NOVEMBER 4, 2025 — As Hillsboro, Oregon nears its 150th anniversary next year, the city is turning to its residents to help select its first community flag, says Forest Grove News-Times.
Through December 10, locals are invited to visit the city’s Engage Hillsboro website to review three final flag designs and vote for their favourite.
The finalists were created by participants of the 2025 Civic Leadership Academy, a group of twelve residents who spent six weeks studying local governance, urban identity, and the principles of flag design.
The first design uses green, marigold, and two shades of blue to symbolize Hillsboro’s balance between nature, agriculture, and progress. The blues represent the open sky and a welcoming spirit, while the green evokes the city’s deep ties to the Willamette Valley landscape. A marigold band inspired by sunrise and sunset angles reflects both the surrounding farmland and the community’s forward movement. Five interlocking shapes within the design represent the city’s five historic oak trees, symbolizing unity, inclusion, and growth that extends beyond boundaries.
The second design draws from Hillsboro’s transportation heritage, combining white and blue stripes reminiscent of the region’s railroads and the MAX light-rail system. At its centre, a blue arrow points toward the horizon, an emblem of motion, connectivity, and ambition. Surrounding this are five oak leaf forms arranged in a circular pattern, highlighting harmony and the idea of a community rooted in shared values. Marigold accents lend warmth to the composition and connect to Hillsboro’s early days as an agricultural hub while conveying optimism about its vision for the future.
The third design takes a modern, geometric approach, depicting four rectangular panels that suggest the aerial view of Hillsboro’s farmland and the structured rhythms of its agricultural heritage. The marigold circle at the centre unites the composition, representing continuity and the collective spirit of the city. Blue circular shapes convey openness and hospitality, inviting connection among residents and visitors alike. A trillium plant, long native to the region, anchors the design, paying tribute to Indigenous communities who have long called this area home and symbolizing harmony between people and the natural world.
“Working on the Hillsboro Community Flag Project reminded me how deeply people care about this city,” said Civic Leadership Academy member Lynn Coffin. “Every conversation, from longtime neighbors to new arrivals, reflected pride in our shared home and excitement about creating a symbol that truly belongs to everyone.”
Once public voting concludes on December 10, the Hillsboro City Council will approve the final design in early January, with an official debut planned for February 2026 at the annual State of the City event.
Image: Forest Grove News-Times
