Mayoral Report—2006

Beaverton Ranked in Top 100 Best Places to Live in America!

Recently, Money magazine ranked Beaverton in the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America. The magazine’s editors started with a list of 745 cities (with over 50,000 in population) and sifted through multiple criteria, information and statistics to rank us #79.

“This year we set out to find small livable cities that had the best possible blend of good jobs, low crime, quality schools, plenty of open space, rational home prices and lots to do,” said Money magazine Executive Editor Craig Matters. “These places reflect the qualities that most Americans want when it comes to a place to live and raise a family—the opportunity for themselves and their children to prosper and a quality-of-life that lets them enjoy the fruits of their work.” The cities were evaluated on 38 quality-of-life indicators and six economic opportunity measures in the following categories:  ease of living, health, education, crime, park space, arts and leisure. The cities were also ranked according to economic opportunity, income, job growth and affordability; and other quality-of-life indicators that included risk of violent crime and property crime.

Some interesting information that helped Beaverton achieve this ranking includes an 8.13% job growth from 2000 to 2005, an air quality index that easily exceeds national averages and a very low personal crime risk index. Our median age is 33.8 years old, the annual median family income is nearly $70,000 and the median home price is $240,000. The evaluation also noted that 66.1% of our citizens completed at least some college (as a side note, 37% of Washington County residents have completed at least a bachelors degree—which is the highest percentage of any county in Oregon).

This ranking is an objective and comprehensive evaluation of many factors and really confirms what we already know—Beaverton is a great place to live, work and play! You can be proud of your community with its many strengths, strong reputation and quality citizens!

Beaverton-area citizens are invited to participate in two upcoming annual events—the Walk for Unity on September 10 and Beaverton Celebration Parade on September 16. The Parade has been a Beaverton tradition for nearly 50 years and includes multiple high school marching bands, floats, vintage autos, emergency vehicles, dance teams and multiple citizen participants. The Parade begins at 10 a.m. from Fir Grove Elementary School and winds its way down Wilson Avenue, Allen Blvd., Erickson Street, 5^th Street, Watson Avenue, Broadway Street (old town) and finishes at Lombard near Canyon Road. It goes directly past the Beaverton Farmers Market at Beaverton City Park across from the City Library. The Walk for Unity first began last year and starts at 2 p.m. from Beaverton City Park on September 10. Anyone can participate in the Walk, which will promote racial and ethnic unity, universal tolerance and respect for differences between people. The idea is to promote togetherness and build understanding and strength in our community. Please join us for both of these community events!

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