Portland Metro Region, OR Land for Sale

The Portland Metro region is located in the northeastern part of Oregon and borders Washington and the Columbia River to the north. It includes the three counties surrounding Portland: Multnomah County, Clackamas County and Washington County. The Portland metropolitan area in total includes five counties in Oregon and two counties in Washington. Portland is the largest city in Oregon and the 26th most populated city in the United States. It is estimated roughly 60% of Oregon's population resides in its metropolitan area. Other large cities in the region, in addition to Portland, are Gresham, Hillsboro and Beaverton, and there are a number of other small cities and unincorporated suburban communities. The region is part of the Willamette Valley, with the Willamette River running through the middle of it. Much of the area is relatively flat, the foothills of the Tualatin Mountains cover a small portion of the area. Portland lies on top of an extinct volcanic field known as the Boring Lava Field, with its highest point being Mount Tabor at 636 feet high, an extinct volcanic cinder cone.

The Portland Metro region is known for its reputation of liberal political views and as a bastion of counterculture, and is ranked as the eighth most popular American city, based on where people want to live. It is one of the most environmentally conscious cities because of its high walkability, large community of bicyclists, farm-to-table dining, expansive network of public transportation options and over 1,000 acres of public parks. Portland's location is beneficial to several industries, with its low energy cost, accessible resources, interstates, international air terminals, large marine shipping facilities and railroads. Portland's marine terminals handle over 13 million tons of cargo each year, and the port is home to one of the largest commercial dry docks in the United States. The Port of Portland is the third largest export tonnage port on the U.S. West Coast, and is the largest fresh water port. Portland is the largest shipper of wheat in the country and the second largest port for wheat in the world. The Portland area has a long history in the steel industry, which still thrives in the region. Technology is also a major part of the economy, with more than 1,200 technology companies existing within the Portland Metro region, which has led to Portland's nickname as the Silicon Forest. The area also hosts facilities for software companies and online startup companies, which have support of local seed funding organizations and business incubators. A large computer components manufacturer is the area's largest employer, employing more than 15,000 people, with several campuses in Hillsboro. The Portland Metro region is also a business cluster for athletic footwear manufacturers, with eight companies' North American U.S. headquarters there. The area has the most higher education institutions of anywhere in the state, with the largest being Portland State University, with more than 30,000 enrolled, the second largest enrollment rate of any university in the state. Other notable institutions include University of Portland, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Community College, Reed College and Lewis and Clark College. There are more than 20 other public and private colleges, universities and community colleges in the area.

The Portland Metro region offers an abundance of entertainment, with active and exciting music and theater scenes. Portland is home to two major league professional sports teams including an NBA team and a Major League Soccer team. College spectator sports are also popular in the region. Portland hosts a marathon and the Hood to Coast Relay, the world's largest long-distance relay race by number of participants. There are many museums, with the most notable being the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Portland Art Museum, one of the 25 largest museums in the United States and the Oregon History Museum. Portland has been named the best city in the world for street food by several publications, including U.S. News and World Report. It also has a nationally emerging restaurant scene, with three restaurants nominated by the Food Network Awards as a "Delicious Destination of the Year." Portland is also known for being the most vegan-friendly cities in the country. It has the most total breweries and independent microbreweries of any city in the world. It is also known as a leader in specialty coffee, with dozens of micro-roasteries and cafes. There are also many opportunities for outdoor recreation in the region, with several state and national protected areas. Most notable include Mount Hood National Forest, Willamette National Forest, Willamette Stone State Park, Tyron Creek State Natural Area, Rocky Butte State Park and Government Island State Recreation Area. As mentioned, the City of Portland has more than 1,000 acres of city parks for recreation as well. Most notable of those include Mount Tabor Park, North and South Park Blocks, Washington Park, which includes the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum and the Portland Japanese Garden, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Oaks Amusement Park is one of the longest-running amusement parks in the U.S.

Clackamas County is the largest in the Portland Metro region, located in the eastern part. It is the third most populated county in the state, and is named for the Native Americans living in the area, the Clackamas Indians, part of the Chinookan people. Lake Oswego is the largest city and Oregon City is the county seat. Other largest cities are Canby, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Tualatin and West Linn, and there are nearly 60 other cities, census-designated places and unincorporated communities. Agriculture, timber, manufacturing and commerce are the principal economic activities in the county. Mount Hood, the only year-round ski resort in the U.S. is a major attraction for recreation and tourism. Mount Hood and its rivers and forests offer many opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as skiing, rafting, fishing and camping. Clackamas County also has part of two national forests, Mount Hood National Forest and Willamette National Forest.

Washington County is located in the eastern part of Oregon's Portland Metro region, and is the second most populated county in the state. Hillsboro is the largest city and the county seat, and other cities are Beaverton, Tigard and Forest Grove, the oldest city in the county, and there are more than 60 other census-designated places and unincorporated communities. The county is part of a fertile plan that attracted farmers before the first wagon trains. Agriculture is still a major industry in the county, including many orchards, vineyards, as well as lumber, manufacturing and food processing. A large California-based computer components company is the largest employer in the county and the state, with its largest concentration of employers in Hillsboro. There are also a number of other technology companies in the county. There is also a large athletic gear manufacturer in the county. The highest point in Washington County is South Saddle Mountain at nearly 3,500 feet above sea level in the Northern Oregon Coast Range. Most of the county is in the Tualatin Valley, with the Tualatin Mountains to the east and north, the Chehalem Mountains to the south and the Northern Oregon Coast Range to the west and north. Portions of the county are forested in the north and west, with other parts being urban areas, agricultural lands and floodplains. Part of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is in the county. There are many other rural wetlands, nature parks, wildlife refuges, forests, tranquil waters and open fields, perfect for hiking, cycling, paddle trips, fishing, wildlife watching and more. There are more than a dozen golf clubs in the county, including two world-class, semi-private golf clubs. The county has its own Single-A, minor league baseball team, the Hillsboro Hops. The county also boasts several art galleries, live theater and D.I.Y. studios, featuring glass blowing, acrylic painting, welding and ceramics. There are more than 30 wineries and vineyards in the county, many unique restaurants, breweries and taprooms, farmer's markets and shops.

Multnomah County is located in the northern part of the Portland Metro region, bordering Washington and the Columbia River to the north. It is the most populated county in the state, but is the smallest in land area. Portland is the county seat and the largest city in the state. Gresham is another large city in the county, the fourth most populated in the state, and there are less than 20 other cities and unincorporated communities. Principal industries in the county include manufacturing, transportation, whole sale and retail trade and tourism. Oregon does not have sales tax which attracts shoppers from southwest Washington, which is just across the border. The Port of Portland ranks third in total waterborne commerce on the West Coast. It is one of the five largest auto import ports, and is the leading exporter of grain and lumber on the West Coast. The county is the birthplace of the Multnomah Community Ability Scale, used in mental health programs throughout the country. The county has many higher education institutions congregated in and around Portland, including Portland State University, University of Portland, Lewis and Clark College, Oregon Health and Science University, Art Institute of Portland, Concordia University, Reed College, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland, American College of Healthcare Sciences, Multnomah University, Western Seminary, Warner Pacific College, National University of Medicine, Sumner College, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Oregon College of Art and Design, Portland Community College. Mount Hood National Forest is located in the county in part. Portland and Multnomah County are a center of culture and commerce, and there are a large number of museums, parks and green spaces, venues, historical sites and more.