This heavy wooded area just west of downtown has narrow winding streets with an absent of sidewalks. Its attraction is the quick drive to downtown and its closeness to the Oregon Zoo and Hoyt Arboretum trails.

Many of the houses that now face Highway 26 are from the 1930s and 1940s, when houses were built along the south edge of the neighborhood near the Portland Racquet Club. The rest of the neighborhood sprang up in the 1950s, '60s and '70s.  And the change continues as new condos and townhomes are being constructed on the western edge of the neighborhood.

The neighborhood association supported the tunnel for light rail, which could have run above ground through the residential area. Residents also expressed concerns when the Oregon Department of Transportation began to redesign the U.S. 26 highway between Sylvan and Camelot Court, including a new overpass bridge. The overpass project now has a bridge with stanchions at each end that read 'Sylvan' on a background of trees.  The design that came from the neighborhood.

You see a few of the Sylvan-Highlands residents walk from their homes to the MAX Light Rail stop at the Zoo to either head into downtown for work or out to the west suburbs for work in one of the high-tech companies.

Origin of the Name of Sylvan-Highlands

The word 'sylvan' is derived from Silvanus, the Roman deity of the woods. The name seems appropriate for an area that is more like a forest than an urban neighborhood. 

Sylvan-Highlands Home Styles

You will find a few older homes along with 50s - 60s homes which is the predominant style. Homes facing west have a view of the coastal mountain range. The last few years have seen some new condos being built along with townhomes.

Most homes in Sylvan-Highlands are owner occupied. An apartment complex is located at the south end of the neighborhood near the business district.  Most of the detached single-family homes are owner occupied.

¹Sylvan-Highlands 2008 Home Prices  

• Number of homes sold in Sylvan-Highlands in 2008:  29.

• Average price for homes sold in Sylvan-Highlands in 2008:  $589,950.

• Median price for homes sold in Sylvan-Highlands in 2008:  $530,000.

• Average sales price change in 2008 from 2007 in Sylvan-Highlands:  -16%.

• 5-year average sales price growth in Sylvan-Highlands:  43%.

• 2008 metro area average home price:  $330,300 (-3.7% sales price change from 2007)..

• 2008 metro area median home price: $278,000 (-4% sales price change from 2007).

Please be aware that the above figures are subject to error and are intended as guidelines only. View the Sylvan-Highlands homes currently for sale by clicking here.

Parks and Gardens in the Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood

Hoyt Arboretum (232 acres) offers ten miles of walking trails and adjoins the neighborhood.  Washington Park with its numerous attractions also borders the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood.

Walking in Sylvan-Highlands

The SW Trails Group is a committee of Southwest Neighborhoods Inc that uses volunteer efforts to make trail improvements, lead walks, work with Safe Routes to School, plan and advocate for pedestrian and bicycle safety and other improvements in SW Portland  Their walks are the second Saturday of each month, meet at 9 a.m. sharp under the Hillsdale Oak, behind the Dance Studio at SW Sunset Blvd and SW Capitol Highway near the concrete bleachers of the Wilson football field.

Hoyt Arboretum (232 acres) offers ten miles of walking trails and adjoins Washington Park and borders the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood.   The Arboretum's plant collection is made up of over 8,000 individual trees and plants, representing over 1,000 species, many of which are accessible and well-labeled.

Walk Score ranks 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities to help you find a walkable place to live. Below is a Walk Score for an address in the center of the neighborhood.

 

Map of Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood
 

 

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More About Sylvan-Highlands

• Neighborhood Association Web site  Sylvan-Highlands.

• Location  Take West Burnside out of downtown and when you approach Skyline Boulevard, look to your left.

• ²Drive Time to Downtown  About ten minutes - more if you're traveling West Burnside during rush hour.

• Topography  Moderate rolling hills, very wooded, winding roads.  Very few homes have views.

• Streets and Sidewalks  Not a straight street in the neighborhood and no sidewalks.

• 2005 Livability Study  96.3% of the Sylvan-Highlands residents rated their neighborhood "good" or "very good."  The survey data for this neighborhood was combined with Forest Park and Northwest Heights.  See Livability Study.

• Public Transportation  TriMet No. 20 goes up Burnside Road, and Nos. 58 and 63 go to the Sylvan overpass.  A MAX light rail stop at the Oregon Zoo is within walking distance for residents living on the east side of the neighborhood.  Metro (regional government in charge of the Zoo) does not allow commuter parking in their Zoo lots.

• ³Demographics  Population: 1,205.  Area size: 538 acres.  Average population density: two persons per acre. Number of households: 496.  Percent of home owners: 87. Diversity: 5.9% non-Caucasian.

• Crime Stats  2008:  3 violent crimes, 7 residential burglaries, and 3 auto thefts.  Total crimes per 1,000 residents was 51. For the latest crime statistics for the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood, click here.

• Sex Offenders  Click here for the State of Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System.  After agreeing to the "Conditions of Use Statement" you will be redirected to a "Enter Search Criteria" page.  Insert a zip code in the "Zip" field and click on the "Query" button. Sylvan-Highlands zip code(s):  97021, 97025.

• ⁴Shopping and Services  This neighborhood has a few commercial establishments on SW Skyline Boulevard.  You will find a convenience store, cleaners, a couple of gas stations, and a pizza take-out.  It is an easy 7-8 minute drive to the Northwest District where you will find all kinds of shopping.

• Eating Out  Pizzicato, a well-regarded pizza take-out is located at the intersection of Highway 26 and SW Skyline Boulevard.  Residents are minutes from restaurants in Northwest District and downtown.

• Walking Score  Most of the addresses have a walking score in the 40s (not walkable) as recorded by Walk Score.

• Public Library  You have to go downtown to the Multnomah County Central Library or to the Northwest District branch located at 2300 NW Thurman Street.

• Who Lives in Sylvan-Highlands  With its proximity to downtown, the Sunset Highway, freeways and the light-rail line, Sylvan Highlands has attracted a diverse group of residents. Former Governor Tom McCall lived in the neighborhood when he worked for The Oregonian and Channel 8, and former Gov. John Kitzhaber used to resided in Sylvan-Highlands.

• Cars in the Neighborhood  SUVs, luxury autos, and a few vans (soccer moms).

• Schools  Elementary school: Ainsworth and Chapman.  Middle school: West Sylvan Middle School.  High schools: Lincoln High School.

• School Report Card Grades  Elementary schools: A/B. Middle school: A.  High school: A. Click here for report card details.

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¹Real Estate Values  Data on real estate values provided by Graphical Data, Homequest, and RMLS™.
²Drive Time to Downtown  Estimated commuting time obtained from Yahoo Maps and Google Maps.  Drive time was calculated from a central intersection in each neighborhood to Pioneer Courthouse Square during the morning peak commute time.
³Demographics Data  Numbers were obtained from Census 2000 and www.portlandmaps.com.
⁴Shopping and Services  Numbers were determined from local directory listings and county/municipal library systems.