What Are The Safest Neighborhoods In Portland, OR?

Portland is located in the northwest corner of Oregon near the Washington border. If you are looking to move to Portland for work, fun, or family, the area offers approximately 95 different neighborhoods to choose from. But, before you choose where to hang your hat, it’s essential to consider the safest neighborhoods in Portland.

The safest neighborhoods in Portland are West Slope, Wildwood, Historic Milwaukie, and Old Evergreen Highway. Some of these neighborhoods feature a crime rate well below the national average. Other safe Portland neighborhoods are Lake Road, Linwood, and Hector Campbell. Annually, Portland experiences 520 violent crimes per every 100,000 residents.

Portland has plenty to offer, but the city overall has a crime rate that is above the national average. Since safety is of the utmost importance when moving to a new city, you want to be sure you are making an informed decision. Therefore, check out the top 7 safe cities in Portland when deciding where to live.

Portland is nicknamed “Bridge City” due to the 12 bridges that rise over the Williamette River that runs adjacent to downtown. Portland offers ample outdoor activities to enjoy including the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Washington Park, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Williamette Valley, Forest Park, and the Oregon Zoo.

With a population of 654,741, Portland is just an hour and a half drive from the beach for a convenient day trip to the ocean, and also just a short drive from the mountains for hiking and mountain biking.

There is also a great restaurant and coffee scene in the city, most notably Stumptown Coffee Roasters. There is no sales tax in Oregon which is a desirable trait of moving to the Portland area. Another nickname for Portland is the “City of Roses” and there are many gardens dedicated to the flower throughout the city.

Portland’s crime rates are above the national average, though it is still considered a relatively safe city. The total crime rate is 131% above the national average, the violent crime rate is 44% above the national average, and property crime is 147% above the national average.

While crime rates are high in some areas, there are ample safe neighborhoods in Portland that offer very low crime rates, most in the north and south suburban regions surrounding the city. These communities have the lowest number of crimes per 100K people, making our list of the safest neighborhoods in Portland:

The West Slope neighborhood has a population of approximately 2,207, and the neighborhood is located 5.9 miles west of Portland off of highway 26. The median home value is $530,800 and the median rent is $1,170. It is a suburban neighborhood ranked by Niche.com as the third-best suburb for young professionals in Oregon.

The median household income in the area is $77,105, which is significantly higher than the national average. The public schools are highly ranked, and the area is also close to the town of Beaverton that offers ample shopping and restaurants. The Oregon Zoo and Portland Golf Club are also nearby, as well as Portland Escape Rooms for family and group activities.

The total crime rate in this area is 65% below the national average, the property crime rate is 62% below the national average, and the violent crime rate is 77% below the national average based on statistics released by the FBI in September of 2020.

The Wildwood neighborhood is located just across the Columbia River from north Portland in Vancouver, Washington with a population of 896. The median home value is $349,373 and the median rent is $1,403. Most residents own their homes in this neighborhood.

The area boasts many businesses and parks and is very close to the Vancouver Tech Campus. The total crime rate in the area is 69% below the national average, the violent crime rate is 65% below the national average, and the property crime rate is 70% below the national average.

Historic Milwaukie is located south of Portland on the Williamette River. The population of this area is 1,584. While the area is ranked highly in amenities and offers a low crime rate, according to Areavibes.com the neighborhood received a D+ or lower in employment, housing, and cost of living; and a C in surrounding schools.

The historic downtown offers many boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. There is also a farmer’s market downtown each Sunday. The total crime rate in the area is 51% below the national average, the violent crime rate is 67% below the national average, and the property crime rate is 49% below the national average.

Old Evergreen Highway is also located across the Columbia River from Portland in Vancouver, Washington. The area is home to many retirees with a total population of 2,798. There are ample coffee shops and parks to enjoy, as well as stunning riverfront properties and parks that make the area desirable.

The schools, nightlife, and housing are rated above average. The total crime rate in the area is 34% below the national average, the violent crime rate is 80% below the national average, and the property crime rate is 26% below the national average.

Lake Road is another safe neighborhood located in Milwaukie, Oregon, just 7.3 miles south of Portland. The neighborhood boasts 2,484 residents. This area is just a short drive to both Historic Milwaukie and Portland for a convenient commute.

The median list price for homes in Lake Road according to Redfin is $650,000 and the median price per square foot list price is $259/SF. The median sale price however is $485,000. Housing, schools, cost of living, and employment were ranked below average in this neighborhood.

The total crime rate in the area is 38% below the national average, the violent crime rate is 58% below the national average, and the property crime rate is 35% below the national average.

Just 7.1 miles from the city center, the Linwood neighborhood is home to 3,976 residents. This neighborhood is also in the Milwaukie area, so you are surrounded by many other safe communities as well.

Linwood is on the east side of Milwaukie with a median home price of $345,890 and a median rent price of $1,940, which is more expensive than the average sale and rent price throughout the state.

The total crime rate in the area is 35% below the national average, the violent crime rate is 55% below the national average, and the property crime rate is 31% below the national average.

With a population of 2,832 residents, the Hector Campbell neighborhood is just 6.8 miles from Portland’s city center. The neighborhood has good scores in both biking and walkability.

According to Redfin, the median list price is $470,000, and the median sale price is $485,000 in this area. The neighborhood offers a community feel with several events hosted by the NDA.

The total crime rate in the area is 34% below the national average, the violent crime rate is 55% below the national average, and the property crime rate is 30% below the national average.

Related Questions

What are some of the most dangerous areas of Portland?

When visiting Portland, it’s best to avoid Sunderland, Centennial, Powellhurst, Lents, and Bridgeton. These areas have between 40 and 55% more crime than the rest of Portland.Sunderland’s violent crime rate is 109% higher than the national average and the property crime rate is 275% higher. Other Portland areas that are not considered safe are Mill park, Parkrose, Hazelwood, Old-Town Chinatown, and Brentwood-Darlington.

What is the most popular area in Portland to visit?

Eastmoreland is one of the most popular areas in Portland for visitors and residents. It’s a safe area and also home to many attractions, including the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It also features Oaks Amusement Park, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, and Westmoreland Park Nature Playground.There are also great eateries nearby and a quiet, family atmosphere, with a population of roughly 4,056. The crime in Eastmoreland is about 66% less than in other Oregon cities.