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Portsmouth, Portland, Oregon facts for kids

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Portsmouth
Neighborhood
Country United States
State Oregon
City Portland
Area
 • Total 1.09 sq mi (2.82 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 9,789
 • Density 8,991/sq mi (3,471/km2)
Housing
 • No. of households 3,627
 • Occupancy rate 95% occupied
 • Owner-occupied 1,695 households (47%)
 • Renting 1,754 households (48%)
 • Avg. household size 2.70 persons

Portsmouth is a friendly neighborhood located in the northern part of Portland, Oregon, in the United States. It's known for being a mostly residential area where people live. The neighborhood is surrounded by Columbia Boulevard to the north, Lombard Street to the south, Chautauqua Boulevard to the east, and a BNSF Railway line to the west.

History of Portsmouth

In 1883, a group of real estate agents formed the "Portsmouth Real Estate Association." They planned out a new area for homes and businesses. This area was near what is now Portsmouth Avenue and Lombard Street.

They called their new development the "City of Portsmouth." However, it never officially became its own city. Later, in 1889, another company called Electric Land Company bought this land. They then planned out a new section called "Portsmouth Villa."

Historians aren't completely sure why the name "Portsmouth" was chosen. It might be because the area is close to the lower part of Portland's harbor. The name "Portsmouth" could have seemed fitting for a place near a port.

What You'll Find in Portsmouth

Portsmouth is mainly a neighborhood where people live in homes. A big part of the area is taken up by New Columbia. This is a large housing development that covers about 82 acres. It offers homes for people with different income levels.

Parks and Green Spaces

You can find several parks in Portsmouth where you can play and relax. These include Columbia Park, McCoy Park, Northgate Park, and University Park. If you enjoy walking or biking, the Peninsula Crossing Trail runs along the western edge of the neighborhood.

Schools and Community Centers

Portsmouth is home to three public schools for kids. These are César Chávez School, which teaches students from kindergarten through 8th grade. There's also Rosa Parks Elementary School for kindergarten to 5th grade. For younger children, Clarendon Early Learning Academy offers pre-kindergarten programs. The neighborhood also has the Charles Jordan Community Center. This center provides many activities and services for everyone in the community.

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