Hillsboro is a city located in Washington County, Oregon. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 70,186. According to the city records and street signs, the population has grown to 79,304. It is the county seat of Washington County.

History

The city was founded by David Hill (1809 - 1850) in the 1840s. It went by two other names -- East Tualatin Plains and Columbia -- before it became to Hillsborough in honor of Hill after his death; the spelling was later simplified to Hillsboro. It incorporated in 1876.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.9 km² (21.6 mi²). 55.9 km² (21.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.05% is water.

Hillsboro is located in the Tualatin Valley, and the Tualatin River forms part of the southern city limits. The geography of that area is fairly flat. Hillsboro is about 18 miles to the west of Portland, Oregon, with Beaverton, Oregon located in the intervening area.

Economy

Many high-tech companies operate in Hillsboro, making it the center of Oregon's Silicon Forest. In particular, Intel's largest site is Hillsboro. Sun Microsystems High-End Operations is headquartered in Hillsboro. Other high-tech companies with factories in Hillsboro include Fujitsu, Epson, and NEC.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 70,186 people, 25,079 households, and 17,078 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,256.3/km² (3,253.8/mi²). There are 27,211 housing units at an average density of 487.1/km² (1,261.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 77.50% White, 1.22% African American, 0.82% Native American, 6.53% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 10.38% from other races, and 3.30% from two or more races. 18.90% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. While this data comes from the legal census, several pedestrian counts in different parts of the city put the Hispanic population at closer to 50-60% of the total population. The city is commonly referred to as "Hillsburrito" by its residents and those in the surrounding area due to the explosion in the population of illegal immigrants.

There are 25,079 households out of which 37.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% are married couples living together, 9.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% are non-families. 23.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.76 and the average family size is 3.28.

In the city the population is spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 30 years. For every 100 females there are 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $51,737, and the median income for a family is $57,379. Males have a median income of $41,046 versus $30,172 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,680. 9.2% of the population and 6.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.9% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Colleges and universities

• The West Campus of Oregon Health and Science University

Notable Hillsboro residents

• Tiffeny Milbrett

Sister city

Hillsboro's sister city is Fukuroi, Japan.

External link

• Hillsboro Civic Web Page
• Welcome to Hillsboro

External links