City of Portland: Geography and Landmarks within the City Limits

Indigenous Lands

The land within Portland’s boundaries rests on the traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, and Molalla tribes. For over 10,000 years, Indigenous peoples utilized the city’s river resources. Today, Portland maintains the ninth-largest urban Native American population in the U.S.

The Six Quadrants

Portland is uniquely divided into geographic sections called “quadrants,” determined by Burnside Street (the North/South divider) and the Willamette River (the East/West divider):

• North Portland: Home to the industrial Port of Portland, the University of Portland, and the St. Johns neighborhood.
• Northeast Portland: Contains Portland International Airport (PDX), the Hollywood District, and the Alberta Arts District.
• Northwest Portland: Includes the historic Alphabet District, the Pearl District, and the vast terrain of Forest Park.
• Southeast Portland: Known for Mount Tabor and eclectic corridors like Hawthorne, Belmont, and Division.
• Southwest Portland: Contains the Downtown core, Portland State University, and Washington Park.
• South Portland: Formally designated in 2020 to clarify addresses in the South Waterfront and Lair Hill areas.

Physical Geography within City Limits

• The Willamette River: The central artery of the city, crossed by twelve iconic bridges within the city limits.
• The Columbia River: Forms Portland’s northern boundary and accommodates the city’s international shipping terminals.
• Boring Lava Field: Portland is one of the few U.S. cities with extinct volcanoes inside its boundaries, most notably Mount Tabor, Rocky Butte, and Powell Butte.
• Tualatin Mountains (West Hills): The ridge running through the west side of the city that houses the Oregon Zoo and Hoyt Arboretum.

Notable City Zip Codes

Portland proper utilizes a range of zip codes from 97201 to 97239. Key areas include:

• 97204 / 97205: The Downtown business district.
• 97209: The Pearl District and Old Town.
• 97214: Close-in Southeast (Hawthorne/Belmont).
• 97210: Northwest District and Lower Forest Park.
• 97217: North Portland and the Kenton/Arbor Lodge area.

Neighborhoods and Formal Districts

Portland has over 90 formally recognized neighborhoods. Key city districts include:

• The Pearl District: A premier example of urban renewal, turning industrial warehouses into high-density lofts.
• Old Town Chinatown: The city’s original skidmore historic district and birthplace.
• Lloyd District: A central commercial hub on the east side featuring the Moda Center and the Oregon Convention Center.
• Multnomah Village: A unique “village-style” neighborhood tucked away in Southwest Portland.

Protected Nature Preserves

Portland is defined by its commitment to urban nature, with several large protected areas entirely within city limits:

• Forest Park: A 5,200-acre wilderness within the city, featuring over 80 miles of trails.
• Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge: A 163-acre wetland complex on the east bank of the Willamette in the Sellwood neighborhood.
• Mount Tabor Park: An urban park built on an extinct volcanic cinder cone, offering panoramic views of the city skyline.
• Washington Park: Home to the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

The city offers specific zones to encourage localized business growth:

• Portland Enterprise Zone (E-Zone): Offers property tax exemptions to businesses located within the city that create local jobs and trade outside the region.
• Electronic Commerce Zone: Designated areas within the city limits (primarily North and Central) that provide tax credits for technology-based and e-commerce firms.