$488,358Average Value$346Average Price per Sq Ft27Homes For Sale
A Portland suburb that encompasses Oregon’s largest public housing development
Sandwiched between the Willamette River and Columbia Slough is Portsmouth, a neighborhood defined by its proximity to the University of Portland, Forest Park trails and The New Columbia Subdivision, a planned community managed by The Portland Housing Authority. “We’re a little bit like a suburb in the city,” says Mary-Margaret Wheeler-Weber, the Chair of the Portsmouth Neighborhood Association who’s called the neighborhood home since 2001. “It’s not exactly island life, but you’re not in the heart of downtown either,” she adds, noting that Portsmouth itself is on the North Portland Peninsula, just 15 minutes from Downtown when traffic’s light. The neighborhood doesn’t have its own business center, but residents can easily access surrounding communities like St Johns or Kenton on their bikes — Portsmouth receives 99 out of 100 when it comes to bikeability, and many will choose to run errands on two wheels rather than four. The New Columbia Subdivision, which spans over 80 acres, was redeveloped in 2006 to include hundreds of rental units, senior housing and single-family homes. “Kids speak something like 45 languages at home in New Columbia,” says Wheeler-Weber, explaining that the housing development’s diversity is even reflected in the community gardens. “You see so many people growing things from their home countries, produce you can’t get in the store.” The result is notably flavorful potlucks, and community members like to come together to share their stories along with their favorite dishes.
Establishing aerial view of the Portsmouth neighborhood.
Establishing aerial view of the Portsmouth neighborhood.
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20th-century bungalows, ranch-styles and New Columbia Housing
In Portsmouth, families — many of which are first-time homebuyers — put down roots in ranch-styles and bungalows dating back to the first half of the 20th century. Prices for two and three-bedroom properties typically range between $400,000 and $550,000, with the average home value hovering at $470,000. Two-car garages are few and far between due to the age of most of these properties, but street parking is plentiful. Cars are shaded by decades-old Douglas-firs. Within New Columbia, an 80-plus-acre mixed-income development, prospective buyers will find Colonial-inspired homes built in the early 2000s and later. “You walk around it’s almost like being in a gated community in that the houses look kind of similar,” says Wheeler-Weber. “The sidewalks are new, and there’s a mix of owner-occupied and public housing.” Prices for single-family homes will start in the mid $300,000s and reach upwards of $500,000 — most are a quick walk away from McCoy Park, and a Home Owner’s Association maintains front yard landscaping.
Garden Boxes in Front of a Bungalow Home in Portsmouth
Updated Bungalow with Private Driveway in Portsmouth
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Nearly 30 countries are represented at Roosevelt High School
School-aged children can attend Rosa Parks Elementary and Geroge Middle, both of which earned a C from the educational review site, Niche, before heading to Roosevelt High School, which received a C-plus. Roosevelt, built in the early 1920s, was expanded to include a new wing in 2017. The student body represents nearly 30 countries, and Roosevelt is home to the Portland International Scholars Academy (PISA), a program designed to help high schoolers adapt after moving to the United States. Roosevelt also takes the arts seriously, and students can enroll in drama classes, become a part of the International Thespian Society or join the Opening Act Theater Company, which also encourages community members to audition.
The University of Portland, a private institution with an undergraduate population of approximately 3,400, is a neighbor to the west.
marque Rosa Parks Elementary Portsmouth
Pylon Sign leading into the main entrance to Roosevelt High School.
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Basketball courts, community gardens and weekend soccer matches
There are several parks scattered throughout Portsmouth, many of which have their own playgrounds and splash pads. New Columbia residents head to McCoy Park to shoot hoops or reserve a plot in the community garden. Artist Suzanne Lee designed steel fence panels to surround the garden, and images carved into the panels are meant to honor the different corners of the world. There’s also Northgate Park, where residents flock to play soccer on the weekends, and Columbia Park, which spans more than 35 acres. Families come here to picnic underneath the towering Douglas firs, and children build fairy houses in the moss. Several pocket parks equipped with small play structures can also be found throughout the neighborhood.
Baseball practice at the Columbia Park fields in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth residents enjoy pickle ball at the Columbia Park courts.
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The Village Market and dining options along Lombard Street
Although Portsmouth isn’t home to any large-scale shopping districts, New Columbia residents can always head to The Village Market next to McCoy Park, a non-profit designed to make fresh produce both affordable and accessible. Here, the shelves are stocked with seasonal goods from Village Gardens around the city. For locally-made beers, ciders and wines, locals like to head to Chill N Fill on Lombard Street, which also sponsors food carts like Indian Tadka House and Happy Sushi. “The food cart pod is a very friendly place to meet with your group or go with your kids,” says Wheeler-Weber, adding that, “you’ll also see a lot of dog action.” Other stops along Lombard Street include The Fishwife, which serves up fresh bowls of chowder and fried scallops, and East Side Deli, known for its extensive sandwich menu, hotdogs and salads. Rare and collectible books can be found at Arches Bookhouse at the intersection of North Houghton Street and North Wall Avenue, and there are always more shopping and dining opportunities in neighboring communities like St Johns, Kenton and Cathedral Park.
Enjoy a beer or sandwich at the East Side delicatessen.
The Village Market stocks fresh produce in the Portsmouth neighborhood.
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Charles Jordan Community Center Entrance in Portsmouth
The Charles Gordon Community Center and the Portland International Raceway
Inside the Charles Gordon Community Center, located next to Rosa Parks Elementary, Portsmouth residents can make use of the indoor basketball courts, take fitness classes and access the internet. The center was built in the early 1940s and was renamed in 2012 to honor Charles Jordan, Portland’s first African American Parks & Recreation Director and City Commissioner. Meanwhile, St. John’s Theater & Pub, which was previously a Lutheran Church and bingo parlor, is now a popular movie theater with a full-service beer and cider menu. Nearby, stop by Wonderwood Springs, advertised as “an immersive fantasy experience meets restaurant.” Their nine-hole mini golf course is $10 per person. Just across the Columbia River from Portsmouth is the Portland International Raceway, a motorsports facility that hosts the IndyCar Series, Formula E and ICSCC (the International Conference of Sports Car Club). Be forewarned that some Portsmouth residents can hear the sound of revving engines echoing in their backyards during the summer months, and the track has also been the subject of controversy due to its use of leaded gasoline.
The TriMet bus system, the Portland International Aiport and nearby medical care
The TriMet bus system serves the Portland Metro Area, easing the commute between Portsmouth and Oregon’s largest city. Bus 35 stops along North Willis Boulevard directly outside Cesar Chavez School. Residents with their own cars can access Downtown via North Lombard Street and Interstate 5 — the drive is a bit over 15 minutes depending on traffic. Some residents will also notice the rumble of freight trails passing along the BNSF Railway. The Portland International Airport, which is serviced by over 20 commercial airlines, is about 20 minutes away from the neighborhood, and nearby medical facilities include the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, one of only two Level 1 Trauma Centers in Oregon.
Portsmouth conveniently offers ample public transportation.
Downtown Portland is a short drive from the Portsmouth neighborhood.
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.
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Portsmouth Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Portsmouth, Portland sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Portsmouth, Portland over the last 12 months is $460,640, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath home is perfectly situated just minutes from shopping, schools, and neighborhood parks, plus it has fantastic walk and bike scores for an active lifestyle. The kitchen features an adjacent dining area with sliding doors to the deck, making it the ideal space for indoor/outdoor dining or morning coffee. Each bedroom is generously sized, and the full bathroom includes a
Charming Duplex with Bonus Basement Units in the Heart of St. JohnsNestled in the vibrant St. Johns neighborhood, this versatile duplex presents a fantastic opportunity for both homeowners and investors. Each side of the duplex offers 1 spacious bedroom and 1 full bathroom, with light-filled, open-concept living areas that blend comfort and functionality—perfect for everyone, professionals, or
Sustainably-Built New Construction Townhome Across from Northgate Park — No HOA. Be the first to own this sustainably-built new construction townhome, ideally located adjacent to Northgate Park. Home is situated on its own lot with no HOA, offering true fee-simple ownership. This 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom home is thoughtfully designed with high-end finishes throughout, including quartz countertops,
Duplex-style apartment homes in a courtyard setting Harrison Square is a community of one story duplex style apartment homes, some featuring wood burning fireplaces. It is located in the Portsmouth/St. Johns area and features recent exterior renovations such as new siding and double-paned windows, with fenced patios on the way. A seasonal pool and quiet courtyards will be yours to enjoy when the
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Tall ceilings and hardwood floors make this vintage 1904 home feel warm and spacious. Quiet street with lots of on street (and off street) parking, a garage for storage, fresh exterior paint and a mahogany front porch make for a relaxing home. Close to bus linesWasher and dryerGranite countertopsHigh ceilingsShaded back yardNo smoking
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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.
