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Thornton Heights

Thornton Heights

$481,805 Average Value
$251 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Centrally located in South Portland

Sandwiched between Route 1 and Interstate 295, Thornton Heights is close to South Portland’s working waterfront. People move to the Thornton Heights and South Portland area because of “its proximity to Portland, and it’s just the feeling of being in southern Maine. We get a lot of people out of state moving here who want a simpler, family-friendly way of life,” says Davian Akers, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who has been living in Portland for 17 years. The average list prices for most homes in Thornton Heights is around $430,000, similar to nearby neighborhoods like Country Gardens and Ligonia, but lower than Libbytown to the north. Neighbors can ride their bikes over the Veterans Memorial Bridge, which crosses the Fore River into Portland. Golfers can practice their swings at South Portland Municipal Golf Course, and just north of the neighborhood is the Maine Mall. Students attend schools within the South Portland Public Schools district, which is graded an overall B-minus on Niche.
Play some golf at the South Portland Municipal Golf Course in Thornton Heights.
Play some golf at the South Portland Municipal Golf Course in Thornton Heights.
I-295 is easily accessible from Thornton Heights.
I-295 is easily accessible from Thornton Heights.
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Ocean lighthouse views and Deering Oaks Park

Getting outside to enjoy nature is common in South Portland neighborhoods. “...You can go to Bug Light lighthouse and Spring Point Light, and there’s also Southern Maine Community College which has a beautiful campus around the ocean. Right next to it is a popular beach called Willard Beach where locals hang out,” Akers says. For Thornton Heights residents, hopping on Route 1 over Thompson Point will take them to Deering Oaks Park, a large green space in downtown Portland. On Saturday mornings, Deering Oaks Park “has a huge three-seasons farmer’s market. A lot of people play football and tennis and volleyball there. It’s also got a big playground and you can go ice skating on the pond in wintertime,” Akers says. “Right next door is Hadlock Field for minor league baseball, which is a good family event to attend.” The City of South Portland Municipal Golf Course is right in the neighborhood for getting in nine rounds after work or on weekends.
Enjoy a game of pickleball at Deering Oaks Park in nearby Portland.
Enjoy a game of pickleball at Deering Oaks Park in nearby Portland.
Play nine holes or rent a book at South Portland Municipal Golf Course and Library.
Play nine holes or rent a book at South Portland Municipal Golf Course and Library.
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Downtown Portland’s many events and festivals

Living so close to downtown Portland means taking advantage of the many annual and weekly events that it has to offer. Locals in Thornton Heights can take daily tours or cruises around Maine’s waterways, go to art exhibitions or attend live music performances at bars and theaters all over town. Visitors can check out the Maine Comic & Toy Con in April or the annual Portland Fine Craft Show in August. In November, families can enjoy the Polar Express Train Ride event at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum for some holiday cheer. In December, Victoria Mansion hosts a gala called Colors of the Season, where guests who buy tickets can take part in an elegant social evening.

Eclectic architectural styles in Thornton Heights

A few Thornton Heights homes are undergoing renovations, and there are new constructions cropping up in the area. “What’s appealing about the houses here is that they have a lot of history. There’s a house that’s pending that was built in the 1830s,” Akers says. “There are no cookie cutter houses there.” However, that may change as more and more new builds appear. Empty land, where the Meetinghouse Hill Park development will be, is currently for sale at around $180,000 for most 0.11 acre lots. “South Portland is great for first-time homebuyers and new families, people who don’t want to be in Portland but don’t mind being a 5-to-10-minute drive from downtown. It’s just over the bridge, so it’s an easy commute,” Akers says. Established homes in the area range from $375,000 to $650,000, with varying architectural styles such as Colonial, ranch-style and farmhouses with gambrel roofs.
Colonial ranch style homes adorn the streets of Thornton Heights.
Colonial ranch style homes adorn the streets of Thornton Heights.
An exquisite Dutch Colonial farmhouse in Thornton Heights.
An exquisite Dutch Colonial farmhouse in Thornton Heights.
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Maine’s largest mall and nearby restaurants

For shopping, Thornton Heights locals “can either go to some restaurants in Ferry Village, and then there’s also the Maine Mall where all the box stores are. It’s the biggest mall in Maine,” Akers says. They can also head to the Old Port area of Downtown to check out the bustling atmosphere there. “The whole Old Port area is a working harbor that has been turned into more of a destination where you’ll find a lot of locally owned restaurants and bars and shops. It’s very locally owned there, so you’re not going to find a lot of national brands,” Akers says. Closer to home, restaurants on Main Street, like Coppersmith Tavern and Table or Aroma Joe’s, make it convenient to get a cup of coffee or spend a date night out of the house. Indy’s Sandwich down the road serves breakfast sandwiches all day, as well as curry and rice dishes. For longer grocery trips, the nearest Walmart and Sam’s Club are 3 miles west near the Maine Mall.
Get a fresh and delicious sandwich from Indy's Sandwich in Thornton Heights.
Get a fresh and delicious sandwich from Indy's Sandwich in Thornton Heights.
Enjoy some delightful food from Jaffa Mediterranean Grill at the nearby Maine Mall.
Enjoy some delightful food from Jaffa Mediterranean Grill at the nearby Maine Mall.
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South Portland Public Schools programs and clubs

Students in Thornton Heights may first attend Dr. Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School, graded a C-plus on Niche. Formally called Memorial Middle School, students can now attend sixth through eighth grade at South Portland Middle School, which resides in the neighborhood and is also graded a C-plus. South Portland High School, graded a B-minus, serves the entire school district. The school offers over a dozen athletic sports, clubs and after-school activities, such as ultimate frisbee, jazz bands, a robotics team and a writing club.
Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade.
Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade.
South Portland Middle School has student to teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
South Portland Middle School has student to teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
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Interstate 295 to downtown Portland

Because it is centrally located, Thornton Heights is a great spot for people who want to be near downtown without dealing with the higher cost of living. However, the neighborhood’s proximity to the interstate, airport and Long Creek can lead to traffic noise and possible flooding during particularly rainy seasons. Downtown and Old Port are just 5 miles away via Interstate 295. Portland International Airport is only 3 miles north via Route 9 or Broadway. Maine Medical Center and the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital for checkups and emergencies are just 4 miles and 10 minutes north of most Thornton Heights homes.
Thornton Heights is a quiet and pristine suburban neighborhood.
Thornton Heights is a quiet and pristine suburban neighborhood.
Shop and dine at historic Old Port in nearby Portland.
Shop and dine at historic Old Port in nearby Portland.
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Shelby Sullivan
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Jake Gold
Photography Contributed By
Jake Gold
EB Fox
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EB Fox

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 Scott Reiff Denise Reiff, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Thornton Heights US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Thornton Heights Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$365,000
Median Sale Price
$365,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$345,990
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$395,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
19
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$251

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
627
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1961
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,338
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,084
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,075
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Scott Reiff Denise Reiff, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,571
Median Age
45
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$68,942
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$97,737

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
43.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.7%
% Population in Labor Force
70.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
36''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

40 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

34 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

21 / 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.

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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
Thornton Heights