Wilkes

Average Sales Price

$420,703

Total Listings

Wilkes is an outer East Portland neighborhood east of NE 148th Avenue with a mix of 1950s to 1970s ranches, 1990s and 2000s subdivision infill, and newer small-lot townhomes. The Columbia Slough Trail runs along the north edge, Wilkes Park anchors the interior with a community garden, and the MAX Blue Line runs along the south edge with stations at E 162nd and E 181st.

LISTINGS

$350,000

2 Beds2 Baths1,463 SqFt

15510 NE KNOTT ST #3, Portland, OR 97230

Listed by RE/MAX Advantage Group
$729,900

4 Beds3.1 Baths4,886 SqFt

15643 NE SISKIYOU CT, Portland, OR 97230

Listed by Farrell Realty & Property Management, Inc
$465,000

2 Beds1.1 Baths1,501 SqFt

850 NE 148TH AVE, Portland, OR 97230

Listed by John L. Scott Portland Central
$269,000

3 Beds2 Baths1,638 SqFt

3007 NE 149TH AVE, Portland, OR 97230

Listed by MORE Realty
$599,000

4 Beds2.1 Baths2,561 SqFt

1940 NE 142ND AVE, Portland, OR 97230

Listed by RE/MAX Equity Group
$239,000

2 Beds2 Baths976 SqFt

15711 NE BEECH ST #5F, Portland, OR 97230

Listed by MORE Realty

MORE LISTINGS

RECENTLY SOLD

$443,600

$460,000 3.6%

1639 NE 150TH AVE, Portland, OR 97230

2 Beds2 Baths1,656 SqFt

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Listed by MORE Realty

$520,000

$525,000 1.0%

3226 NE 165th LN, Portland, OR 97230

5 Beds2.1 Baths2,338 SqFt

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Listed by Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty

15035 NE SACRAMENTO ST #62, Portland, OR 97230

$238,000

$239,000 0.4%

15035 NE SACRAMENTO ST #62, Portland, OR 97230

2 Beds1.1 Baths1,021 SqFt

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Listed by Windermere Realty Trust

MORE LISTINGS

East Portland Neighborhood Guide

Living in Wilkes

An outer East Portland residential pocket east of NE 148th with mid-century ranches, 1990s subdivision infill, and access to Wilkes Park and the Columbia Slough natural area.

Updated April 2026 by Joe Saling

Neighborhood Overview

What Wilkes Is Really Like

Wilkes is an outer East Portland neighborhood sitting east of NE 148th Avenue and north of NE Halsey Street, bordered on the north by the Columbia Slough and Portland International Airport's south edge, and on the east by the city limits near NE 181st. The area was annexed to Portland in the early 1990s and kept much of the housing pattern it had under unincorporated Multnomah County: a mix of mid-century ranches on larger lots, 1990s and 2000s subdivision infill, and a few pockets of older farmhouses. The terrain is mostly flat, with subtle slope toward the Columbia Slough on the north edge, which gives the northern blocks a quieter, more rural feel than the arterial-adjacent sections.

A weekday morning here sounds like school buses on the interior streets, airport flights overhead a few times an hour, arterial traffic on NE Halsey and NE 148th, and commuters heading for I-205 to the west or I-84 to the north. Commercial life happens on the edges: Halsey, 148th, and the Gateway area to the southwest handle most of the shopping. Inside Wilkes the pace slows to residential rhythm, with blocks of 1960s and 1970s ranches mixed with newer subdivision pockets that feel distinct from the surrounding street grid.

On residential blocks you will see walkers heading to Wilkes Park or the Columbia Slough Trail on the north edge, bikers on the quiet interior streets, and yard work on weekends. The Wilkes Park community garden, maintained by Portland Parks and Recreation, is an active neighborhood anchor. Many streets lack sidewalks, which is common in outer East Portland and something to verify block by block. The proximity to PDX airport means flight noise varies noticeably by runway direction, with some blocks quieter than others depending on the wind and time of day.

Looking for broader context on the area? Read my full East Portland relocation guide for how Wilkes fits into the wider district.

Housing & Style

Homes and Architecture in Wilkes

Wilkes housing stock comes from two main eras. The dominant older layer is 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s single-story ranches and split-level homes, typically three-bedroom, two-bath, attached garage, built when the area was unincorporated Multnomah County. The second substantial layer is 1990s and 2000s subdivision infill, often two-story with attached garages, vinyl siding, and slightly tighter lot sizes than the mid-century section. A small third layer of newer townhomes and small-lot infill has arrived over the past decade, particularly closer to the NE 162nd and NE Halsey commercial nodes. Older ranch lots commonly run 7,500 to 10,000 square feet; subdivision and townhome lots more commonly run 3,500 to 5,500 square feet.

When you shop here, expect a wide range of condition. Some mid-century ranches have been carefully maintained or updated; others retain original systems (kitchens, baths, electrical panels, roofs). The 1990s and 2000s subdivision homes are generally in more uniform condition but are now at the age where original roofs, water heaters, and HVAC systems commonly need replacement. Two items worth underwriting: the original electrical panels on older ranches (Federal Pacific and Zinsco brands show up in this era and affect insurance), and drainage on lots that sit lower than the street grade or closer to the Columbia Slough. For airport-proximate addresses, pull the FAA flight-path overlay and drive the block at different times before you commit.

1950s to 1970s ranch & split-level
1990s to 2000s subdivision infill
2010s townhome infill
3,500 to 10,000 sq ft lots
Entry point for Portland

Around the Neighborhood

Geography, Amenities, and Getting Around

Columbia Slough & North-Edge Natural Area

Defining Geography

The Columbia Slough runs along the north edge of Wilkes, a 19-mile wetland waterway that supports salmon, herons, beavers, and a wide range of migratory birds. The Columbia Slough Trail follows portions of the waterway and gives residents flat, scenic walking and biking access to one of Portland's most underrated natural areas. The slough also creates a natural buffer between Wilkes and PDX airport property to the north.

NE 148th & NE Halsey Corridors

Nearest Amenity Hub

Full-service grocery sits at the NE 148th and Halsey intersection (Winco Foods) about 3 to 5 minutes by car, with additional grocery, pharmacy, and dining options along NE Halsey. The NE 162nd and Halsey area adds international markets and restaurants. Gateway Fred Meyer and the full Gateway retail cluster is about 6 to 8 minutes southwest. For big-box and larger errands, buyers commonly drive to Gateway or to the Glisan and 181st area just east of the city limit.

Wilkes Park & Columbia Slough Trail

Outdoor Access

Wilkes Park sits centrally in the neighborhood and includes a community garden maintained by Portland Parks, playgrounds, and open space. The Columbia Slough Trail gives walkers and bikers access to the wetland natural area along the north edge. The I-205 Multi-Use Path is 5 to 7 minutes west for longer paved-trail rides south to Clackamas or north across the Columbia to Vancouver.

Getting Around

Transit & Commute

I-205 is 5 to 7 minutes west, putting downtown Portland about 22 to 27 minutes by car off-peak via I-205 to I-84. The MAX Blue Line serves Gateway Transit Center to the southwest and the E 162nd Ave and E 181st Ave stations directly on the Blue Line for buyers on the southern and eastern edges. TriMet bus service runs on Halsey, 148th, and 162nd. Peak-hour drives to downtown can stretch to 35 minutes. PDX airport is 5 to 8 minutes north, which matters for frequent flyers but means flight noise on certain runway configurations.

From Your Agent

Joe's Take on Wilkes

When buyers tell me they want single-family housing in Portland at the lowest honest entry point, with a flat residential grid, MAX access, and some real outdoor space, Wilkes is a neighborhood I put on the short list. You typically pay among the least per square foot of any Portland neighborhood here, you have the Columbia Slough and its trail system on the north edge, and you have MAX Blue Line service via the 162nd and 181st stations. The honest trade-off is that Wilkes is not a walk-to-everything neighborhood. The commercial life happens on Halsey, 148th, 162nd, and in the Gateway cluster, all of which are arterial-scaled rather than pedestrian-scaled, and many residential blocks lack sidewalks.

The housing stock and location suit buyers who want more square footage and more lot for the money, who value airport proximity (PDX is 5 to 8 minutes), who want direct MAX access to downtown, and who can live with driving to most shops and restaurants. It works well for remote workers, frequent flyers, and buyers who want to own in Portland at an entry point that inner neighborhoods cannot match. It is less of a fit for buyers who want a walkable commercial corridor outside their front door, who want consistent tree canopy (the mid-century subdivisions have thinner canopy than inner Portland), or who need consistently newer housing stock; the 1990s and 2000s subdivisions are the main modern layer and some of those systems are now approaching replacement age.

Before you write an offer in Wilkes, there are several specifics worth checking. Pull the FAA flight-path overlay for your target address; PDX approach and departure paths run over parts of Wilkes and noise varies noticeably by block and by runway direction. Pull the electrical panel history on 1960s and 1970s homes, since Zinsco and Federal Pacific brands show up and affect insurance. Pull the sewer scope on any pre-1980s home. Check drainage on lots that sit lower than the street grade, especially anywhere near the Columbia Slough. Verify whether the street has city sidewalks. Finally, confirm the school district at davidouglas.k12.or.us, reynolds.k12.or.us, or centennial.k12.or.us depending on address, since Wilkes is split across district lines and the assignment surprises buyers used to Portland Public.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilkes

How do home prices in Wilkes compare to the rest of East Portland?

Wilkes typically prices at or near the entry point for East Portland on a per-square-foot basis, running roughly in line with Russell, Centennial, and Pleasant Valley, and generally below Hazelwood, Mill Park, and Montavilla. The outer location, the mixed housing stock, the airport proximity, and the multiple school district assignments all contribute to the lower entry point. The 1990s and 2000s subdivision homes within Wilkes tend to price at a modest premium over the mid-century ranches due to newer systems. The current average sales price and active listing count are shown at the top of this page and update automatically with the market.

What are property taxes like in Wilkes?

Multnomah County property taxes in Wilkes run at an effective combined rate of approximately 1.3% to 2.1% of assessed value, in line with the rest of the county. Because home values here tend to be lower than inner Portland neighborhoods, typical annual property tax bills are also lower on average. Oregon Measure 50 caps assessed value growth at 3% per year, so long-held homes often pay less than their market value would suggest. Some newer subdivisions may fall under additional local improvement district overlays. Verify current rates and the specific assessment for any address you are considering at multco.us/assessment-taxation.

Which schools serve Wilkes?

Wilkes is split across multiple school districts depending on address. The majority of the neighborhood is served by the David Douglas School District, with portions assigned to Reynolds or Centennial depending on exact location. This is different from the Portland Public Schools assignment most inner-Portland buyers are used to. Verify the specific address assignment at davidouglas.k12.or.us, reynolds.k12.or.us, or centennial.k12.or.us before making assumptions. Boundaries can change.

What is the housing stock like in Wilkes?

Housing stock is a mix of 1950s to 1970s ranch and split-level homes (the dominant older layer, built during the unincorporated Multnomah County era), 1990s to 2000s subdivision infill, and a small layer of 2010s townhomes and small-lot infill closer to the NE 162nd and Halsey area. Lot sizes vary widely from 3,500 square feet on newer townhome lots up to 10,000 square feet on older ranch parcels. Amenity access includes Wilkes Park with community garden, the Columbia Slough Trail and natural area on the north edge, and MAX Blue Line service at E 162nd and E 181st stations. Many residential streets lack sidewalks.

How long is the commute from Wilkes to downtown Portland?

Downtown Portland is typically 22 to 27 minutes by car outside of peak hours, using I-205 south to I-84 west. Peak-hour drives can push to 35 minutes or more. The MAX Blue Line from the E 162nd or E 181st stations runs directly to downtown and takes about 35 to 40 minutes. TriMet bus service runs on Halsey, 148th, and 162nd. PDX airport is 5 to 8 minutes north, which is a practical benefit for frequent travelers but comes with some flight noise depending on the runway in use.

Is Wilkes walkable?

Wilkes is not a walkable neighborhood in the inner-Portland sense. Many residential streets lack sidewalks, commercial amenities are concentrated along arterial corridors (NE Halsey, 148th, 162nd, 181st) rather than in a walkable pedestrian core, and daily errands typically require a car. Walk Scores in the neighborhood are generally in the 30s to low 50s depending on proximity to the arterials. Outdoor walking options lean toward Wilkes Park, the Columbia Slough Trail along the north edge, and the I-205 Multi-Use Path to the west rather than commercial-corridor walks. The flat terrain makes biking and walking easy where sidewalks exist.

How does Wilkes compare to nearby East Portland neighborhoods?

Wilkes typically prices roughly in line with Russell to the west and Centennial and Glenfair to the south, and generally below Hazelwood and Parkrose Heights to the southwest and north. Russell has a similar housing mix but with Glendoveer Golf Course adjacency instead of the Columbia Slough. Centennial has nearly identical pricing and housing eras but with a different school district. Parkrose Heights sits north with airport adjacency but different commercial access patterns. Wilkes is the pick when a buyer wants Columbia Slough natural area access, airport proximity for frequent flyers, and entry-level Portland pricing with direct MAX Blue Line service.

Can I add an ADU or short-term rental in Wilkes?

Most Wilkes lots are eligible for an accessory dwelling unit under Portland's Residential Infill Project rules, which allow up to one ADU on a single-family lot. The larger mid-century lot sizes on older ranch parcels can make ADU construction more flexible than the tighter 1990s subdivision or 2010s townhome parcels. Short-term rentals require a City of Portland STR permit; Type A permits require owner-occupancy, and Type B permits (non-owner-occupied) have stricter limits and are harder to obtain. Proximity to PDX airport can make STR demand stronger here than some outer neighborhoods. Verify both ADU eligibility and STR permit type for your specific address with Portland Bureau of Development Services (portland.gov/bds) before counting on rental income.

Thinking About Buying in Wilkes?

I help buyers navigate East Portland neighborhoods every week. Let's talk about what you need, what you can afford, and whether Wilkes is the right fit.

Schedule a Free Consultation Or call Joe directly: (503) 910-7364

Joe Saling · Saling Homes at eXp Realty · 10+ years serving Portland metro buyers and sellers

Saling Homes at eXp Realty is committed to the principles of the Fair Housing Act and Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in the State of Oregon. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Verify all data independently before making real estate decisions.