$231,067Average Value$212Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A small agricultural town
In north Chautauqua County, a bright pink elephant stands out along the side of U.S. Route 20. Her name is Ella the Elephant, a beloved character that marks the grounds of one of Portland's only wineries, 21 Brix Winery. Tucked between the sought-after villages of Westfield and Fredonia, Portland and 21 Brix Winery are easily overlooked, thus the reasoning behind Ella’s attention-grabbing statue. Portland is one of the few towns within the Lake Erie Grape Belt where fertile lands give way to acres of vineyards. The area is one of the largest grape growing regions outside of California, with national bands like Welch's sourcing its produce from surrounding towns.
Portland is one of the many local rural agricultural communities that offer a small-town lifestyle, where swaths of farmland surround the town's village. "People have their roots here," says Anne LaPaglia, associate broker with Howard Hanna Holt Real Estate, who has been in the industry since 1989. "Most people are born and raised here and never want to leave."
Route 20 goes right through Portland with the village of Brocton having the most small shops in the area.
Many homes in Portland are close to farmland.
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Main Street's Brocton Arch
Brocton, the town's only village, stands out with a dark green double arch that's believed to be the only remaining double arch east of the Mississippi River. This nationally recognized historic landmark highlighted the village’s growth and prosperity as symbol of its prosperity as the "Home of the Concord Grape in 1913. The arch marks the start of a small Main Street. St. Stephens Cafe is a quaint cafe that sits at the corner of the arch and is known for its classic American breakfasts and specialty coffee drinks like a chocolate spiced chai and a raspberry macchiato. Down the street, the Green Arch Restaurant matches the historic arch with its dark green facade and interior accents.
Main Street features one Dollar General, a gas station, a post office and multiple houses of worship. The Town of Dunkirk, about 10 miles away, has more extensive grocers and big-box stores like Walmart Supercenter and The Home Depot.
Three miles down the street, Ella the elephant was meant to capture attention. In 2011, 21 Brix Winery erected Ella the elephant as a signifier before they could create a roadside sign. Today, Ella the elephant and her buddy Barry the Buffalo have multiple wines named after them. The winery is one of over a dozen scattered along the 50-mile Lake Erie wine trail.
Brocton near Portland is known for its double arch over its main intersection.
St. Stephens Cafe in Portland offers special coffee creation for every season.
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Secluded homes with acreage
Most residents reside in the village, where modest colonial-style homes sit close together. The rest of Portland consists of low-density residential lots. Fields of vineyards are interspersed with secluded ranch-style homes with acreage. Prices for these homes can range from the $100,000s to the mid-$300,000s. Eclectic lakefront cottages are priced from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$400,000s. Van Buren Point, one of Portland's numerous hamlets, sits at the northeast corner of town, where home styles include Cape Cods, bungalows, ranch-style and custom-built homes. Its lakefront access and proximity to Dunkirk's amenities make it the most expensive part of town, with prices ranging from the mid-$200,000s to the $500,000s. Like many areas of the county, undeveloped plots of land are also available, with prices ranging from $45,000 to over $1 million. Westfield earns a CAP Index crime score of 3 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Colonials like this can cost up to 500,000 in Portland.
The median household income in Portland is $31,000.
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Rail trails, nature preserves and the lake
Portland offers numerous recreational activities with swaths of farmland, woodlands and access to Lake Erie. A 5-mile stretch of Chautauqua County's rail trail system, a walking path that follows the route of the region's old rail lines, runs through town. Graystone Nature Preserve is another one of many public spaces that offer wooden hiking trails. Luensman Overview Park offers scenic views of Lake Erie and a 1-mile walking loop for a less strenuous escape.
Less than 7 miles away, Lake Erie State Park attracts residents and visitors with seasonal campgrounds and scenic views. Hiking trails transform into cross-country skiing trails in the winter, while common pastimes include hunting, snowmobiling and skiing at one of the nearby resorts. The lake's expansive waters welcome canoeists, kayakers and anglers. Small rocky stretches of the shoreline are lifeguarded in the summer. Additional amenities include a playground and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Those opting for a sandy shoreline can head about 7 miles to Dunkirk's Point Gratiot Park on the banks of Lake Erie. A 1-mile path winds along the point, leading to the town's historic 1826 Dunkirk Lighthouse. Other amenities include ballfields, a playground, covered pavilions for afternoon picnics and a public restroom.
The trailhead for Chautauqua Rails to Trails is located behind the Brocton Central School District.
Van Buren Point has some of the most sought after homes in Portland.
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Brocton Central's amenities
The Brocton Central School District serves the community and earns an overall C rating from Niche. Pre-kindergarteners through fifth graders may attend Brocton Elementary School, which scores a C. Middle and high schoolers may attend Brocton Secondary School, which earns a C-plus. Due to the town's small population, both schools share a campus, while its grounds serve as a community center. Residents and non-residents can pay a small fee to utilize workout equipment at the school's fitness center and swim in the indoor pool during non-school hours. Due to its rarity, residents can also rent out the pool and cafeteria for private birthday parties.
Portland is also home to the Cornell Lake Erie Research Center. Here, Cornell University and Penn State University faculty spend their days researching how to increase agricultural crop yields, implement pest management strategies and more.
Brocton Baptist Church in Portland offers Sunday service at 10:30am.
Ahira Hall Memorial Library in Portland offers a children's story hour and has a book club.
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Commutes on U.S. Route 20
The Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System operates bus routes in Portland by request, meaning that residents must schedule ahead of time for pick up at the Portland post office. Buses do make regular stops at Brocton's Country Fair convenience store. However, Portland is primarily a car-dependent community. U.S. Route 20 leads about 6 miles away to Westfield Memorial Hospital or 11 miles north to Dunkirk's Brooks Memorial Hospital. Erie International Airport is about 54 miles away via Interstate 90, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is about 60 miles away. New York State Route 5, a designated scenic byway, runs along Lake Erie's shoreline. Portland is also home to Lakeview Shock Incarceration Center, a minimum security, military-style correctional facility.
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
Kate Despins,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Portland Community Park
Lake Erie State Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Portland
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Portland, NY sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Portland, NY over the last 12 months is $257,042, up 29% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Discover the perfect blend of open space and location on this level vacant land in South Stockton, NY. Spanning a generous acreage with tillable fields, this property offers endless possibilities for farming, recreation, or building your dream home. Whether you're looking to cultivate crops, start a building project, or simply enjoy the outdoors, this land provides a solid foundation for your
Paul VaicunasWHITETAIL PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE LLC (NY)
Experience lakefront tranquility with this charming two-bedroom mid-century ranch nestled on just under one acre along the shore of Lake Erie. This home features beautiful parquet floors, arched doorways, spectacular lake views, clean architectural lines, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. Enjoy stunning lake sunsets from the comfort of your living room beside
Enjoy the amenities and benefits of living in a lakeside community without the worry of beach-front or break-wall maintenance. This lovely, well maintained, 2-bedroom/2-bath ranch is nestled on a good-sized corner lot (80 x 100) with a view of Lake Erie. There’s a path to the lake right across the street from your front door. It features deeded lake rights, an open floor plan, new vinyl windows,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kate Despins,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,025
Median Age
43
Population under 18
18%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$46,166
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$58,146
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.4%
College Graduates
21.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.3%
% Population in Labor Force
42.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
27''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 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.
