About the Portland Metro Region
Oregon's largest metropolitan area, home to Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, and Lake Oswego. Tech industry, world-class food scene, and easy access to mountains and coast.
Counties
Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, Columbia County
Highlights
- Portland — the Rose City, Oregon's largest city, food and craft beer capital
- Beaverton & Hillsboro — Intel and Nike campuses, Silicon Forest tech corridor
- Lake Oswego — upscale lakeside community, easy MAX access to Portland
- Gresham — eastern metro gateway, affordable alternative to Portland
- Forest Grove — Pacific University, edge of Willamette Valley wine country
- St. Helens — Columbia River setting, historic main street, “Halloween Town” filming location
Living in Portland Metro
The Portland Metro area offers the most urban amenities in Oregon: a robust public transit system (TriMet MAX light rail, buses, WES commuter rail), internationally recognized restaurants, a vibrant arts scene, and major employers in technology (Intel, Nike, Adidas, Oregon Health & Science University). Housing costs are higher than rural Oregon but moderate compared to Seattle or San Francisco. Neighborhoods range from dense urban core to quiet suburban communities in Washington County's Silicon Forest.
Visiting Portland Metro
Visitors come for Powell's Books (one of the world's largest independent bookstores), the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Saturday Market, food carts, and year-round farmers markets. Day trips reach Mt. Hood (45 min), the Columbia River Gorge (30 min), Oregon Coast (90 min), and Willamette Valley wine country (30–60 min south).
Top Cities in Portland Metro
All Cities in Portland Metro (39 total)
| City | County | Population (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas | 652,503 |
| Gresham | Multnomah | 114,247 |
| Hillsboro | Washington | 106,447 |
| Beaverton | Washington | 97,494 |
| Tigard | Washington | 54,539 |
| Lake Oswego | Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington | 40,732 |
| Oregon City | Clackamas | 37,572 |
| Tualatin | Washington, Clackamas | 27,942 |
| West Linn | Clackamas | 27,373 |
| Wilsonville | Clackamas, Washington | 26,664 |
| Forest Grove | Washington | 26,225 |
| Happy Valley | Clackamas | 23,733 |
| Milwaukie | Clackamas, Multnomah | 21,119 |
| Sherwood | Washington | 20,450 |
| Canby | Clackamas | 18,171 |
| Troutdale | Multnomah | 16,300 |
| St. Helens | Columbia | 13,817 |
| Cornelius | Washington | 12,694 |
| Sandy | Clackamas | 12,612 |
| Gladstone | Clackamas | 12,017 |
| Fairview | Multnomah | 10,424 |
| Molalla | Clackamas | 10,228 |
| Scappoose | Columbia | 8,010 |
| King City | Washington | 5,184 |
| Wood Village | Multnomah | 4,387 |
| Estacada | Clackamas | 4,356 |
| North Plains | Washington | 3,441 |
| Vernonia | Columbia | 2,374 |
| Columbia City | Columbia | 1,949 |
| Durham | Washington | 1,944 |
| Rainier | Columbia | 1,911 |
| Banks | Washington | 1,837 |
| Clatskanie | Columbia | 1,716 |
| Maywood Park | Multnomah | 829 |
| Gaston | Washington, Yamhill | 676 |
| Rivergrove | Clackamas, Washington | 545 |
| Johnson City | Clackamas | 539 |
| Barlow | Clackamas | 133 |
| Prescott | Columbia | 82 |