Mississippi Ave (Boise-Eliot) Neighborhood Guide

Major freeway ramps located nearby include I-5 and I-84. Drive over the Fremont, Steel or Broadway bridges to get downtown or to the Pearl District, and Old Town/Chinatown in mere minutes. The "MAX" light rail located on Interstate is only minutes away on foot. Downtown by bicycle is about 25 minutes.

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Features

Portland's Boise-Eliot neighborhood is one of the most unique and most popular Portland neighborhoods. Most locals know Boise-Eliot by a few names: Williams Avenue and Mississippi Avenue. While technically part of the same neighborhood(s) proper, these two streets have truly developed their own unique personality and feel with respect to the independent businesses that line their streets.

Prepare yourself for a mixed brew of all things old and nouveau. Boise is truly the phoenix rising from the ashes. An unknown to most just a handful of years ago, the streets are now alive with local shops and foot traffic. Modest homes, kids on bikes and dog walkers abound in this funky and urban self-sustaining neighborhood. You’ll feel right at home as you get to know the many independently owned coffee houses, pubs, music venues, nurseries and zesty local restaurants each boasting an individual flair.

The Mississippi Ave neighborhood in Portland can probably best be described as young, urban and hip. The streets are busied with bike traffic, foot-traffic and buses cruising by every few minutes. This area is a hot-spot for the 20-30ish Portland crowd looking for easy access to downtown.  Mississippi has just about everything the average urbanite could need: nearly a dozen great restaurants, great (some nationally famous) coffee shops, a recording studio and live music hall, several bars and pubs and a lot of retail and boutique shops, all independently owned.  A few standouts on the street are Mississippi Studios, Lovely Hula Hands, The Crow Bar, Amnesia Brewing, Gravy, Equinox, Por Que No?!, The Fresh Pot, Lorenzo's, Pistils Nursery and Miss Delta. This is a thriving entrepreneurial district- you won't find a Starbucks here and locals will see to it that you don't.

Just a few minutes away, Williams Avenue offers even more independent retail and boutiques.  Standouts are Lompoc's 5Q (Fifth Quarter), Pix Patisserie and Ristretto Roasters. 

Portland Community College is a major presence in the Mississippi Ave area and many residents are also students or faculty. Additionally, head about five minutes north to Killingsworth Street for more really great local businesses to choose from such as Saraveza (a beer bottle shop), The Red E Cafe, E'njoni Ethiopian Cafe and CoffeeHouse-Five. Down the road on Interstate is a New Seasons Market which is a local area shopping staple and employer. 

Overall, this is a great urban Portland neighborhood.  Boise-Eliot is centrally located and totally self-sustaining. 

Denorval Unthank Park Baseball field, basketball court, soccer field playground

Boise-Eliot Community Garden

Patton Community Garden

Dawson Park Basketball court, playground, stage, volleyball court

Matt Dishman Community Center and Pool Indoor swimming pool, fitness center and movement classes.

Overlook Park Baseball field, basketball court, dog off-leash area, playground, soccer field, softball field, track and volleyball court

Two Plum Park

Sumner-Albina Park

Lillis-Albina Park Playground, soccer field, softball field

King School Park Basketball court, playground, soccer field, softball field, tennis court and track

Beach Community Garden

Irving Park Baseball field, basketball court, dog off-leash area, horseshoe pit, playground, soccer field, softball field, lighted tennis court and volleyball court

Patton Square Park

Mallory Meadows Park

Madrona Park Basketball court

Peninsula Park Basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium, paved paths, gorgeous old rose garden, play structures and outdoor swimming pool.

Community Resources

Multnomah County Library - North Portland

Mississippi Ave Day Care

Neighborhood Schools

Religious Organizations (churches, synagogues, places of worship, private schools)

Neighborhood Public Transit - bus routes, train stops, etc.

Mississippi Ave Neighborhood Association

North Portland Tool Library

King Farmers Market Located one neighborhood over...an easy bike or walk.

Mississippi Ave Neighborhood Vibe

Stats

Mississippi Ave Zip Code 97227

Local Crime Stats

Census

Mississippi Ave Real Estate

Boise is an urban neighborhood with cultural diversity. Home styles in this area consist of older Victorian cottages, Craftsman, and other older East Portland styles that have historic charm and character you just can't find in the outlying suburbs. Home prices in this area have skyrocketed in the last several years due to the Mississippi Avenue boom. This neighborhood is highly coveted and rather spendy for those looking to buy.

Mississippi Ave experienced the same boom that other popular Portland neighborhoods did and as a result, a huge mass of people moved in and prices increased dramatically.  If you are looking to purchase a home in this area, make sure to be on your toes and ready to make a quick offer as Mississippi Ave homes are highly coveted and will not stay on the market long. All in all, Mississippi Ave is a great place for those who want the comfy feel of an older home, a sense of community and easy access to neighboring popular hoods and downtown.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in this Portland neighborhood, visit our Portland Real Estate Page for more information, or visit our Portland Real Estate Map to search the RMLS for neighborhood homes for sale.