Beaverton

Named for its location in the midst of a large network of beaver dams, Beaverton has itself become a network of residential neighborhoods, shopping areas, and business parks spanning 15 square mi. Once a small town surrounded by thriving Washington County farm fields, Beaverton today has well over 75,000 residents, and is the fifth-largest community in Oregon. Just 10 mi from Portland, it is considered Portland's long-expanding, affluent suburb to the west. The roots of Oregon's Silicon Forest are in Beaverton, with some of the state's largest high-tech employers contributing to the town's popularity. Among Beaverton's high-profile employers are Adidas and Nike, whose famous world-headquarters campus is regularly visited by celebrities. The town has more than 100 parks spread over 1,000 acres. There is an extensive system of hiking trails and bike paths, as well as numerous public and private golf courses and tennis courts.