St. Johns

North Portland, about 7.31 miles from downtown, in Multnomah County.

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

St. Johns has 5,576 homes counted in the 2020 Census, with a median year built of 1951 and an average size of 1,241 sq ft, smaller than 95% of Portland neighborhoods. In my research I found 162 transit stops within a quarter mile, more than 85% of Portland neighborhoods, and 181 new homes permitted since January 2023. I also noted less canopy than 85% of Portland neighborhoods, at 18.5%, and Chimney Park and George Park among the green spaces.

Illustration of a residential street of detached single-family houses, built mostly in the 1950s. — Illustration

I marked St. Johns on a map of Portland drawn from the neighborhood boundaries the city publishes. Downtown is marked for reference.

At a glance

Area: 5,455 acres
Homes: 5,576 Counted in the 2020 Census, apartments and condos included
Median year built: 1951
Average home size: 1,241 sq ft Smaller than 95% of Portland neighborhoods Houses and buildings of up to 4 homes
Average lot size: 5,064 sq ft Smaller than 70% of Portland neighborhoods
Tree canopy: 18.5% Less canopy than 85% of Portland neighborhoods
Streets steeper than 8%: 0.4% of street length Flatter than 80% of Portland neighborhoods Elevation 27–154 ft
In FEMA's 100-year flood zone: 0.4% of residential lots
Within 500 ft of a freeway: None The nearest is 1.1 miles away
New homes permitted: 181 More than 80% of Portland neighborhoods Since January 2023

Share of homes: 62.4% single-family houses, 10.1% in 2–4 unit buildings, 27.5% 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.

Getting around on foot

Intersections per sq mile: 42 Fewer than 95% of Portland neighborhoods
Average block length: 349 ft Longer than 65% of Portland neighborhoods
Sidewalk coverage: 68.4% (my estimate)
Transit stops within ¼ mile: 162 More than 85% of Portland neighborhoods
Everyday categories within ½ mile: 7 Fewer than 75% of Portland neighborhoods

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

Parks and recreation

Chimney Park, George Park, Johnswood Property, Kelley Point Park, Pier Community Garden, Pier Park, St Johns Park, St Johns Racquet Center

Schools in and near this neighborhood

George Middle School 6–8 Portland SD 1J
James John Elementary School K–5 Portland SD 1J
Roosevelt High School 9–12 Portland SD 1J
Sitton Elementary School K–5 Portland SD 1J

Food, drink and daily errands

Restaurants: 21
Cafes: 4
Bars and pubs: 13
Grocery: 2
Pharmacies: 0

Restaurants and coffee I found nearby

Daydreamer Coffee & Public House Coffee · Inside the neighborhood
Rose City Taqueria Restaurant · Inside the neighborhood
Kung Food Restaurant Chinese · Inside the neighborhood
Banh Mi Up Restaurant · Inside the neighborhood Patio
Big Kahuna's BBQ & Catering Barbecue · Inside the neighborhood
Super Burrito Express Mexican · Inside the neighborhood
Havalina Restaurant · Inside the neighborhood Patio
Wonderwood Springs Coffee · Inside the neighborhood Patio
Paiku Restaurant · Inside the neighborhood
Mikasa Sushi & Ramen Restaurant · 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: $468,500
Median gross rent: $1,929
Owner-occupied: 53.3%
Renter-occupied: 46.7%

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.