$258,391Average Value$293Average Price per Sq Ft20Homes For Sale
A neighborhood south of Akron focused on community
There’s more of a relaxed atmosphere in Portage Lakes, a neighborhood surrounding a chain of lakes about 7 miles south of downtown Akron. “The thing about Portage Lakes is that nobody cares who’s rich,” says John Scaglione, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realty, who has lived there since 1997. “The guy who owns a lakefront house here is wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and he has a beat-up pickup truck in the driveway. The neighborhood is based on hard-working people who care.” That’s evident in the number of charity events in which the community participates. Portage Lakes State Park is the site for the annual Portage Lakes Polar Bear Jump in February, which all proceeds go to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. In July, Dragons on the Lake is a Dragon Boat Festival that raises money for an area organization that consists of breast cancer survivors who competitively race those types of boats. “We have breast cancer survivors speak, and people go out and race against each other, and we have no idea what we’re doing. It’s just fun,” says Sarah Urbano, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realty.
Portage Lakes restaurant raises money after a tragedy
One restaurant with plenty of dock parking and a large patio conducive to waterfront dining is Upper Deck Bar & Grill. In November 2024, a few weeks after a Portage Lakes family lost two high school students in a house fire, the restaurant held a benefit dinner for three hours on a Sunday afternoon, with all the proceeds going to the family. “We raised $5,700 in that time frame,” says Jack Primack, who works at Upper Deck. There’s an indoor and outdoor stage for live music, and it’s a gathering place for Ohio State football games on Saturdays and Cleveland Browns games on Sundays during football season. Lala’s In The Lakes is a more upscale restaurant that still emphasizes casual dining. Steak, seafood and pasta are some of the favorites. There’s live music on the first Thursday of every month. Grocery store options include Save A Lot, Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Acme Fresh Market.
Speakeasy origins in Portage Lakes
The original houses in the Portage Lakes neighborhoods were small cottages by the lakes. While some of those original houses are still around, many people have either torn down the old house and rebuilt it or added to the original. “When I bought my house, it was 600 square feet, and I added 3,000 square feet,” Scaglione says. “I bought it for $170,000 in 1997 - today, the lot without the house would be worth $700,000.” Many of the cottages date back to the 1920s, around Prohibition. “This was a big speakeasy area,” he adds. “Every once in a while, I’ll notice a still in a basement.” Homes with a view of the lake range from $440,000 to over $1 million. The lakes in the neighborhood are part of a dam system, so severe flooding is rare. The exception is the homes near Long Lake Channel in the north of the neighborhood, which are not on the dam system and are susceptible to severe flooding during heavy rains. Homes away from the water are priced between $100,000 and $360,000. Popular styles are multiple-story contemporary lake houses on the water, modest bungalows and ranch-style designs elsewhere. Most people are full-time residents, though some spend winter in a warmer climate.
Portage Lakes State Park
It’s a short drive south to reach Portage Lakes State Park, which has a public beach on the shore of Turkeyfoot Lake. It’s the site for the July Dragon Boat race and the winter Polar Bear event. The park also has a disc golf course, a dog park and plenty of boating and fishing opportunities. It’s been a few years, but ice fishing and snowmobiling occur on the lake when the ice is thick enough. With the neighborhood surrounded by lakes, there are several opportunities for fishing and sites for boat launching. For those who prefer the occasional water hazard on an 18-hole course rather than frolicking in or near the water, there are a couple of opportunities to do that. Turkeyfoot Lake Golf Links has been around for almost 100 years and is a public course. Firestone Country Club is a private members-only facility with three 18-hole courses. Until 2018, the PGA held the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at this course, which Tiger Woods won eight times. It’s the current host course for the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship, a stop on the PGA Champions circuit, a men’s senior golf tour.
Coventry school chain
The Coventry Local School District is where public school students who live in Portage Lakes attend. Coventry Elementary School is rated a B and teaches kids through fourth grade. Fifth graders advance to Coventry Middle School, rated a B-minus. Coventry High School is rated a C-plus and has a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio. The school has been in its current location for 10 years, and the old location was at the present Coventry Elementary School building. St. Francis de Sales is a private Catholic school that teaches prekindergarten through eighth grade. It does not have a rating on Niche or GreatSchools.org.
Akron METRO Bus
Many of the streets in the neighborhood are narrow, and there are no sidewalks. The public bus option is the Akron METRO system, which has stops on Manchester Road in the northern part of the neighborhood. Interstate 77 is about 5 miles to the east, and it’s a 9-mile trip to the Goodyear Tire Headquarters, one of the largest employers in Akron. The Akron-Canton Airport is 13 miles to the south, and four airlines serve it. Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport is a little more than 40 miles north.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Scaglione,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Boettler Park
Basketball
Disc Golf
Fishing
Lake Nesmith Park
Lake
Picnic Area
Firestone Metro Park
Fishing
Lake
Trails
Portage Lakes Fishing Pond
Fishing
Lake
Nature Center
Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trailhead at Manchester Road.
Bike Trails
Fishing
Picnic Area
Firestone Metro Park Confluence Area
Fishing
Lake
Picnic Area
Transit
Airport
Akron-Canton Regional
17 min drive
Bus
Manchester Rd & Cove Blvd
Bus
Manchester Rd & Nola Ave
Bus
Manchester Rd & Acme
Bus
Cormany Rd & Robinson Ave
Bus
Manchester Rd & Root Dr
Bus
Manchester Rd & Cove Ave
Bus
Robinson Ave & Manchester Rd
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Portage Lakes
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Portage Lakes Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Portage Lakes, Akron sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Portage Lakes, Akron over the last 12 months is $395,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Waterfront Wishes on "Portage Lakes Main Chain" Do Come True! Exceptionally Loved & Updated Home w/a 2 Car attached Garage and all the Pleasures of a "Portage Lakes Lifestyle" from your own Boat Dock to Ski, Fish, Swim, Dine and So much more! Superb Lakefront View(s) from most Rooms such as the Vaulted Living Room w/sliders to a large Lakefront Balcony and A Huge Family Room-Loft w/a Gas
Looking for the “WOW” factor? You just found it. This stunning, fully remodeled lakefront home on the East Reservoir—part of the Main Chain of Portage Lakes—offers unbelievable panoramic sunset views and an unbeatable setting. Set on nearly half an acre, with 70 ft of lake frontage and a 352-foot deep lot, the home sits peacefully near the water’s edge, well away from the road, delivering both
Ranch home in Coventry with access to Long Lake Beach Homes Association lake privileges with $45 annual membership. Just a short block walk from properties! Priced below recent appraisal!!! 2 large bedrooms, 1 bath, fully applianced and full basement with garage. Roof 2017. Furnace and central air 2020. All newer windows 2006 except basement. 1001 sq. ft. on 30% of an acre. Well and septic
Two brick ranchplexes in Coventry! Priced below recent appraisal!!! Long Lake Beach Homes Association lake privileges with $45 annual membership. Just a short block walk from properties! Two duplex buildings with total of four 1 bedroom 1 bath units. Fully applianced. Full basements. Detached open 4 car garage. Two new hot water tanks 2023. One new fridge 2024. Hardwood under carpets. No air
Only minutes from Akron, Newport Landing is located in the Portage Lake Recreation area where boating, skiing and swimming are just around the corner. These luxury 1 and 2 bedroom suites feature an in-suite washer and dryer, a fully equipped kitchen, large walk-in closets, and all the amenities of home. Community perks at Newport Landing include a renovated club house with a social room available
Portage Lakes Waterfront one bedroom. Stainless steel double door refrigerator, new floors and bathroom, large closet with nice size rooms, washer and dryer hookups, this apartment is not furnished. Beautiful yard right on East Reservoir, fire pit, this location located on the PLX main chain of lakes and walking distance to clocktower and close to restaurants and great fishing in your back
Enjoy a fully renovated lakefront retreat on the Western Reservoir, perfect for families and friends looking for relaxation and adventure. This 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers direct lake access, kayaks, a hot tub, and two levels of outdoor dining and lounging areas—everything you need for an unforgettable stay.The home features a fully equipped modern kitchen and a gorgeous resin wood
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
John Scaglione,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
6,719
Median Age
49
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
15.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,228
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,494
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.8%
Advanced Degrees
12.8%
% Population in Labor Force
70.4%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
21/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
