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South Portland

South Portland

Suburban Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Multnomah County 97201, 97219, 97239

Neighborhood Reviews
3.8
$577,100 Average Value
$335 Average Price per Sq Ft
27 Homes For Sale

Bordered by mountains and a sparkling waterfront

Bordered on the east by the Willamette River and on the west by the Tualatin Mountains, South Portland stretches from Downtown to the Sellwood Bridge. The large neighborhood is home to a mix of commercial, retail and residential areas, with some houses in the area nearly as old as Portland itself. This neighborhood consists of two main subsections, John’s Landing to the south and South Waterfront to the north. The north consists of newer builds and high-rise condos, characterized by high-density, eco-urban living contrasted by the neighborhood’s well-established southern half with its older homes and classic Portland architecture. “It’s one of the most livable centrally located neighborhoods I’ve ever been to,” says Scott Quick, principal broker with over 20 years of experience selling in the greater Portland area and co-founder of Quick and Associates Real Estate. “You’ve got proximity to downtown Portland and its nightlife, world-class eateries, concerts and theater, but you also get easy access to the Willamette, the Oregon Zoo, the Oregon coast, and Mt. Hood.” South Portland offers residents a taste of the outdoors while still being part of one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest.

Homes curve along the Willamette River

South Portland is a narrow, gridded stretch of land divided by Interstate 5 and curving along the Willamette River. There is a lot of variety in the local housing market, with homes ranging from historic bungalows to colonial revival inspired builds to modern riverfront condos. Houses with two bedrooms or less sell from $350,000- $550,000, with an average price of $500,000. Homes with three bedrooms or more tend to sell for $500,000- $750,000, with the average price falling around $650,000.

New construction townhomes with a modern-white design in South Portland, Oregon.
New construction townhomes with a modern-white design in South Portland, Oregon.
Boat house with a docking station right by the water in South Portland, Oregon.
Boat house with a docking station right by the water in South Portland, Oregon.
skyline shot of lots of buildings and view of the city in South Portland, Oregon.
skyline shot of lots of buildings and view of the city in South Portland, Oregon.
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A Shopping and dining hub

South Portland is home to a number of bars and restaurants, mostly located on the north side, near Central Portland, or along Macadam Avenue, the neighborhood’s major thoroughfare. Most restaurants in the area tend to be casual sit-down spots and run the gamut from established eateries, such as Bamboo Grove and Buffalo Gap Saloon & Eatery, to the up-and-coming Siam Umami, which specializes in royal Thai cuisine. There’s less shopping here than in places like Central or East Portland; however, there are a number of local shops and convenience stores in the area. For groceries, residents can head to Zupan’s on the south side of the neighborhood. “It’s a well thought of, high-end family market,” says Quick.

McMenamins is a nice pub to visit in South Portland, Oregon.
McMenamins is a nice pub to visit in South Portland, Oregon.
Colorful shops are seen all over south Portland, Oregon with lots of areas to walk.
Colorful shops are seen all over south Portland, Oregon with lots of areas to walk.
The entrance to Siam Umami is a nice Asian food destination in South Portland, Oregon.
The entrance to Siam Umami is a nice Asian food destination in South Portland, Oregon.
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A boater's haven

Parks line the neighborhood on either side. Along the Willamette River, a mixed-use riverside trail connects a series of local parks along the waterfront, while to the west, Marquam Nature Park offers hikes into the hills of West Portland, providing some of the best panoramic city views. The neighborhood is also a haven for boaters: Fishing, rowing and sailing are just a few of the watersports available along the calm stretch of the Willamette bordering South Portland. The neighborhood is also 14 miles southeast of Forest Park, one of the largest natural parks in the U.S., with 5200 acres of woodlands.

Mural of Willamette Park Plaza in Portland, Oregon.
Mural of Willamette Park Plaza in Portland, Oregon.
Play structure and tennis courts is a great place for kids to play at Willamette Park, Oregon.
Play structure and tennis courts is a great place for kids to play at Willamette Park, Oregon.
Open area shows the beautiful landscape of Willamette Park, Oregon.
Open area shows the beautiful landscape of Willamette Park, Oregon.
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Portland Public School District

The neighborhood is part of the Portland Public School District. Students can begin their education at Capitol Hill Elementary School and Gray Middle School, both of which earned a B-plus on Niche. Students can finish their education at Lincoln High School, which ranked No. 8 in Best Public High Schools in Oregon, earning itself a grade A on Niche. There are also several private and charter schools in the area.

Entrance to Ida B. Wells School in South Portland, Oregon.
Entrance to Ida B. Wells School in South Portland, Oregon.
Football field just outside the school campus of Ida B. Wells School in Portland, Oregon.
Football field just outside the school campus of Ida B. Wells School in Portland, Oregon.
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Easy commuting

Commuting from the neighborhood is relatively easy, as I-5 runs through the neighborhood. However, those looking to get by without a car may have a bit more trouble than in other Portland neighborhoods. While there are bus stops and bike trails throughout South Portland, the city’s light rail system only extends to the northern portion of the neighborhood. For long distance travel, the Portland International Airport is 10 miles northeast of South Portland.

The Waterfront Blues Festival

The annual Waterfront Blues Festival draws a large crowd. Beginning with a bang on the 4th of July, this 4-day-long event features performances by 100-plus blues and R&B musicians.

Andrew Moreno
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Tim Acock
Photography Contributed By
Tim Acock
Drew Webster
Video By
Drew Webster

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 Nick Shivers, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Portland International

25 min drive

Bus

S Corbett & Nebraska

Bus

S Corbett & Pendleton

Bus

SW Broadway & 5th

Bus

S Macadam & Nevada

Bus

SW Barbur & Parkhill

Bus

S Corbett & Richardson

Bus

S Corbett & Gibbs

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.8 7 Reviews
4.0 Former Resident
5/26/2024 Niche Review
Portland used to be a social hub for hippies, liberals and everyone that valued peace and freedom above all. With time, people left and the city became a ghost town ruled by a deteriorating economy. While it's still one of the most green and laid back neighborhoods I've ever been to, I can't stop thinking about the prime time of this city when there were more gardens than homeless camps and more open-space concerts than weekly shootings. Yet still, I can't not love this city of weirdness.
5.0 Current Resident
9/28/2020 Niche Review
I like living in Happy Valley. We have lived in our home since 1985. When we first moved we were in Clackamas, OR. In about 2009, they changed our address to Happy Valley, 97086. I love the church we go to, Creator Lutheran Church.
Are you familiar with the South Portland neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime South Portland US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$517,500
Median Single Family Price
$665,000
Median Townhouse Price
$509,900
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$430,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$235,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$335
Number of Homes for Sale
27
Last 12 months Home Sales
96
Months of Supply
3.40
Median List Price
$540,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,682
Median Year Built
1980
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,041
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,796
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,396
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
937
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    12 - 2pm

    4970 S Landing Dr Unit 202, Portland, OR 97239

    $315,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 904 Sq Ft
    • 4970 S Landing Dr
    • Unit 202
    • New 1 day ago

    This beautifully remodeled condo offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and investment potential. Featuring two bedrooms, two full updated bathrooms and an updated kitchen, this unit is move-in-ready. Enjoy a relaxing evening in front of the wood-burning fireplace or a quiet morning on your private deck. With two deeded parking spaces (one covered) included, you'll never need to worry

    David McGrew John L. Scott Portland Central

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 3pm

    109 SW Gibbs St, Portland, OR 97239

    $449,950

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 906 Sq Ft
    • 109 SW Gibbs St
    • New 13 days ago

    Tucked away in Portland’s historic and highly coveted Lair Hill neighborhood, this 1-bedroom condo is the kind of place that doesn’t come around often. The open layout, tall ceilings, and exposed brick give it that rare mix of character and modern polish. The kitchen is sleek and functional with quartz countertops, a cook island, and just the right setup for both cooking and hanging out. There's

    Joe Fustolo Soldera Properties, Inc

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    1 - 3pm

    5036 SW View Point Terrace, Portland, OR 97239

    $795,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,049 Sq Ft
    • 5036 SW View Point Terrace

    Fantastic Views of Mt Hood and the River from this exquisite high-end luxury remodeled townhome in John's Landing! Don't let the unassuming exterior fool you; this one is a Show-Stopper! 3BD + 2.5 BA + 2-CAR OVERSIZED GARAGE + HUGE STORAGE. As you step into this end unit, the formal living and dining room feature wide-plank engineered wood floors, a gas fireplace and floor to ceiling built-ins

    Marie Conser John L. Scott

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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 Nick Shivers, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
7,055
Median Age
38
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$95,504
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$124,786

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.6%
College Graduates
77%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

82 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

76 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

57 / 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
South Portland