Moving to Portland and looking for the perfect neighborhood to call home? The city is divided into five quadrants. Southwest Portland features a waterfront area along Willamette River and Downtown with indie boutiques, fine dining, and fun attractions. One of the best neighborhoods in Southwest Portland is the Hillsdale neighborhood known for its old-school charm, walkability, and breweries.
Here's everything you should know about Hillsdale Portland, OR, and everything you’ll love about living in Hillsdale! When you're ready to make the move, trusted Portland movers can help ensure your transition to this charming neighborhood is smooth and stress-free.
History of Hillsdale Portland
The Hillsdale history begins in the mid-19th century when a Missouri pioneer named John Slavin built a cabin at the present-day intersection of Sunset Blvd and Capitol Highway. His road was later renamed Capitol Highway. By the 1880s, Hillsdale, Portland was a growing community of Italian, Swiss, and German immigrants who created vegetable and dairy farms. By 1912, the neighborhood was transforming into a residential community and its Jewish population was growing. It was during the 1950s that Hillsdale’s growth really took off and when most of the homes in the community were built.
Hillsdale Oregon Location & Transportation
Hillsdale, Portland, OR is located in Southwest Portland in the 97239 zip code adjacent to the neighborhoods of Hayhurst, South Burlingame, Multnomah, Healy Heights, Southwest Hills, Bridlemile, and South Portland. The Hillsdale district includes the Hillsdale shopping center Portland area with a number of strip malls on SW Capitol Highway.
It's less than five miles from Hillsdale, Portland to Downtown Portland. As you climb the hills, you’ll enter the Hillsdale neighborhood once you reach Capitol Highway, the main street that cuts through the neighborhood. The neighborhood is minutes from I-5.
Hillsdale, OR is served by more than one dozen bus routes on Portland’s Tri-Met, many of which are express routes. There is no streetcar or MAX light rail line in the neighborhood. This interactive Tri-Met map is a useful tool for planning how to get around.
Living in Hillsdale Portland – Population, Lifestyle & Culture
Hillsdale is one of the best places to live in Portland if you’re looking for a walkable neighborhood close to downtown with the feel of the suburbs with a sense of community. Together with Multnomah Village, it’s one of only two communities in the west hills of Portland with its own commercial area with shopping and restaurants. The main thoroughfare of the neighborhood has everything from restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and brewpubs to boutiques and major shopping.
The Hillsdale, Oregon population is about 8,400 with a density of 2,100 people per square mile. It’s less densely populated than the city overall which lends a more suburban feel and it has a population that’s a bit older than average for Portland.
Portland has a large Jewish population of more than 47,000 and Hillsdale, Portland, Oregon is the heart of the city’s Jewish community. The neighborhood is home to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, founded in 1914 when anti-Semitic policies prompted Jewish residents to create a community center open to all. It became a hub for the Jewish community in Portland and remains an inclusive and vibrant gathering spot for people living in Hillsdale, Portland.
The neighborhood also boasts many other Jewish organizations, kosher food options, day schools, and congregations including Congregation Neveh Shalom and Congregation Kesser Israel. There are also two Jewish private schools: The Gan – Portland Jewish Preschool and Portland Jewish Academy.
In addition to the large Jewish community, you’ll find many people living in Hillsdale who have been residents for decades. The neighborhood also has many students of nearby Oregon Health & Science University, young families who appreciate the safety and sense of community, and young professionals who are attracted to the short commute from Hillsdale to downtown Portland.
Is Hillsdale, Portland safe? Definitely, it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Portland! The neighborhood has an estimated crime rate of 2,684 crimes per 100,000 people and 267 violent crimes per 100,000. That’s 31% less violent crime than the national average and a 49% lower crime rate than the Portland average.
Just be prepared for the high cost of living in Hillsdale, OR. Hillsdale is an affluent Portland neighborhood with a median household income of $102,000. The Portland cost of living is already 27% higher than the national average, but high home prices in Hillsdale and high rents make it one of the most expensive places to live in the city.
While living in Hillsdale, you’ll be served by three public schools: Rieke Elementary School, Robert Gray Middle School, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School.
Things to Do in Hillsdale, Portland – Shopping, Dining & Entertainment
Ready to explore the neighborhood’s top attractions ahead of moving to Hillsdale, Portland? From shopping and dining to outdoor recreation and exciting breweries, there’s always something happening in Southwest Portland’s best neighborhood!
If you’re planning a visit before making the move, staying within the neighborhood can give you a better feel for daily life in Hillsdale. Many visitors choose vacation rentals for added comfort and flexibility, especially for longer stays. Owner Direct makes it easy to compare homes and short-term rental options in the area, helping you experience Hillsdale like a local.
Hillsdale, Portland is a thriving and busy neighborhood with plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. You’ll see many residents cycling despite the steep hills. There are several hilly urban parks including Hillsdale City Park with an off-leash dog park and George Himes City Park with 35 acres and unpathed hiking paths. To the north, the neighborhood is bordered by Marquam Nature Park, the third largest park in Portland, with miles of hiking trails.
The heart of Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood is the Mittleman Jewish Community Center which offers fitness and wellness classes with a popular aquatics center, sports and youth classes at the Sportsplex, childcare and camps, and arts and culture events. There are two other community centers nearby: the Fulton Community Center just over the western boundary and the Southwest Community Center near Gabriel Park with fitness classes and swimming.
The community comes together every Sunday for the Hillsdale Farmers Market held every Sunday at the Mary Rieke Elementary School. The market boasts over 50 local food artisans and farmers with a huge selection of fresh produce, meats, and ready-to-eat food. The Hillsdale Library is another anchor of the neighborhood. It’s close to the Hillsdale Shopping Center, one of the landmarks of Hillsdale, OR. This outdoor shopping center offers everything from restaurants and shops to major service providers.
There are tons of Hillsdale Oregon restaurants to explore too! Chart House offers upscale seafood dining with mountain views from the waterfront. Verde Cocina Hillsdale is the chain’s flagship location and a Hillsdale icon with vegan-friendly Mexican cuisine. Salvador Molly’s is one of the most unique Hillsdale, Portland restaurants. This casual neighborhood eatery bills itself as “food without borders” with an eclectic menu of street food inspired by global cuisine.
Finally, we can’t overlook the Hillsdale brewery that put it on the craft beer map. McMenamins Hillsdale is the original McMenamins location and the first brewpub in Oregon. The neighborhood is also home to a popular Sasquatch Brewing Co. brewpub.
Here’s where to find these top destinations in the Hillsdale neighborhood:
- Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219 (503) 244-0111
- Multnomah County Library – Hillsdale, 1525 SW Sunset Blvd, Portland, OR 97239 (503) 988-5123
- Hillsdale Shopping Center, 6309 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97239
- George Himes City Park, 6415 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97239
- Hillsdale City Park, SW 27th Ave & Hillsdale Hwy, Portland, OR 97239
- Chart House, 5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97239 (503) 246-6963
- Verde Cocina Hillsdale, 6446 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97239 (503) 384-2327
- Salvador Molly’s, 1523 SW Sunset Blvd, Portland, OR 97239 (503) 293-1790
- McMenamins Hillsdale Brewery & Public House, 1505 SW Sunset Blvd, Portland, OR 97239 (503) 246-3938
- Sasquatch Brewing Co., 6440 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97239 (503) 402-1999
Hillsdale Oregon Map
Explore more things to do, Hillsdale attractions, and nearby amenities with this map of Hillsdale Portland, Oregon.
Hillsdale, Portland Real Estate
Most homes in the Hillsdale district in Portland were built after WWII. You’ll find many mid-century, split-level, and ranch homes. Most homes in the neighborhood have spacious yards.
The average home price in Hillsdale is $610,000 with homes selling after 24 median days on the market. By comparison, the average Portland home price is $511,000, up 5.4% year-over-year. You’ll find some older fixer-uppers and smaller homes starting in the high $100s as well as sprawling homes priced at more than $1.5 million. You can see Hillsdale Portland homes for sale to get an idea of what your budget can get you.
Planning to rent while living in Hillsdale, Portland? The average Hillsdale rent is $1,740 according to RentCafe. That makes it one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Portland for renters with an average rent of $1,667 for the entire city.
There are almost one dozen apartment buildings in the neighborhood. Here are some of the best Hillsdale, OR rentals:
- Shadow Hills Apartments is nestled against the Stephens Creek Nature Park and on the bus route within walking distance to restaurants and shops. Amenities include an outdoor pool and fitness center in this pet-friendly complex with 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments.
- Hillsdale Terrace Apartments offers one, two, and three-bedroom units in a wooded area in the western section of the Hillsdale neighborhood.
- Hilldale Gardens Apartments offers studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom townhomes. The community is right next to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) with swimming, fitness classes, childcare, and camps. The complex also offers an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and more!
- Vantage at Hillsdale offers 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments with covered parking and walking distance to public transportation, attractions, and restaurants.
Is Hillsdale Oregon the right community for you? If you’re ready to experience the charm and beauty of Southwest Portland for yourself, give the best Hillsdale movers a call at PDX Movers today for a free, personalized moving estimate and a worry-free moving day
