Guide to the Concordia Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Concordia is a neighborhood in the Northeast section of Portland. Neighborhoods bordering Concordia are Woodlawn, Vernon, and Sabin on the west, Sunderland on the north, Cully on the east, and Alameda and Beaumont-Wilshire on the south. Most of the Alberta Street Arts District is in the Concordia neighborhood.

If you like diversity, funky, and art, you’ll love Concordia. Park your car and start walking along NE Alberta Street from NE 33rd Avenue heading west. Stop and browse at some of the dozen or so art galleries along the way. Note the complete absence of national chains and fast food outlets. When you get thirsty and hungry, stop off for lunch at one of the eating establishments along the street.

Now that you have seen Concordia, you will realize that this was a neighborhood in transition, and it has turned the corner. You can find lots of historic homes (especially on the east side of the neighborhood boundary) that need some TLC.

New Seasons Market at Concordia has been recognized as a national business model for New Seasons approach to opening a business with the community’s best interest in mind. When Portland’s Concordia neighborhood voiced their need for a grocery store in 2000, New Seasons jumped at the chance, while other retailers second-guessed the store’s location. New Seasons Market established relationships across cross-cultural barriers, attended neighborhood meetings and responded to the neighborhood’s priorities. It’s a store that’s clean, friendly, and a pleasure to shop at. Try their Rocky natural chickens or the Oregon Beef. But the best is their Pacific Coast fish, always fresh and wild.

Here are some excerpts from an article in the Portland Tribune written in December 2015 by Jim Redden that document the changes to Alberta Street over the years:

Vast improvements have occurred along Alberta Street in the past 23 years: Renovation of older homes and buildings, around 140 new businesses, a big increase in property values, and a sharp drop in crime. But many of the earlier residents and business owners are not there to enjoy the benefits. They have been displaced due to the rising property values and rents.

Public school enrollment has been cut nearly in half, with African-American, Native American and Asian students being increasingly replaced by whites and Hispanics. And only five of the 17 churches in the area remain unchanged in name and location.

The changes are documented in two unique studies of the 186-block area around Alberta and Northeast 15th Avenue. The first was conducted in 1992 and the second was completed a short time ago. Both recorded the conditions in the area using the same method — local, young African-Americans hired to walk the area, interview residents and business owners, photograph houses and commercial properties, and research demographic, education, real estate, law enforcement and other information about it.

Both studies were organized by Grice and Bob Zybach, a forest scientist who lived in Portland in the 1960s and now lives in Cottage Grove. The recent study compares the situation in 1992 with the area today. It provides a detailed look at the effects of gentrification, the changes that occur when investment occurs in lower-income areas.

Community News Coverage

The Concordia News newspaper is a free, self-supporting, volunteer, monthly publication of the Concordia Neighborhood Association. It is without doubt one of best, if not the best, publication of any Portland neighborhoods. If you considering purchasing a home in Concordia, you will want a subscription. Contact The Concordia News at P.O. Box 11194, Portland, Oregon 97211 or Jeff Hilber at [email protected]

The Portland Sentinel covers news for North Portland neighborhoods as well as those Northeast Portland neighborhoods along the boundary between the two areas such as Concordia, Eliot, King, and Piedmont.

Alberta Street

Funky galleries, independently owned boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants and all located in one of Portland’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods, with many African-American and Latino-owned businesses. That’s Alberta Street. Alberta Street has many renovated retail storefronts that are mixed in with older businesses that have been there for years. Just a few years ago, you would be viewing many boarded up windows but today fresh paint and stylish logos are the norms.

Go virtual shopping on Alberta Street by visiting all the business and service establishments on NE Alberta Street.

For more than a decade, Art on Alberta (AoA) has been a fixture in the community, providing education and outreach to a wide-ranging audience to foster understanding and appreciation of all forms of art. AoA’s mission is to promote the Alberta Art District’s distinct cultural identity through art and educational activities. They have sponsored a “Last Thursday” on Alberta Street since 1997. 

During Northeast Alberta Street’s Last Thursday, the art openings at spaces like the Guardino Gallery set the scene for a boisterous street fair that attracts independent artists and performers, from local bands to troupes of acrobats. Held year-round, the event is biggest from May through September, when the street is closed to traffic during the festivities. Most of the galleries are open until 9:30 p.m. on Last Thursday.

History of Concordia

In the late 90s, the Alberta Street community was engaged in a planning process to make the street a better place to walk, ride a bike and use transit, while maintaining automobile access and parking. The plan was adopted by Portland’s City Council in February 2000. Construction began in April 2002 and was completed in late summer 2003. The project built improvements between NE Martin Luther King Jr. and NE 33rd Avenue, including curb extensions at transit stops and key crossings, school crossing improvements, new ornamental street lighting and traffic signals, street trees, and public art.

How the Neighborhood Got Its Name

This neighborhood is the home of Concordia University, a Lutheran liberal arts school.

Schools in the Concordia Neighborhood

Find your school attendance area or a school site and view the boundary area using School Locator. Read how to use the interactive map by clicking on the “Information” icon (circle with an “i” in the center).

• Schools in the Neighborhood  A list of public and private schools in the Concordia neighborhood.
• Public Schools in the Neighborhood  Elementary and Middle: Faubion K-8 and Vernon K-8. High school: Jefferson High School and Madison High School.
• School Report Cards  Report Cards for schools and districts in Oregon. Select “Portland SD 1J” to view individual schools within the Portland Public School District. 

Concordia Home Styles

This neighborhood has many historic homes, especially on the east side of the neighborhood which borders the Alameda neighborhood. It also has a few ranch homes. Most of the homes are small (under 1600 square feet) and on lots just under 5,000 to 7,000 square feet.

Portland Monthly Magazine Guide to Neighborhoods

In their April issue every year, the Portland Monthly Magazine features the past year home prices along with other information about Portland neighborhoods and suburban communities. To read the magazine’s latest stories and numbers visit the Real Estate section. 

The numbers on the website and printed magazine are divided into four sections (real estate, people, crime, and lifestyle) on each of the Portland 90 plus neighborhoods as well as about 25 suburban communities. The website offers over 50 items of information about each Portland neighborhood and suburban community.  

The magazine added a feature on their website for homes sold in 2014 and it’s also available for homes sold in 2015 — an interactive map where you can click on a neighborhood and a pop-up displays five items (1-year median price change, 5-year median price change, median gross rent, walkability score and percent of newcomer) for a Portland neighborhood as well as a suburban community. Note the detailed numbers for each of the four sections for homes sold in 2015 are displayed below the map.   

To visit the magazine’s website latest stories and numbers visit their Real Estate section — click on “Neighborhoods” to view the numbers for the Portland neighborhoods and click on “Suburbs” for the numbers on communities in the metro area. Note the detailed numbers for each of the four sections for homes sold in 2014 and 2015 are displayed below the map. To access the Portland neighborhoods and metro communities demographic data and home prices by year: 

• 2013 Demographics and Home Prices
• 2014 Demographics and Home Prices
• 2015 Demographics and Home Prices

Concordia Demographics  Below is some facts about the neighborhood gleaned from the magazine’s website. A few numbers can tell much about the character of a neighborhood.

• Average year homes built in the neighborhood:  1949
• Percent of residents below poverty level:  11%
• Percent of  neighborhood land area that is in parks:  3%
• Percent of residents that live within a 1/2 mile of a park:  85%
• Percent of residents that commute by bike or walking:  11.3%

¹Concordia Home Prices:  2007-2014

• Number of Homes Sold in Concordia—► 213 homes sold in 2015 and 2.8% were distressed sales. 192 homes sold in 2014 and 2% were distressed sales. 211 homes sold in 2013 and 4% were distressed sales. 169 homes were sold in 2012 and 15% were distressed sales. 117 homes sold in 2011 and 25% were distress sales. 138 homes sold in 2010 and distressed properties sales were 12%.
• Median Price for Homes Sold in Concordia—►  $417,000 in 2015, $380,000 in 2014, $358,000 in 2013, $314,000 in 2012, $268,000 in 2011, $286,533 in 2010, $285,000 in 2009, $299,900 in 2008; and $340,300 in 2007.
• Average Cost per Square Foot—►  $212 in 2015, $187 in 2014.
• 1-Year Median Sales Price Change in Concordia—►  9.7% sales price change in 2015, in 2014 the sales price change was 6%, in 2013 the sales price change was 14%, in 2012 the sales price change was 17%, in 2011 the sales price change was -6%, and in 2010 the sales price change was 0%.
• 5-Year Median Sales Price Change in Concordia—►  55.6% sales price change for years 2011-2015. 2010 to 2014 the sales price change was 27%. 2009 to 2013 the sales price change was 19%. 2008 to 2012 the sales price change was 5%. 2007 to 2011 the sales price change was -21%. 2006 to 2010 the sales change was -1%.
• Portland Metro Area Median Home Price—► $308,000 in 2015, $285,500 in 2014, $310,600 in 2013, $235,000 in 2012, $221,000 in 2011, $239,900 in 2010, $247,000 in 2009, $278,000 in 2008, and $290,000 in 2007.
• Portland Metro Area Average Home Price—►$354,500 in 2015, $333,000 in 2014, $265,000 in 2013, $275,000 in 2012, $263,300 in 2011, $282,100 in 2010, $289,900 in 2009, $330,300 in 2008, and $342,000 in 2007.

Please be aware that the above figures are subject to error and are intended as guidelines only. Visit the Portland Monthly Magazine website for an in-depth analysis of home prices in the Portland metro area.

Find a Home in the Concordia Neighborhood

• Homes for Sale in the Concordia Neighborhood — View on all devices except Apple^® mobile devices. To view homes for sale in the Concordia neighborhood on Apple^® mobile devices key in “Concordia” in the “Location” field and click on the “Search Now” icon.
• Displays Homes for Sale in the Concordia Neighborhood — View on all devices. Photos of home displayed along with detailed description of the property.  
• Search for Homes — Search on all devices. Map-based on devices configured with Adobe Flash and Javascript and text-based on any device.

Homes for Sale in Concordia

Parks in the Neighborhood

Fernhill Park, located at NE 37th and Ainsworth, is a 24.15-acre park. The park includes softball, baseball, football, and soccer fields, two tennis courts, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, playground, wading pool, picnic tables, and restrooms. There’s no better way to spend a summer evening than gathering with friends and family in Fernhill Park for music, dancing and family fun. The Fernhill Concert Series has been an unqualified success, offering high-quality entertainment to the neighborhood with five free concerts.
Another park on the west border of Concordia is the 16.70 acre Alberta Park (adjacent to Vernon Elementary School). Alberta Park includes softball and football/soccer fields, basketball court (covered), two tennis courts, playground, wading pool, picnic tables, trails, and restrooms.

Concordia has 29 acres of park land and open spaces according to Metro and the Portland Department of Parks and Recreation.

Walking in Concordia

Alberta Street runs through the center of the neighborhood, and it is an excellent place to walk with its many art galleries and retail storefronts. It also has many restaurants and coffee shops. The small shops lining Alberta Street highlight handmade local designer clothing, imported gifts, and the Alberta art galleries and shops showcase some fine local work. 

Walk Score helps you find a walkable place to live. Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of any address. Portland is the 14th most walkable city in the U.S. with a Walk Score of 63, a Transit Score of 50 and a Bike Score of 72. There are over 3,000 restaurants and coffee shops in Portland. People in Portland can walk to an average of five restaurants and coffee shops in five minutes.

The Walk Score for the Concordia neighborhood is 74, the Transit Score is 50, and the Bike Score is 85.

More About Concordia

Learn more about the Concordia Neighborhood by visiting Portland Maps. The site provides information about businesses, demographic data, crime stats, parks, schools, aerial photos, maps, elevation, and more for the neighborhood. All you need is a property address — use “6100 NE 30TH Avenue” or an address of your choice.

• Neighborhood Association Website  Concordia Neighborhood Association.
• Location  Head north in I-5. Take the Highway 30/Lombard Street exit and head off to your right which is east. When you arrive at NE 22nd Avenue, look right, and you’re in Concordia.
• Boundaries of Concordia  North: NE Columbia Blvd. South: NE Prescott Street/NE Alberta Street. East: NE 42nd Avenue. West: NE 22nd Avenue. Excluded from the neighborhood is the small area surrounded by NE Alberta Court on the north to NE Prescott on the south and NE 42nd Avenue on the east and NE 33rd Avenue on the west.
• Map of Boundaries   Concordia
• Topography  Flat with a traditional grid pattern of blocks. A good quantity of mature trees but it could use more.
• Sidewalks and Streets  The street pattern is a grid with sidewalks for walking.
• ²Drive Time to Downtown  15-16 minutes by car.
• Public Transportation  Concordia does not have access to MAX light rail or the streetcar line. It does have four bus routes in the neighborhood. See TriMet for schedules. Transit Score provides a 0-100 rating indicating how well an address is served by public transportation. Ratings range from “Rider’s Paradises” to areas with limited or no nearby public transportation.
• Commuting  7.1% of the neighborhood residents commute using public transportation, 8.6% by biking, and 2.7% walk.
• ³Census 2010 Demographics  Population: 9,550 people. Area size in acres: 853. Average population density: 11 persons per acre. Number of households: 4,001. Average size of household: 2.39 persons. Median household income: $68,768. Families with children: 20.3%. Home owners: 70.7%. Renters: 29.3%. Diversity: 27.7% non-Caucasian. More census data about Concordia at Portland Online and City Data.
• ⁴Crime Stats  There were 321 property crimes  (assault, arson, burglary, larceny, robbery, theft from auto, vehicle theft) in 2014. There were 16 violent crimes (aggravated assault, homicide, robbery, rape) committed in 2014. There were 35 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2014. For the latest crime statistics and historical data for the Concordia neighborhood, visit the Portland Police Bureau website.
• ⁵Shopping and Services  Number of supermarkets: 1. Number of health clubs: 1. Number of coffee shops: 1. At NE 33rd Avenue between NE Killingworth and NE Alberta, sits one of the Portland area’s locally owned food markets, Concordia New Seasons Market. Just a few blocks west of the Concordia border is a co-op food market located at 15th and NE Alberta. Read the Alberta Street Shopping Guide and map by clicking here.
• Eating Out  NE Alberta Street has interesting restaurants and coffee shops and more are appearing every few months. The main attraction of the Concordia neighborhood would have to be the Kennedy School (5835 NE 42nd Avenue), where local beer, a movie theater, hotel rooms, a restaurant, a hot soaking pool and a music venue all come together under one large McMenamin’s-owned roof. The building is an old elementary school that has been renovated to fit the needs of the public. Another popular spot is the Concordia Ale House (3276 NE Killingsworth Street), where you can always find an impressive rotating list of tap microbrews. Travel and Leisure Magazine in 2010 named Random Order Coffeehouse & Bakery‘s vanilla salted caramel apple pie as one of the best in the nation. Visit Yelp for a list of the neighborhood restaurants.
• Public Library  The closest branch library of the Multnomah County Library system is the Hollywood at 4040 N.E. Tillamook Street.
• Who Lives in Concordia  Blue collar, gray collar, and white collars are increasing. Todd Haynes, filmmaker (2003 Oscar nominee for “Far from Heaven” purchased a home in Concordia in 2000. The median age of residents is 35.6 according to Census 2010.
• Autos in the Neighborhood  Buicks, Olds, and pickups. Toyotas and Subarus are increasing.
• ⁶Biking  Quality if fair. Concordia has 4.3 miles of bike lanes.

Map of the Concordia Neighborhood

___________________________________

¹Real Estate Values  Data on real estate values provided by RMLS^tm. Distressed properties refer to the percentage of total homes sold that were short sales and bank-owned properties. The One Year Median Sale Price Percent Change is based on a comparison of the rolling average sale price for the last 12 months with the 12 months before — this is an example for 2014:  (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014) with 12 months before (1/1/2013 – 12/31/2015). The Five Year Median Sales Price Percent Change is calculated the same way using a five-year time span.
²Drive Time to Downtown  Estimated commuting time obtained from Yahoo Maps and Google Maps. Drive time was calculated from a central intersection in each neighborhood to Pioneer Courthouse Square during the morning peak commute time.
³Demographics Data   Numbers were obtained from Census 2010 and www.portlandmaps.com.
⁴Crime Statistics  Numbers on crime were obtained from the Portland Police Bureau.  The Uniform Crime Reports documents crimes in three categories: Part I, Part II-A, and Part II-B. Part I crimes are classified as either violent or property crimes. Aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder, and robbery are classified as violent while arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft are classified as property crimes. Part II-A crimes are drugs, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, prostitution, sex offenses, simple assault, stolen property, vandalism, and weapons. Crimes per 1,000 figures are based on reported incidents of violent crime as well as larceny, burglary, and vehicle theft. For the latest crime statistics and historical data for the Portland neighborhoods, visit the Portland Police Bureau website.
⁵Shopping and Services  Numbers were determined from local directory listings and county/municipal library systems.
⁶Biking  Quality  Rating based on the 2007 Cycle Zone Analysis conducted by the City of Portland Office of Transportation. The six-tier ratings have been reduced to three levels: High, Fair, and Low.