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Kenton

Kenton

Neighborhood Reviews
4.1
$506,232 Average Value
$330 Average Price per Sq Ft
16 Homes For Sale

An amenity-packed north Portland neighborhood

Once a company town built up to serve employees of the Union Meat Company, Kenton is now a north Portland neighborhood popular for its unique mix of amenities, which include the city’s raceway and expo center. “There’s a lot going on there,” says Claire Paris, Realtor and owner of Paris Group Realty and a top seller in the neighborhood. “There’s one big main street with sidewalks that are flat and easy to walk that has all kinds of things like shopping, dining, a library. And the Kenton Club has some pretty cool shows.” In residential sections of the neighborhood, rows of early-twentieth-century homes that have been well-cared for are particularly popular among young professionals, mostly due to their petite floorplans.

Match skinny homes in the Kenton Neighborhood.
Match skinny homes in the Kenton Neighborhood.
The Portland Expo Center hosts various events throughout the year in Kenton.
The Portland Expo Center hosts various events throughout the year in Kenton.
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Early-twentieth-century homes

The residential part of the neighborhood, located south of Columbia Boulevard, features a charming mix of early-twentieth-century styles. “Because Kenton was started so early, most of the houses are Craftsmans or bungalows,” Paris says. “It was a modest area where blue-collar employees lived, so while there are a few humongous ones, mostly it’s two-bedroom, one-bathroom homes.” Streets are laid in grids, and usually lined with sidewalks, trees, and extensive landscaping. The smallest move-in ready homes start around $300,000, while the largest and often newer ones can list as high as the $800,000s. Condo and townhouse units, often carved out of single-family homes, can range from around $165,000 to $750,000.

New homes built on narrow lots in the Kenton neighborhood.
New homes built on narrow lots in the Kenton neighborhood.
A brightly colored door and matching lawn art in Kenton.
A brightly colored door and matching lawn art in Kenton.
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The shopping and dining scene

Kenton has plenty of shopping and dining residents can walk to in the neighborhood, particularly along North Denver Avenue. King Burrito’s diner-style Mexican food has been a local favorite for over fifty years. Residents can catch up with their friends at dive bars like Mouse Trap Tavern, which has been one of Kenton’s favorite watering holes since 1985, or treasure-hunt at shops like Kenton Antiques and Collectibles. When it’s time to stock up the fridge, the local Fred Meyer has all the necessities. For just about anything else, the Hayden Meadows Square shopping center is minutes away and boasts retailers like Lowe’s Home Improvement, Dollar Tree, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

King Burrito has delicious Mexican food in Kenton.
King Burrito has delicious Mexican food in Kenton.
Shopping on North Denver Avenue in the Kenton Neighborhood makes running errands easy.
Shopping on North Denver Avenue in the Kenton Neighborhood makes running errands easy.
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A major event hub in the neighborhood

While there are a few live music joints on the south side of Kenton, including the popular Kenton Club, the neighborhood’s big-ticket entertainment is found to the north. Portland International Raceway has been the city’s premier racetrack since the early 1960s and hosts Indycar and Nascar events, along with drag racing and motocross. Residents can also check the event schedule at the Portland Expo Center, which has everything from boat shows to the Portland Seafood & Wine Festival.

The Portland Expo Center hosts various events throughout the year in Kenton.
The Portland Expo Center hosts various events throughout the year in Kenton.
Shopping on N Denver Ave in the Kenton Neighborhood makes running errands easy.
Shopping on N Denver Ave in the Kenton Neighborhood makes running errands easy.
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Walkable to the local elementary school

Students in the neighborhood attend Portland Public Schools like Peninsula K-5 School, which is graded C by Niche; Ockley Green Middle School, graded C; and Jefferson High School, graded B-minus. Peninsula K-5 School is walkable from many houses in the neighborhood and offers before and after-school programming via the nonprofit Camp Fire Columbia.

Peninsula K-5 School is committed to student success in the Kenton neighborhood.
Peninsula K-5 School is committed to student success in the Kenton neighborhood.
Portland Village School is helping students grow in Kenton.
Portland Village School is helping students grow in Kenton.
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A recreational hotspot

The northern part of Kenton is comprised of large swaths of green space. The Heron Lakes Golf Club is home to two championship courses with 36 holes, bound to keep golfers entertained in perpetuity. Just next to the course is the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, a scenic retreat from the city where residents can explore the habitats of birds, otters, turtles, and more by foot or by boat. Other city parks, like Kenton Park, offer traditional amenities like playgrounds, ball fields, and paved paths.

Smith Bybee Natural Area offers residents a chance to be with nature in Kenton.
Smith Bybee Natural Area offers residents a chance to be with nature in Kenton.
A dog walker enjoys the open park early in the morning in the Kenton neighborhood.
A dog walker enjoys the open park early in the morning in the Kenton neighborhood.
Plenty of outdoor sitting on N. Denver Ave. in front of Casa Maya in the Kenton Neighborhood.
Plenty of outdoor sitting on N. Denver Ave. in front of Casa Maya in the Kenton Neighborhood.
Shopping on N Denver Ave in the Kenton Neighborhood makes running errands easy.
Shopping on N Denver Ave in the Kenton Neighborhood makes running errands easy.
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Getting to and from Kenton

Residents can hop on Interstate 5 and follow it south for about 7 miles to get downtown by car. The light rail also runs through Kenton and heads straight to downtown. Vancouver, Washington, is only a five-minute drive from Kenton when heading north across the river.

Air quality and noise concerns

Portland International Raceway, a city-operated venue in the neighborhood, allows the use of leaded fuel, and residents are concerned about the potentially dangerous effects on the air quality as a result. A group of concerned citizens have been petitioning the city to ban the sale and use of leaded fuel at the raceway. The city maintains there is no issue with the air quality.

On summer nights, Paris says, sometimes residents can hear noise from events at the raceway. While it’s not something that would bother everyone, buyers may want to take note when looking in the neighborhood.

Katelin Hill
Written By
Katelin Hill
Tim Acock
Photography Contributed By
Tim Acock
Jackson Nacey
Video By
Jackson Nacey

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Portland International

29 min drive

Subway

Kenton/N Denver

Subway

Delta Park/Vanport

Subway

Expo Center

Bus

N Willis & Washburne

Bus

N Lombard & Peninsular

Bus

N Willis & Chautauqua

Bus

2600 Block N Marine

Bus

N Willis & Bayard

Bus

N Denver & Watts

Bus

N Denver & Russet

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.1 4 Reviews
5.0 Current Resident
6/21/2021 Niche Review
Kenton has easy access to public transportation as well as an adorable downtown strip. The area is packed with small and local businesses and has some adorable neighborhoods with multiple easy to walk to parks. Be warned, there is quite a large homeless population but that is constant all over Portland. There can be some street noise due to all of the great public transportation but it is worth it.
Are you familiar with the Kenton neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Kenton Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$475,000
Median Sale Price
$490,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$515,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$441,750
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$319,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
125
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$330

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,863
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Median Year Built
1949
Months of Supply
1.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,494
Significantly below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,601
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
891
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
623
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Sep 14
    3 - 5pm

    3524 N Willis Blvd, Portland, OR 97217

    $525,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,360 Sq Ft
    • 3524 N Willis Blvd
    • New 3 days ago

    This stunning 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers comfort, style, and convenience in one perfect package. Gorgeous hardwood floors flow throughout the main level, where you’ll find a spacious living room with a cozy gas fireplace, a dining area with sliders to the backyard, and a chef’s kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, pantry, and eat bar. A laundry room and half bath

    Agent Photo
    Nick Shivers
    Keller Williams PDX Central
    (971) 406-4308
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  • Sunday, Sep 14
    1 - 3pm

    2645 N Halleck St, Portland, OR 97217

    $625,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,406 Sq Ft
    • 2645 N Halleck St
    • New 23 days ago

    Charming renovation of this classic English with charm galore along with stylish updates. From the minute you step in the door and see the narrow plank oak floors and roman brick details, you know you are somewhere special. Thoughtful renovations include an open kitchen, extensive wainscotting, granite counters, expanded closet space, double pane windows, and a stainless steel appliance package.

    Chris Bonner Neighbors Realty

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  • Saturday, Sep 13
    11am - 2pm

    3289 N Halleck St, Portland, OR 97217

    $450,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 960 Sq Ft
    • 3289 N Halleck St
    • New 2 days ago

    Discover this bright, updated ranch in the heart of Kenton. This single-level home shines with fresh exterior paint, newer wood floors, and a remodeled kitchen and bath. Step outside to the private backyard and unwind on the spacious floating deck. A true gardener’s paradise, the yard features raised beds with climbing hops and an abundance of mature fruit trees including Italian plum,

    Alexander Ney Urban Nest Realty

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
7,979
Median Age
40
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$91,629
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$106,557

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.2%
College Graduates
50.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.5%
% Population in Labor Force
77.4%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
3''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

47 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

9 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

42 / 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

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
Kenton