Overlook

North Portland, about 3.25 miles from downtown, in Multnomah County.

Researched and written by Ryan Rose · Updated October 29, 2026

Among the Portland neighborhoods I compared, Overlook has a median build year of 1923, older than 80% of them, and 131 transit stops within a quarter mile, more than 80% of them. In the city's historic resource survey, which recorded some homes and not every one, Bungalow is the most common style at 35%. I also found Madrona Park and Beach Community Garden inside the boundaries. Tree canopy is 16%, and I'd weigh that plainly.

Illustration of a residential street of detached single-family houses in the Bungalow, Queen Anne Vernacular and American Basic styles.
Illustration
Downtown Overlook 2 mi N ↑
I marked Overlook on a map of Portland drawn from the neighborhood boundaries the city publishes. Downtown is marked for reference.

At a glance

Area
1,645 acres
Homes
3,720 Counted in the 2020 Census, apartments and condos included
Median year built
1923 Older than 80% of Portland neighborhoods
Average home size
1,545 sq ft Houses and buildings of up to 4 homes
Average lot size
5,248 sq ft Smaller than 60% of Portland neighborhoods
Tree canopy
16% Less canopy than 95% of Portland neighborhoods
Streets steeper than 8%
0.6% of street length Flatter than 70% of Portland neighborhoods Elevation 30–213 ft
In FEMA's 100-year flood zone
None
Within 500 ft of a freeway
10.0% of residential lots
New homes permitted
188 More than 80% of Portland neighborhoods Since January 2023

Share of homes: 51.9% single-family houses, 13.7% in 2–4 unit buildings, 34.5% in apartment, condo and other multi-home properties

I compared each figure with the 86 other Portland neighborhoods I have researched that have at least 100 residential parcels.

Architecture

Bungalow
35% of surveyed homes
Queen Anne Vernacular
13% of surveyed homes
American Basic
13% of surveyed homes

I took these styles from the 54 homes recorded in the City of Portland Historic Resource Inventory (1984). It surveyed significant buildings, not every home.

Getting around on foot

Intersections per sq mile
94 Fewer than 80% of Portland neighborhoods
Average block length
334 ft
Sidewalk coverage
65.7% (my estimate)
Transit stops within ¼ mile
131 More than 80% of Portland neighborhoods
Everyday categories within ½ mile
8

I compared each figure with the 86 other Portland neighborhoods I have researched that have at least 100 residential parcels.

Parks and recreation

Beach Community Garden, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, Madrona Park, Mocks Crest Property, N Swan Island Boat Ramp, Overlook House Community Center, Overlook Park, Patton Square Park, Waud Bluff Trail

Schools in and near this neighborhood

  • Beach Elementary School PK–5 Portland SD 1J
  • The Ivy School PK–8 Oregon Department of Education
  • Ockley Green Middle School 6–8 Portland SD 1J
  • SHINING STAR WALDORF SCHOOL
  • ROSEMARY ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL/PORTLAND OIC
  • Boise-Eliot Elementary School PK–5 Portland SD 1J
  • Jefferson High School 9–12 Portland SD 1J
  • CHILDPEACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
  • Chief Joseph Elementary School K–5 Portland SD 1J
  • HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
  • Harriet Tubman Middle School 6–8 Portland SD 1J

Food, drink and daily errands

Restaurants
11
Cafes
7
Bars and pubs
8
Grocery
0
Pharmacies
0

Restaurants and coffee I found nearby

  • La Bonita Mexican · Inside the neighborhood
  • Blend Coffee Coffee · Inside the neighborhood
  • O Cha Thai Cuisine Thai · Inside the neighborhood
  • Mio Sushi Sushi · Inside the neighborhood
  • Anna's Island Cafe Coffee · Inside the neighborhood
  • Namaste Oregon Indian · Inside the neighborhood
  • Spitz Restaurant · Inside the neighborhood Patio
  • Madrona Hill Café Coffee · Inside the neighborhood Patio
  • Mocks Bottom Cafe Cafe · Inside the neighborhood
  • Gonzalez Taqueria Mexican · Inside the neighborhood

I pulled these from OpenStreetMap: the nearest named restaurants and cafes, starting inside the neighborhood and measured from its edge. Places marked Patio have outdoor seating, from my research for Outdoor Seating Near Me, my other site; the photos come from that research too.

Housing context

Median home value
$580,600
Median gross rent
$1,743
Owner-occupied
50.6%
Renter-occupied
49.4%

I pulled these from the census tract that covers this neighborhood, so they describe the tract, not the neighborhood itself. I report housing and housing cost only.

Bordering neighborhoods