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Downtown Portland

Downtown Portland

Neighborhood in Portland, Maine

Cumberland County 04101, 04102

$758,154 Average Value
$737 Average Price per Sq Ft
19 Homes For Sale

Downtown Portland lives up to its motto

Downtown Portland is a testament to the city’s motto, “Resurgam,” which means “I shall rise again.” While the area was almost destroyed twice – once during the Revolutionary War and again during the Great Fire of 1866 – a walk along the brick sidewalks tells a story of resilience and rebuilding. Many of the oldest factories have been turned into condos, breathing new life into historic buildings. There is a vibrant art scene, with murals and sculptures on almost every street. Folks can spend the day at one of the many museums in the city and choose from more than 100 restaurants. There is a different event nearly every weekend, with markets in Monument Square and First Friday Art Walks every month. “Those who like downtown love the architecture, the excitement and the walkability,” says Realtor Jed Rathband, of Rathband Company at Keller Williams, and a longtime resident of the peninsula.
Exchange Street in Downtown Portland is a popular street lined with gift shops and food choices.
Exchange Street in Downtown Portland is a popular street lined with gift shops and food choices.
Local bands gather at Postmark Park for a good time in Downtown Portland.
Local bands gather at Postmark Park for a good time in Downtown Portland.
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Apartments and condos in converted buildings

Sidewalks lead directly from the restaurant scene to the condos that over 4,000 people call home. That number is only expected to grow. “The downtown is changing rapidly,” Rathband says. “A lot of what was traditionally office buildings are being converted to residential. The number of people who are going to be living downtown, and on the peninsula in general, continues to increase.” Many of those red-brick office buildings turned into condos are from the 1800s. Several contemporary units pay homage to the older architecture in the city. Prices for a one-bedroom condo tend to range from $425,000 to $525,000, while two bedrooms can cost between $650,000 and $875,000. Mid-20th century condos on the shore, featuring balconies facing the sunrise in the east, cost between $1 million and $1.2 million. Most residents are renters.. Although single-family houses are rare, there are some Victorian-era and Federal homes in the neighborhood that typically go for $850,000 to $1.1 million. Downtown Portland receives a CAP Index Crime Score of eight out of 10, compared to the national average of four.
Chandler's Wharf Condominiums  in Downtown Portland feature stunning waterfront views.
Chandler's Wharf Condominiums in Downtown Portland feature stunning waterfront views.
19th century buildings have homes on the upper levels and local businesses below.
19th century buildings have homes on the upper levels and local businesses below.
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Outdoor and indoor fun in Downtown Portland

With so many places to visit, there is always something to do. History buffs can explore Lincoln Park, Portland’s first public green space that is being renovated, and Fort Allen Park, a military base in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The Eastern Promenade Trail connects the park to East End Beach, the only public beach in the area. At the Portland Museum of Art, which opened in 1882, patrons can see over 18,000 works, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Claude Monet. The Portland Public Library is across the street from Monument Square, a gathering place at the center of the city. “It’s the place where people protest, it’s the place where people pray,” Tyson says. “It’s where the people go in public to get their message out.”
The Fort Allen Park is an urban neighborhood park near Downtown Portland.
The Fort Allen Park is an urban neighborhood park near Downtown Portland.
Residents in Downtown Portland flock to  East End Beach for summer fun.
Residents in Downtown Portland flock to East End Beach for summer fun.
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Portland High students can enroll at PATHS

The neighborhood is served by Portland Public Schools, with Reiche Community School receiving a C-plus from Niche and King Middle School scoring a C. Portland High School (PHS) earns a B-minus and partners with Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) to offer hands-on learning for programs ranging from masonry to biomedical and health science. If students enroll in a program at PATHS, they can take a maximum of four classes at PHS. Downtown is also home to the Maine College of Art and Design, which Tyson describes as a “destination school for artists.” It offers a bachelor's and master's degree in fine arts and a pre-college intensive for high schoolers.
Portland Hight School has a diverse student population that represents a variety of backgrounds.
Portland Hight School has a diverse student population that represents a variety of backgrounds.
The East End Community School is affiliated with the Portland Public Schools district.
The East End Community School is affiliated with the Portland Public Schools district.
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Artistic events throughout the year

The neighborhood boasts a full calendar of events, many embracing the city’s creative energy. First Friday Art Walks kick off each month with a stroll through the many galleries in the area. The Resurgam Music and Arts Festival is an annual all-day celebration of local artists that started in June 2021, with over 60 live performances and 40 vendors selling their art. Portland Downtown hosts the Monumental Market every Friday from June to September to support the many makers in the city. Other highlights throughout the year are the Old Port Half Marathon and the Portland Parade of Lights on Casco Bay each holiday season.
Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland
The Portland Symphony Opening Weekend Block Party offers music, food and activities for all.
The Portland Symphony Opening Weekend Block Party offers music, food and activities for all.
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Comfortable for commuters

Downtown Portland is a walkable community, but it is more than that. Tyson describes the walks as “lovable,” with wide, brick sidewalks and decorated resting spots leading to the restaurant district. Many people also get around on bicycles, either their own or ones rented from Tandem Mobility, a bikeshare program with over 40 stops in the city. Drivers share the road with the Greater Portland Metro, which has several bus routes connecting downtown to the rest of the area. Franklin Street borders the neighborhood and connects with Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 1. Portland International Jetport is about 5 miles away, and the nearest emergency room is at Maine Medical Center.
Downtown Portland has an excellent public transportation system for local commuters.
Downtown Portland has an excellent public transportation system for local commuters.
Downtown Portland is easily accessed by I-95.
Downtown Portland is easily accessed by I-95.
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Lively dining and shopping scene

With the Maine coast as a backdrop, downtown offers plenty of seafood options. This includes DiMillo’s on the Water, a fine-dining establishment, and the more casual Gilbert’s Chowder House, which has served the community for over 30 years. However, Downtown Portland’s food scene offers so much more than seafood. “I always tell people, it’s like New Orleans,” says Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown, a nonprofit dedicated to the continuing growth of the area, and resident of 8 years. “You can’t have a bad meal if you choose a local restaurant. The market is so strong that it doesn’t tolerate bad food.” One shining example is Leeward, an Italian restaurant twice nominated for a James Beard Award since it opened in 2020. Both Rathband and Tyson recommend Bard Coffee, a café next to two of the city’s many parks, Tommy’s Park and Post Office Park. “They just have such good coffee and great service,” Rathband says. The area also has several independent shops, such as the Art Mart, which sells artist materials, and Little Ghost, a vintage clothing store. Folks can either get their groceries from Trader Joe’s or Hannaford, both within 1 mile. Target, Walmart and Lowe’s are all about a 7-mile drive.
Downtown Portland's Shipwreck & Cargo has a variety of Maine local merchandise.
Downtown Portland's Shipwreck & Cargo has a variety of Maine local merchandise.
DiMillo's floating restaurant has been a favorite stop for visitors.
DiMillo's floating restaurant has been a favorite stop for visitors.
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Zia Sampson
Written By
Zia Sampson
Amanda Beattie
Photography Contributed By
Amanda Beattie
Matthew Link
Video By
Matthew Link

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Edmund Gardner III, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Portland International Jetport

9 min drive

Bus

Middle St & Franklin St

Bus

Pulse

Bus

York St & Pleasant St

Bus

Forest Ave & Congress St

Bus

Temple St & Free St

Bus

High St & Spring St

Bus

Preble St & Cumberland Ave

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Portland US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 8 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 8 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown Portland Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$795,000
Median Sale Price
$808,837
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,495,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$985,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
116
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$737

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
784
Number of Homes for Sale
19
Median Year Built
2017
Months of Supply
2.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,916
On par with the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,356
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,296
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
812
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,445

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Edmund Gardner III, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,159
Median Age
37
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$41,650
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$70,985

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
56.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.6%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
53''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

81 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

98 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

54 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Portland
Edmund Gardner III
Gardner Real Estate Group
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