Guide to the Rose City Park Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Rose City Park is a neighborhood (and the location of a park with the same name) in Northeast Portland. It borders Beaumont-Wilshire and the Hollywood District on the west (at NE 47th Avenue), Cully on the north (at NE Fremont Street), Roseway and Madison South on the east (at NE 65th Avenue), and Center on the south (at the Banfield Expressway and MAX transit line).

The neighborhood is also located next to the Rose City Golf course, the second oldest municipal course in the city of Portland. Built in 1923, the course is a classic, tree-lined course that is both playable and challenging for players at all levels. Built in 1932, the clubhouse at Rose City is a beautiful, brick building with steep pitched roofs. The clubhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. The grill area serves breakfast and lunch along with snacks.

In July 2008, Forbes Magazine named Rose City Park the ninth most overpriced neighborhood in the country. This was based on a price-to-earnings spread comparing rental costs with buying costs for similar properties, based on the number of bedrooms, location, and price per square foot. A neighborhood with a high price-to-earnings spread is considered overvalued because a buyer is getting a low return based on costs and paying a huge premium to live in area relative to how much it would cost to rent a similar property there.

That may discourage you from buying a home in Rose City Park but if you look at some numbers you may change your mind. The 5-year median sales price change from 2008 to 2012 was just -1%. The time period was a period of declining house values in the Portland metro area housing market but Rose City Park homes held their value well.

History of Rose City Park

washington_rosecityparkThe neighborhood was platted in 1907, the year of the first Portland Rose Festival. Trolley service from Downtown Portland was inaugurated that year by the Portland Railway, Light & Power Co., and discontinued November 30, 1936.

Beginning in March 1946, Nabisco proposed building a large factory on 24 acres in the Rose City Park neighborhood, choosing the location for proximity of workers and access to the rail line. The city council approved the zoning change on June 5, 1947, but by June 26, 1947 Nabisco abandoned the project, building a plant at the northern edge of the Piedmont neighborhood on Columbia Boulevard. The plant was completed in August 1950.

A statue of George Washington was commissioned by Henry Waldo Coe and sculpted by Pompeo Coppini, and dedicated on July 4, 1927. It stands at 57th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, in the center of the neighborhood.

Origin of the Name Rose City Park

Which was named first, the Rose City Park or the Rose City Park neighborhood? Since the neighborhood was platted in 1907 along with many other neighborhoods at the same time and the park was officially acquired in 1920, the neighborhood name wins.

As a side note, it wasn’t until June 18, 2003, when the Portland city council unanimously approved a resolution adopting “City of Roses” as the city’s official nickname. This nickname likely inspired the name for the four-year-old female Asian elephant who arrived in 1953 at the Oregon Zoo, Rosy. The first elephant ever to live in Oregon, she remained the matriarch of the Oregon Zoo’s herd and gave birth to six calves before her death in 1993. On August 31, 1994, her daughter Me-Tu became the first elephant in North America to have twins. On August 23, 2008, her granddaughter Rose-Tu (the surviving twin) gave birth to Samudra, the first third-generation elephant born in the United States.

Schools in the Rose City Park 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 Rose City Park neighborhood.
  • Public Schools in the Neighborhood  Elementary and Middle: Roseway Heights K-8. High school: 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. 

Rose City Park Home Styles

Homes styles include modern bungalows along with those built in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. English cottages and classic ranches are mixed in with a few town houses. Many homes offer views of the park and golf course.

Portland Monthly Magazine Guide to Neighborhoods

PDXMonthlyMag_April2014In 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 the 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. There is more data online than in the printed magazine. 

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: 

Rose Park City Demographics  Below are 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:  1917
  • Percent of residents below poverty level:  8.8%
  • 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:  7.3%

    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 the 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.  

1Rose City Park Home Prices:  2007-2015

  • Number of Homes Sold in Rose CIty Park—►  161 homes were sold in 2015 and there were no distressed sales. 190 homes were sold in 2014 and 2% were distressed sales. 194 homes were sold in 2013 and 4% were distressed sales. 166 homes were sold in 2012 and 10% were distressed sales. 130 homes were sold in 2011 and p% were distressed sales. In 2010 there were 105 homes sold and 6% distressed property sales.
  • Median Price for Homes Sold in Rose City Park—►  $456,000 in 2015, $420,500 in 2014, $382,500 in 2013, $348,125 in 2012, $319,418 in 2011, $355,000 in 2010, $342,000 in 2009, and $366,000 in 2007.
  • Average Cost per Square Foot—►  $205 in 2015, $190 in 2014.
  • 1-Year Median Sales Price Change in Rose City Park—►  8.6% sales price change in 2015. In 2014 the sales price change was 10%, in 2013 the sales price change was 10%, in 2012 the sales price change was 9%, in 2011 the sales price change was -9%, in 2010 the sales price change was 4%, and in 2009 the change was -6%.
  • 5-Year Median Sales Price Change in Rose City Park—►  42.9% sales price change for the years 2011-2015. 2010 to 2014 the sales price change was 20%. 2009 to 2013 the sales price change was 9%. 2008 to 2012 the sales price change was -1%. 2007 to 2011 the sales price change was -12%. 2006 to 2010 the change was 0%. 2005 to 2009 the change was 10%.
  • Portland Metro Area Median Home Price—►  $308,000 in 2015, $285,500 in 2014, $265,000 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, $310,600 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. 

Find a Home in the Rose City Park Neighborhood

Homes for Sale in Rose City Park

Parks in the Neighborhood

Here are three parks in the Rose City Park neighborhood:

  • Rose City Park is located on the neighborhood east border. The park includes a play area, access restroom, paths, paved paths, picnic tables, playground, soccer field, softball field, and lighted tennis courts.
  • Frazer Park is located at NE 52nd and Hassalo Street. The 3.9-acre park includes a basketball court, dog off-leash area, picnic tables, and playground.
  • Normandale Park is located at NE 57th and Halsey Street. The 14.39-acre park includes a basketball court, disabled access play area, disabled access restroom, fenced dog off-leash area, football field, paved and unpaved , paths, picnic shelter, picnic site, picnic tables, playground, soccer field, softball field, and volleyball court.

In 2009, the Rose City Park Neighborhood Association (RCPNA) identified Frazer Park as a location to build a community garden. In 2011, Portland Community Gardens Program, Friends of Portland Community Gardens, RCPNA, and Depave worked together to remove asphalt and start construction of the new garden.

A grant, submitted by the Friends of Portland Community Gardens, included the following partners: Portland Community Gardens Program, Friends of Portland Community Gardens, Depave, RCPNA, Albina, Head Start, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Funds for a portion of the cost were provided by a grant from the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and a gift from the Portland Parks Foundation.

The Matt Dishman Community Center is located at 77 NE Knott Street (about 1.5 miles from Rose City Park’s east border) and includes a basketball court, fitness room, gymnasium, party room, an indoor swimming pool, and weight room.

The Montavilla Community Center is located at 8219 NE Glisan (about ) and it includes an indoor basketball court, community center, gymnasium, kitchen, meeting room, and party room. All are reservable.

Walking in Rose City Park

The Hollywood neighborhood is located next to the Rose City Park neighborhood in the southwest. This short walk through the Hollywood neighborhood offers enough places to stop, shop, and eat that it can take all day. Centered on Sandy Boulevard, the route explores buildings from this popular, close-in neighborhood’s early days to its newest additions. Click Hollywood for the guide. 

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 Rose City Park neighborhood is 72, the Transit Score is 56, and the Bike Score is 86. 

Rose City Park

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

72

out of 100

Rose City Park is the 34th most walkable neighborhood in Portland.

Find Rose City Park apartments on Walk Score

More About Rose City Park

Learn more about the Rose City Park neighborhood by visiting Portland Maps. The site provides information about businesses, demographic data, crime stats, parks, schools, aerial photos, maps, elevation, hazards, and more for the neighborhood. All you need is a property address – use “2020 NE 57th Avenue” or an address of your choice.

  • Neighborhood Association Website  Click here to access the Rose City Park neighborhood website.
  • Location  From downtown cross over the Willamette River on the Burnside Bridge and head east until you reach the traffic light for the turnoff to NE Sandy which will take you to the heart of the Rose City Park neighborhood. If you want to take the Interstate (I-84) from downtown, the best place to exit the freeway is Cesar Chavez Boulevard (exit 2).
  • Rose City Park Boundaries  North – NE Fremont. South – I-84. East – NE 65th Avenue. West – NE 7th Avenue.
  • Map of Rose City Park Boundaries  Rose City Park.
  • Topography  Flat with grid streets. Mature trees and wooded parks.
  • Sidewalks and Streets The street pattern is a grid and walking is on the neighborhood sidewalks is easy.
  • 2Drive Time to Downtown 13-15 minutes by car.
  • Public Transportation  TriMet has four bus routes in Rose City Park and three MAX light rail lines. The NE 60th Ave station on the Blue Line, Green Line, and Red Line of the MAX light rail system is on the south boundary (I-84 freeway) of the neighborhood. 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  11.8% of the neighborhood residents used public transportation, 5.4% by bike, and 1.9% walk.
  • 3Census 2010 Demographics  Population: 8,982 people. Area (acres): 748. Average population density: 12 persons per acre. Number of households: 3,865. Average size of household: 2.32 persons. Median household income: $64,085. Families with children: 27.0%. Homeowners: 72.7%. Renters 27.3%. Diversity: 13.2% non-Caucasian. More demographic data for Rose City Park at Portland Online and at City Data.
  • 4Crime Stats  There were 209 property crimes  (assault, arson, burglary, larceny, robbery, theft from auto, vehicle theft) in 2014. There were 14 violent crimes (aggravated assault, homicide, robbery, rape) committed in 2014. There were 24 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2014. For the latest crime statistics and historical data for the Rose City Park neighborhood, visit the Portland Police Bureau website.
  • 5Shopping and Services  Rose City Park has a few commercial business in the neighborhood but it lacks restaurants and food market. However, within a few blocks outside of the neighborhood boundaries, you will find  restaurants and food markets.
  • Eating Out  If you like Vietnamese food you’re in luck as there are a number of restaurants along NE Sandy. At the north boundary of the neighborhood along NE Fremont Street, you will find an array of different foods. Visit Willamette Weeks’ Restaurant Guide by Neighborhood for a list of eating places in Rose City Park.
  • Public Library  The closest branch library of the Multnomah County Library system is the Hollywood at 4040 Northeast Tillamook Street.
  • Who Lives in Rose City Park The people in the neighborhood are stable as the demographics have changed very little between the census in 2000 and 2010. The 2010 census reported fewer residents over the age of 70 and but a large increase in the 55 to 69 age group from the 2000 census. The median age of a Rose City Park resident is 39.7 — a jump of two years since 2000 according to Census 2010.
  • Autos in the Neighborhood The United Nations of vehicles. You’re bound to see one of just about every make and model.
  • 6Biking Quality is fair. Rose City Park has 5.2 miles of bike lanes.

Map of the Rose City Park Neighborhood

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1Real Estate Values  Data on real estate values provided by RMLStm. 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 in the same way using a five -ear 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. To view 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.