Portland Westside Communities
Portland
Portland blends natural beauty, a lively culture and an inventive spirit. Founded in 1845 and named after Portland, Maine, it grew from a small settlement into a busy city. Its many rose gardens and its annual Rose Festival earned it the nickname “The City of Roses.” Portland is also known for its commitment to sustainability, its thriving arts scene and its reputation for great food.
On Portland’s west side are communities such as Tigard, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Sherwood and Hillsboro. For a closer look at the city itself, read our Portland Guide.
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Beaverton
Beaverton lies seven miles west of downtown Portland and is one of Oregon’s largest cities. It is in Washington County and has a population of 97,842 (Census Bureau estimate, 2025). It is part of the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, which has more than 90 parks, 60 miles of trails and more than 1,500 acres of natural areas. Beaverton is also home to the world headquarters of Nike and Columbia Sportswear.
The Beaverton School District has several option schools, including the International School of Beaverton, the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy and Rachel Carson Environmental Middle School.
Read more in our Beaverton Guide.
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Lake Oswego
Lake Oswego is 8 miles south of downtown Portland and reaches into Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The city surrounds the 405-acre Oswego Lake.
Lake Oswego is known for its close-knit community, its charming downtown and its many local events. In summer, you can enjoy movies in the park and a concert series. In winter, there is the holiday tree lighting.
Read more in our Lake Oswego Guide.
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City of Lake Oswego
Lake Oswego School District
Tigard
Tigard is a city in Washington County, south of Beaverton and north of Tualatin, in the Portland metropolitan area. Its population is 57,929 (Census Bureau estimate, 2025).
Read more in our Tigard Guide.
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Sherwood
Sherwood is a residential community in the southeast corner of Washington County, in the Tualatin Valley southwest of Portland. Its population is 20,535 (Census Bureau estimate, 2025). Sherwood values connection, nature and quality of life. It is not just a place to live; it is a place to call home.
Read more in our Sherwood Guide.
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Tualatin
Tualatin is a city with a rich history and a lively culture. In its earliest records, its name was often spelled Twality or Twallatty. The name may have come into English secondhand, through Native people of another tribe.
Read more in our Tualatin Guide.
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Hillsboro
Hillsboro carries its rich history with pride. Pioneers settled it in 1842, and it was later named after David Hill, a prominent Oregon politician. Its early economy depended on riverboats on the Tualatin River. The railroad arrived in the early 1870s, and an interurban electric railway followed about forty years later. Both helped Hillsboro grow.
Read more in our Hillsboro Guide.
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