Beaverton Real Estate > Beaverton Community Info

Beaverton is defined by the rolling hills, rivers, lush forests, wetlands, ski slopes and ocean beaches that cover the area. Beaverton is a thriving city with plenty to do and see.

While the community has seen rapid growth, nearly doubling in population over the past decade, it has retained its small town charm. Residents take part in the Taste of Beaverton festival each summer that features food, music and arts and crafts, in a fun family atmosphere. The Good Neighbor Saturday parade, also part of the festival, is a chance for residents to honor their neighbors and present the "Good Neighbor of the Year" award.

Visitors and residents flock to the Farmer's Market during the warm summer months and early fall, taking the opportunity to enjoy an array of fresh food and flowers while strolling the city’s sidewalks.

The Beaverton School District is made up of 51 schools and serves more than 38,000 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Beaverton schools work closely with local businesses and are recognized throughout the nation for its students achieving high SAT scores. The area is also home to a number of leading private schools and many of the northwest’s top state and private universities and community colleges.

Beaverton’s economy is built on a firm foundation formed by high-tech, retail, manufacturing, and allocation businesses. More than 70,000 workers come into Beaverton each day during the work week for their jobs, doubling the city's population. The city is home to a number of industry giants including Intel, Tektronix, IBM and Nike.

With a widespread transportation system and easy access to the greater metropolitan area, Beaverton has earned the reputation of being a great place to live and work. Portland and Beaverton have been linked together by the Westside Light Rail, which was opened in 1998, and two major highways with numerous connections.

The history of the area dates back hundreds of years. Beaverton was first occupied by Native Americans who named the area Chakeipi, meaning "Place of the Beaver." The village was nicknamed "Beaverdam" which led to its present-day name Beaverton. As the population grew, the need for transportation became critical. In 1868, the first railroad tracks were laid across town and in 1893 Beaverton was transformed from a small farming community into an incorporated city, with a population of just 400.

Today, Beaverton continues to flourish thanks to an abundance of natural resources, a progressive government with a pro-business philosophy and an excellent quality of life.