Madison South

Northeast Portland, about 5.44 miles from downtown, in Multnomah County.

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

Transit stops within a quarter mile number 177 in Madison South, more than in 90% of Portland neighborhoods, and that figure is what first set it apart in my notes. Tree canopy covers 32.4%, more than 65% of the city's neighborhoods, and Hancock Park and Joseph Wood Hill Park sit inside its borders. The trade-offs I recorded are an estimated 48.2% sidewalk coverage and average blocks of 377 ft, longer than in 80% of neighborhoods.

Illustration of a residential street of detached single-family houses, built mostly in the 1940s.
Illustration
Downtown Madison South 2 mi N ↑
I marked Madison South on a map of Portland drawn from the neighborhood boundaries the city publishes. Downtown is marked for reference.

At a glance

Area
1,066 acres
Homes
3,183 Counted in the 2020 Census, apartments and condos included
Median year built
1950
Average home size
1,449 sq ft Smaller than 65% of Portland neighborhoods Houses and buildings of up to 4 homes
Average lot size
6,484 sq ft
Tree canopy
32.4% More canopy than 65% of Portland neighborhoods
Streets steeper than 8%
6.2% of street length Hillier than 65% of Portland neighborhoods Elevation 115–582 ft
In FEMA's 100-year flood zone
None
Within 500 ft of a freeway
9.8% of residential lots
New homes permitted
20 Fewer than 60% of Portland neighborhoods Since January 2023

Share of homes: 56.2% single-family houses, 9.7% in 2–4 unit buildings, 34.1% 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

  • By my mapping, part of the Rocky Butte Scenic Drive Historic District lies within this neighborhood.

Getting around on foot

Intersections per sq mile
101 Fewer than 75% of Portland neighborhoods
Average block length
377 ft Longer than 80% of Portland neighborhoods
Sidewalk coverage
48.2% (my estimate)
Transit stops within ¼ mile
177 More than 90% 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

Gateway Green Property, Hancock Park, Joseph Wood Hill Park, Rocky Butte Natural Area, Rose City Golf Course

Schools in and near this neighborhood

  • Lee Elementary School K–5 Portland SD 1J
  • Hassolo School 6–12 Multnomah ESD
  • Leodis V. McDaniel High School 9–12 Portland SD 1J
  • Roseway Heights School 6–8 Portland SD 1J
  • Rose City Park K–5 Portland SD 1J
  • Prescott Elementary School PK–5 Parkrose SD 3

Food, drink and daily errands

Restaurants
8
Cafes
1
Bars and pubs
0
Grocery
0
Pharmacies
0

Restaurants and coffee I found nearby

  • Pho Oregon Vietnamese · Inside the neighborhood
  • Mekong Bistro Cambodian · Inside the neighborhood
  • Bolero Club Vietnamese · Inside the neighborhood
  • El Burrito Loco Mexican · Inside the neighborhood
  • New Happy Fortune Chinese · Inside the neighborhood
  • WokShop Kitchen Asian · Inside the neighborhood
  • Ki’ikibáa Mexican · Inside the neighborhood
  • Rocky Butte Espresso Bar Coffee · Inside the neighborhood
  • Rose City Grill Restaurant · Inside the neighborhood Patio
  • Bag O' Crab Seafood · 0.1 mi away

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
$489,200
Median gross rent
$1,582
Owner-occupied
55.6%
Renter-occupied
44.4%

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