RANK #937 / 996 · POP 599,541 · OR
PROJECTED GROWTH: -2.4%
Washington County, Oregon, distinguishes itself with the Tualatin Valley, a fertile area framed by the Tualatin Mountains to the east and north, the Chehalem Mountains to the south, and the Northern Oregon Coast Range to the west. Hillsboro, the county seat and largest city, is located approximately 20 miles west of Portland, offering a suburban feel with urban amenities. The Tualatin River flows through the county, providing opportunities for recreation and contributing to the area's natural beauty. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Henry Hagg Lake for fishing, boating, and biking trails, or visit the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve for walking and wildlife viewing. Public transportation, including buses, MAX Light Rail, and WES Commuter Rail, connects residents throughout the county and to the wider Portland metropolitan area.
Life in Washington County offers a blend of suburban living and access to nature, appealing to families and professionals. The public schools in the county are rated above average, with several districts consistently recognized for their performance. The local economy is significantly influenced by the "Silicon Forest," a concentration of technology companies. While the county has seen job growth, particularly in computer and electronic product manufacturing, administrative services, and food services, there has been a recent leveling off in overall employment growth. The county actively supports economic development through programs focused on business growth and workforce development, often in collaboration with local partners.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Big Meeks Energy Storage
Undisclosed (BlackRock company Jupiter Power is involved in Blackberry Grove, another Washington County BESS project)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Crane Data Centers Campus (Forest Grove)
Crane Data Centers
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Blackberry Grove Energy Storage Facility
Jupiter Power (a BlackRock company)
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Nottingham Storage Project (Battery Energy Storage System)
BrightNight (under contract with Portland General Electric)
|
$86M | Planned |
|
Meadowlark BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, LLC
|
$80M | Planned |
|
Affordable Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing Initiatives
Washington County Department of Housing Services & partners
|
$40M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Washington County has a Boom Town Index score of 6/100, ranking #937 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $100,121, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Washington County is $504,300 with median rent at $1,695/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.1985, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed -2.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.1% of Washington County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.