks & Recreation
The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District operates dozens of parks and trails, including the Fanno Creek Trail and the Tualatin Hills Nature Park. Cooper Mountain Nature Park sits on the city's southern edge.
Transportation & Accessibility
MAX Blue and Red lines, TriMet buses and US 26 connect Beaverton to Portland and Hillsboro. OR 217 links the city to I-5 and Tigard.
Local Businesses
Independent restaurantsBike and running shopsAsian grocersFamily-owned services
Nearby Attractions
- Tualatin Hills Nature Park
- Cooper Mountain Nature Park
- Nike campus
- Downtown Beaverton
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Strong schools and parks district
- MAX light rail access
- Diverse dining and shopping
Considerations
- Traffic on US 26 and OR 217
- Housing costs rising quickly
- Fewer historic neighborhoods than Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaverton a neighborhood of Portland?
No. Beaverton is an independent city in Washington County with its own government and school district. It borders Portland but is not part of it.