DECEMBER 20, 2025 — The city of Hillsboro, in the American state of Oregon, has chosen a new community flag design following a public vote that concluded in December, according to a press release by the city government.
The selection is intended to create a shared symbol of identity as the city prepares to mark its 150th anniversary in 2026.
The winning design garnered 2,944 votes out of 4,200 cast on the city’s engagement platform this fall, reports Hoodline. The flag is centred on themes of community, nature, history, and technology.
Its features include four green rectangular panels, described as evoking an aerial view of farmland and the city’s agricultural heritage; a marigold circle symbolizing historical richness and community ties; and a blue circle meant to create a welcoming and unifying feeling. At the core of the design is a trillium flower, which is native to the region and is intended to honour Indigenous communities that have utilized the plant for medicinal and cultural purposes for over a millennium, symbolizing a commitment to harmony.
The initiative to develop the city’s first-ever community flag began with a public call for input in August, inviting residents to share stories, values, and ideas for the visual elements. These community responses served as the foundation for the 2025 Civic Leadership Academy, a group of twelve residents who spent six weeks studying local government and flag design principles.
With support from city graphic designer Jenny Granillo Martinez Beltran, the Academy reviewed survey results and conducted hundreds of interviews with residents and stakeholders to develop three finalist concepts.
Discussing the resident involvement, Academy member Lynn Coffin stated, “Working on the Hillsboro Community Flag project reminded me how deeply people care about this city. Every conversation, from long-time residents to new neighbors, reflected pride in our shared home and excitement about creating a symbol that truly belongs to everyone.”
The flag will next be presented to the Hillsboro City Council, which is expected to formally adopt the design in January 2026. The new symbol of identity is then scheduled to make its public debut on February 19, 2026, at the annual State of the City event, held at the Hillsboro Civic Center.
Image: City of Hillsboro
