Wondering if Forest Grove is a good place to live? Along the western edge of the Portland metropolitan area about 10 miles west of Hillsboro, Forest Grove is known for being a safe bedroom community with easy access to the big city.
People moving to Forest Grove will be joining a great city with its own motto: “A place where families and businesses thrive.”
The unique history of this city and the many fun local amenities are only a few of the reasons more people are choosing to relocate and call it their home.
1. People of Forest Grove – Population & Demographics
The city of Forest Grove has nearly doubled in size since the 1990s. With a median age of 33 years old, the Forest Grove population has grown to 23,554 people. Looking at the current gender ratio, there is a split of about 51.25% female and 48.75% male.
Forest Grove demographics show the city is also becoming more diverse with every passing year. As more people are migrating to Forest Grove, the population is presently 68% Caucasian, 23% Hispanic or Latino, and 4% Asian.
2. Best Things to Do in Forest Grove
With a wide variety of local attractions and interesting landmarks, you’ll find a great list of fun things to fo in Forest Grove. One of the most popular places to visit is the beautiful David Hill Vineyards & Winery with its gorgeous estate and fascinating history. Visitors can enjoy vineyard tours, award-winning wine tastings, and you can even join their exclusive Wine Club.
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David Hill Vineyards & Winery, 46350 NW David Hill Rd, Forest Grove, OR 97116
If you’re searching for one of the best things to do in Forest Grove with kids, the City Aquatic Center is another one of the best activities nearby. The large venue has two pools, water slides, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and a splash pad. It occasionally plays host to local swim team practices as well as water polo competitions.
Forest Grove City Aquatic Center
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Forest Grove City Aquatic Center, 2300 Sunset Dr, Forest Grove, OR 97116
3. Top Restaurants in Forest Grove
One of the most delicious places to eat in Forest Grove is Kama’aina. Among the most unique Forest Grove restaurants, you’ll find a delectable menu of Kahlua pork, teriyaki chicken, and a variety of poke bowls. They also offer a handful of signature dishes like the ‘Aina Pack, the Warrior Pack, the Big One, and the Mana Bowl at this top-rated restaurant in Forest Grove.
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Kama’aina, 1910 Main St A, Forest Grove, OR 97116
The next spot on your list of great Forest Grove eateries is the Prime Time Restaurant & Sports Bar. This pub-style restaurant has a refreshing menu of drinks as well as yummy food like sliders, tacos, nachos, wraps, chicken tenders, and more. People living in Forest Grove come to watch sports on one of the TVs or hang out in their arcade.
Prime Time Restaurant & Sports Bar
Prime Time Restaurant & Sports Bar, 4450 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove, OR 97116
4. Forest Grove, OR Cost of Living
While the housing market and local transportation are higher than national averages, the cost of living in Forest Grove also offers locals great value and the chance to spend less on both healthcare and city utilities.
Looking to buy your new place of residence? You’ll find a good range of Forest Grove, OR homes for sale as you look at local real estate options. Currently, the average price of a home in Forest Grove is $366,483, which is up about 2.4% since last year and is expected to go up another 2.8% in the next 12 months.
With a 60% homeownership rate, about two in find residents living in Forest Grove lease their living arrangements. The average price of rent in Forest Grove is between around $1,700 per month for three-bedroom locations and $1,860 per month for four-bedroom homes or larger.
5. Neighborhoods of Forest Grove
Covering an area of less than 6 square miles, Forest Grove neighborhoods have claimed their place as the 11th safest city in Oregon. This Portland suburb has kid-friendly communities with tight-knit groups of people.
A few of the nicest neighborhoods in Forest Grove are:
- Carnation
- Clark District
- Casey Meadows
- Knox Ridge
- Hawthorne Village
Located near the center of Washington County, the small city of Forest Grove has only one zip code: 97116. New residents who want to start with a fresh, new phone number after they transition to Forest Grove will likely get a 503 area code.
Natives living in Forest Grove also enjoy a great variety of places for shopping. Head over to the Forest Grove Shopping Center or stop by other spots such as Safeway, Bi-Mart, BJ’s Coffee Co, Dollar Tree, Kafe, and more.
6. Forest Grove Schools Offer Strong Education
Forest Grove is home to about 4,300 students between the age of 5 to 17 years old, making up approximately 18% of the city’s population. Parents who are moving to the area with children will find a handful of dependable locations for them to get a quality education in the Forest Grove School District.
Some of the best schools in Forest Grove include:
- Forest Grove Community School
- Dilley Elementary School
- Harvey Clarke Elementary School
- Neil Armstrong Middle School
- Forest Grove High School
There is also one secondary school located within Forest Grove borders as well. Pacific University is home to the Boxers and offers strong undergraduate and graduate programs in arts, science, business, education, healthcare, and more.
7. Forest Grove Job Opportunities
With a median household income of $54,503, there are plenty of respectable jobs in Forest Grove. If you’re moving to Forest Grove and looking for employment with a local employer some of the most reputable companies in town are:
- Pacific University
- Forest Grove School District
- TTM Technologies
- Stimson Lumber
- City of Forest Grove
A handful of local workers are employed in Hillsboro or Beaverton down the road. Some commuters even make the 28-mile trip from Forest Grove, OR to Portland for their jobs.
8. Weather in Forest Grove
About 60 miles off the Pacific Coast, the city of Forest Grove enjoys a cool, comfortable climate almost all year round. This opens up lots of chances to visit outdoor attractions nearby such as Joseph Gale Park, Bard Park, and Thatcher Dog Park.
The enjoyable Forest Grove weather sees summer temperature averages between 53°F and 83°F, while winters cool down between the low 30s and mid-40s. Throughout the year, Forest Grove also gets about 42 inches of rain so you’ll want to keep an umbrella and jacket around.
Tips for Moving to Forest Grove
- Join a growing city with a Forest Grove population that is constantly getting more diverse.
- Don’t miss out on the beautiful vineyards, nice local parks, and other lovely landmarks.
- The cost of living varies by expense so ensure it fits your budget to live in Forest Grove.
- Enjoy the feeling of comfort that comes with living in one of the safest Oregon cities.
- Prepare for cool weather with plenty of sweaters, rain boots, and other warm necessities.
If you’re going to be calling Forest Grove home soon, our team would love to help with your upcoming relocation. Let PDX Movers show you how our reliable moving company can make it a simple task.
Give us a call today at (503) 746-8795 or fill out the Request a Quote form above for a free Forest Grove moving estimate!
