Banks is located in Washington County, northwest of Portland, between Vernonia and Cornelius along Hwy 47 and on the banks of the West Fork Dairy Creek. Banks is also situated between Highway 26, and Highway 6 to Tillamook.
There is also a Banks, Idaho.
Banks is part of the Portland-Vancouver, Oregon-WA metro area.
The early pioneers settled in Banks around 1840 using Government donation land claims of 640 acres each. The Peyton Wilkes land claim is the site of the present town of Banks.
The Banks area offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. Three golf courses and several parks are nearby. Antique and craft shops, a public library and several restaurants are located within the city limits. The primary industries are agriculture and timber.
