Located in Washington County, Bethany, Oregon is a smaller unincorporated suburb of Portland and just 11 miles northwest of the city. If you’re thinking about moving to Bethany, OR, you may be wondering — what is Bethany known for? Is it the right community for you? The suburb is known for its many parks, highly rated public schools, and great quality of living. In addition to being the most affluent town in the state, Bethany has been named the Best Suburb to Live in Oregon, the Best Place to Raise a Family in Oregon, and the Best Suburb to Buy a House in the state.
Ready to see what living in Bethany can offer? Here’s a complete guide to this beautiful, safe, and welcoming Oregon town.
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Bethany, OR Population and Demographics
The population of Bethany, OR is 23,000 and it’s part of the Portland metropolitan area which is home to 2.4 million people. Bethany is known for its high median household income and low poverty rate with a high homeownership rate of 74% — far above the national average of 63%.
Curious about your neighbors while living in Bethany, OR? The average age in Bethany is 38, about average for the U.S., although the foreign-born population is a bit older on average. The community is fairly diverse with a racial and ethnic composition that’s about 60% white, 32% Asian, 5% Hispanic, and 2% Black or African American. About one-third of Bethany residents were born outside of the United States and around 64% speak English. Nearly 73% of residents in Bethany are married and more than half of families have kids under 18.
Part of the reason for Bethany’s diversity is the number of tech companies and universities in metro Portland which attracts skilled workers and students from outside the country. Bethany is home to people from around the world, including China, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan, Vietnam, and Mexico.
Curious if Bethany is a safe town? Bethany has a very low crime rate with little violent crime.
Bethany zip codes are 97006 and 97229 and the Bethany area codes are 503 and 971.
Best Neighborhoods in Bethany, OR
Bethany may be small, but it’s very diverse in terms of home options and neighborhoods. Choosing the best Bethany neighborhood for your budget and lifestyle is probably one of your biggest priorities ahead of moving to Bethany, OR, and you’ll have plenty to choose from. The town is home to a number of condos and apartment buildings, but most communities are smaller with 100 or fewer homes. You can also find larger homes and estates, many of which are located near one of Bethany’s many parks.
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One of the most prestigious and affluent neighborhoods in Bethany is Arbor Heights, a large community featuring spacious homes usually starting in the $800s as well as townhomes. Bethany Ridge is another good choice with new luxury construction with homes that go up to $1.4 million.
Planning on renting after moving to Bethany? Try North Bethany Ridge, a luxury apartment complex with one- to three-bedroom homes up to 1,370 square feet in size right next to Bethany Meadows Park. The large property offers resort-style amenities like a swimming pool and 24-hour fitness center.
The Claremont Golf Club, a 9-hole public golf course, is located within a popular adult resort living community in Bethany. This active 55+ community offers beautiful, landscaped grounds and endless activities like book clubs, lawn bowling, and fitness classes.
Average Cost of Living in Bethany, OR
Before relocating to Bethany, Oregon, you’re probably wondering about the cost of living in the area. How much does it cost to live in Bethany? As part of the Portland metropolitan area, Bethany does have a high cost of living that’s about 40% higher than the national average. Bethany home prices are about average for Portland — but the city has a higher median household income than surrounding areas of Portland.
A good way to assess the Bethany, OR cost of living is to look at housing costs which likely account for most of your budget. The average home price in Bethany is $479,000 — more than double the national average of $226,000. Average rents in Bethany are about $1,350, also higher than the national average.
Still, you can find affordable housing in Bethany, OR with several family-friendly neighborhoods and older developments. Still, you can find affordable housing in Bethany, OR with several family-friendly neighborhoods and older developments. You can start your search for Bethany, OR homes for sale to see what you can afford with your budget.
Weather in Bethany — What to Expect
The climate in Bethany is similar to the rest of Greater Portland with a temperate oceanic climate. Summers are dry and warm and winters tend to be chilly, overcast, and rainy. Moving to Bethany from elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest? Compared to other cities in the region like Seattle, Bethany has less rain and snow and more sunshine.
You can expect high temperatures of 45 °F during the days in December, the coldest month, with average temperatures in Bethany of 81 °F during August, the warmest month.
What to Eat & Best Things to Do in Bethany, OR
Looking for fun things to do in Bethany? Once you settle into your new home, you’ll find no shortage of free things to do in Bethany, OR if you love the outdoors plus neat attractions and things to do with kids and the whole family. Here are some of the best Bethany attractions and restaurants that will probably make your short list of favorites in no time.
PCC Rock Creek Recreation Facility
This new 32-acre rec facility offers found baseball and softball fields, synthetic turf fields for football and soccer, an archery range, tennis courts, and a dog park plus a picnic area and a playground — the perfect place for the whole family to stay active together!
PCC Rock Creek Recreation Facility 17705 NW Springville Rd, Portland, OR 97229 (503) 645-6433
Pirate Park
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This exciting 16-acre park in the Rock Creek Greenway is one of the best things to do in Bethany with kids. Open daily, the park has a pirate-themed, adventure-style playground with a large pirate ship, sandpit, slides, and more. You can reach it easily from the Rock Creek Trail.
Bethany Public House
This family-friendly gastropub is one of the top Bethany restaurants with craft brews and your favorite comfort foods.
Bethany Public House 4840 NW Bethany Blvd, Portland, OR 97229 (971) 371-2954
Siam Restaurant
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Enjoy traditional Thai cuisine with an interior designed to look like a Northern Thai village. Siam Restaurant has been a tradition in Bethany for more than 20 years with a menu that includes favorites like Golden Cashew and Pad Wun Sen.
Siam Restaurant 18395 NW West Union Rd #2176, Portland, OR 97229 (503) 617-9402
Bethany, OR Schools & Nearby Colleges
Moving to Bethany with kids or planning to start a family in the future? The community is served by the nearby Beaverton School District which also serves students in Aloha, Hillsboro, and unincorporated areas. The district includes 34 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and six high schools.
Bethany residents are served by a number of nationally A-rated schools. Two high schools — the International School of Beaverton and the School of Science & Technology which boasts incredible test scores and a 100% graduation rate — are ranked among the top ten public high schools in Oregon.
Considering your opportunities for higher education while living in Bethany, OR? There are dozens of colleges and universities within 50 miles including:
- Oregon College of Art and Craft (5 miles)
- University of Portland (5 miles)
- Multnomah University (8 miles)
- Portland State University (8 miles)
- Concordia University Portland (10 miles)
- Portland Community College (10 miles)
- Lewis & Clark College (11 miles)
- Reed College (12 miles)
- Pacific University (13 miles)
Bethany Jobs — Top Industries & Average Income
Bethany is a great place to settle to enjoy a high quality of life and rewarding career. Bethany has the highest median household income in Oregon with the average household earning $121,000 per year — double the Oregon average — and significantly beating its neighbors, Beaverton and Hillsboro. Bethany even boasts a low unemployment rate and low poverty level far below the Oregon average.
Bethany residents are highly educated with more than half holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Because living in Bethany, OR means you’re only 11 miles from Portland, many residents commute to the city for work, although many also work in surrounding communities like Beaverton. You can get an idea of what your commute will look like by clicking the link for directions from Bethany, OR to Portland.
A large number of people in Bethany work in the tech industry given Portland’s reputation as the “Silicon Forest.” Major employers in the Bethany area include:
- Oracle
- eBay
- Mozilla
- Airbnb
- Intel
- Boeing
- Columbia Sportswear
- Tektronix, Inc
- IBM – Linus Technology Center
- International Paper
You can start your search for jobs in Bethany on Indeed to get an idea of the careers available after moving to Bethany.
Living in Bethany, OR Tips
Excited about the benefits of living in Bethany, Oregon? Here are some tips ahead of moving day.
- Earn your degree with dozens of colleges and universities within a short drive
- Look for job opportunities in the thriving tech industry near Bethany
- Choose from several family-friendly neighborhoods, almost all of which are near parks and outdoor recreation
- Enjoy sunnier weather than most of the Pacific Northwest with less rain and snow
Have you settled on relocating to Bethany, OR? Our Bethany movers are standing by and ready to make your move as easy and stress-free as possible. Contact PDX Movers today at 503-746-8795 to get a free moving estimate and learn more about how we go above and beyond for a great moving experience!
