Northwest District, Portland, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Northwest District
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Neighborhood
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NW 23rd Ave at Irving Street in the Northwest District
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| City | Portland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.33 sq mi (3.44 km2) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 11,455 |
| • Density | 8,625/sq mi (3,330/km2) |
| Housing | |
| • No. of households | 7,567 |
| • Occupancy rate | 94% occupied |
| • Owner-occupied | 1,137 households (15%) |
| • Renting | 6,430 households (85%) |
| • Avg. household size | 1.51 persons |
The Northwest District is a lively neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, USA. It's a busy place with lots of shops, restaurants, and homes. You'll find many old-style houses, apartment buildings, and new condos close together.
It's easy to get around here! The Portland Streetcar has a line that connects the Northwest District to other cool areas like the Pearl District and Downtown Portland. Many TriMet buses also serve the area.
Contents
Exploring the Northwest District
This neighborhood stretches from the West Hills to I-405. It goes from NW Nicolai Street and the Willamette River in the north down to W Burnside Street in the south.
The Northwest District is surrounded by other neighborhoods. To the west are Forest Park and Hillside. To the north is Northwest Industrial. The Pearl District is to the east, and Goose Hollow is to the south.
People often call parts of this area by different names, like specific streets.
Famous Streets and Areas
- NW 23rd Ave. – This street is sometimes called Trendy-third because it's full of cool clothing stores, cafes, restaurants, and pubs. The southern part, near W Burnside St., is also known as Uptown. A section called Nob Hill is centered around NW 23rd Ave. and NW Lovejoy St.
- NW 21st Ave. – This is another main street for food and fun. It has popular restaurants, an independent movie theater, and many bars and pubs.
The Alphabet District Story
The Alphabet District is a special part of the Northwest District. Its streets were originally named after letters of the alphabet, from "A Street" to "Z Street."
This naming idea started in 1865. A man named Captain John H. Couch planned out the first streets. Each street on his map was given a letter. In 1866, the city officially named the streets "A Street," "B Street," and so on, up to "K Street." Later, this was extended to "O Street." This is how the area got its "Alphabet District" name.
From 1865 to 1891, the streets kept their letter names. Then, they were given new names that started with their original letter. For example, "A Street" became "Aldrich Street." Today, almost every letter is used, except for "X" and "Z." "X Street" became Roosevelt Street, named after President Theodore Roosevelt. "Z Street" was named Reed Street, after Simeon Gannett Reed.
A part of the Alphabet District is called the Alphabet Historic District. This area is protected because of its history. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Parks and Important Places
Beyond the busy streets, you'll find quiet residential areas and green spaces.
- Couch Park was created in 1977.
- Wallace Park opened in 1920.
- Macleay Park, a forested area, was acquired in 1897. It's part of the larger Forest Park neighborhood.
The Northwest District also has schools and a hospital:
- Chapman Elementary School
- Metropolitan Learning Center
- Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center
- Linfield University-Portland Campus
Fun Fact: The Simpsons Connection
Did you know that some characters in the TV show The Simpsons are named after streets in Portland's Alphabet District? The show's creator, Matt Groening, is from Portland. Characters like Reververend Lovejoy, Mayor Quimby, and the bully Kearney get their names from these streets!
