There is one unique ZIP code in Forest Grove, Oregon and it is 97116. Area code: 503.
1
ZIP codes
82.07
sq mi land
0.19
sq mi water
503
area code
Forest Grove, OR ZIP code map
About Forest Grove, OR
Forest Grove, Oregon is a charming small city located in the Tualatin Valley of Washington County, offering a welcoming blend of small-town character and Pacific Northwest natural beauty. Served by a single ZIP code, 97116, the city is home to Pacific University, one of the oldest universities in the western United States, which lends the community a vibrant academic atmosphere. Forest Grove is known for its tree-lined streets, historic downtown, and proximity to both the Oregon Coast and the Portland metropolitan area, making it an attractive place to live and visit.
Location & geography
Forest Grove is situated in the northern Tualatin Valley in Washington County, in the northwestern corner of Oregon, approximately 25 miles west of Portland. The city lies near the foothills of the Coast Range, with neighboring communities including Hillsboro about 10 miles to the east, Cornelius directly adjacent to the east, and Gaston a few miles to the south. The city encompasses 82.07 square miles of land and just 0.19 square miles of water, with Gales Creek and other small waterways winding through the surrounding rural landscape.
Community & economy
Forest Grove has a friendly, community-oriented character shaped by its university presence, agricultural heritage, and growing residential population drawn from the broader Portland metro area. The local economy is supported by education, healthcare, retail, and light industry, along with the farms and vineyards that dot the surrounding Tualatin Valley. Daily life in Forest Grove revolves around its walkable downtown district along Pacific Avenue, community events, local parks, and easy access to outdoor recreation in the nearby Coast Range foothills.
Transportation
Forest Grove is served primarily by Oregon Route 8, also known as the Tualatin Valley Highway, which connects the city eastward through Cornelius and Hillsboro and provides access to U.S. Route 26 and the greater Portland freeway network. Oregon Route 47 runs through the city as well, linking Forest Grove to communities to the north and south including Gaston and Carlton. The nearest major commercial airport is Portland International Airport (PDX), located approximately 35 miles to the northeast, and TriMet bus service provides public transit connections to the broader region.
History
Forest Grove was founded in the 1840s and 1850s by settlers arriving via the Oregon Trail, drawn by the fertile land of the Tualatin Valley and the stands of fir timber that gave the city its name. Pacific University, established in 1849, was one of the earliest institutions of higher education in the Pacific Northwest and has remained central to the identity of the community ever since. The city grew steadily through the late 19th and early 20th centuries as agriculture, timber, and commerce flourished in the surrounding valley.
Did you know?
Forest Grove is home to one of Oregon's most celebrated wine country corridors, with the Tualatin Valley and nearby Chehalem Mountains American Viticultural Area placing world-class vineyards just minutes from the city center. The city also hosts an annual Concours d'Elegance classic car show on the campus of Pacific University, an event that draws collectors and enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
