Brooklyn Neighborhood Guide
A historic Southeast Portland neighborhood with a main-street heart
Brooklyn is one of the oldest neighborhoods on Portland's east side, tucked between the Willamette River and the rail yards that helped build the city. It's a place of tree-lined streets, century-old homes, independent shops, and neighbors who look out for one another.
Just across the river from downtown, Brooklyn pairs small-neighborhood character with big-city access. Whether you're thinking about moving here, opening a business, or spending an afternoon exploring, this guide covers what makes Brooklyn worth knowing.
Brooklyn at a Glance
- Southeast Portland, ZIP code 97202
- East bank of the Willamette River
- Settled in 1851, subdivided in 1868
- Three parks and a community garden
- Two MAX Orange Line stations
- Minutes from downtown by bike, bus, or light rail
The history of Brooklyn, Portland
Long before Portland existed, this stretch of the Willamette was home to the Clackamas people. In 1851, settler Gideon Tibbetts arrived, built a home and a grist mill, and called his land "Brookland" for the creeks, ponds, and river that ran through it.
In 1868 Tibbetts subdivided his property and allowed the Oregon Central Railroad to cross it. New residents followed the rails, and Brookland became Brooklyn. By the 1890s, German-American families had put down roots here, leaving a mark you can still see in the neighborhood's churches and storefronts.
The 1920s brought the Ross Island Bridge and McLoughlin Boulevard, which reshaped the neighborhood and separated it from the riverfront. Brooklyn responded the way it always has: by organizing. The Brooklyn Action Corps was founded in 1962, and it still works to keep the neighborhood connected and cared for today.
What to see and do in Brooklyn
Landmarks & Culture
Catch a show at the Aladdin Theater, which opened in 1928 as Geller's Theater. Look for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the 1891 Johan Poulsen House. And don't miss the historic Brooklyn rail yard, a reminder of the neighborhood's railroad roots.
Parks & the River
Brooklyn Park, Powell Park, and Brooklyn School Park put green space close to home, and a community garden lets residents adopt a plot. To the west, Ross Island, Hardtack Island, and East Island sit in the Willamette as part of the neighborhood.
Local Shops
Brooklyn's business district is proudly independent: coffee and tea shops, restaurants, bars, wineries and distilleries, a neighborhood pharmacy, bike repair, antiques, and venues for live music and comedy. Browse the business directory to plan a visit.
Getting to and around Brooklyn
Brooklyn is one of the easier Portland neighborhoods to reach without a car. The MAX Orange Line, which opened in 2015, stops at SE 17th & Rhine and SE 17th & Holgate, and TriMet's Line 9 runs frequent service along Powell Boulevard. Three pedestrian and bike-only bridges link Brooklyn to the neighborhoods around it.
Brooklyn is bordered by the Willamette River to the west, Hosford-Abernethy to the north, Creston-Kenilworth to the east, and Reed and Sellwood-Moreland to the south.
Schools and community
Brooklyn is served by Portland Public Schools, including Winterhaven School (K–8), Hosford Middle School, and Cleveland High School. Attendance boundaries can change, so confirm your address with the district.
The Brooklyn Action Corps is the neighborhood association, and its meetings are open to everyone. The Brooklyn Historical Society preserves the neighborhood's stories and buildings, and the Brooklyn Business Association connects and champions the businesses that call Brooklyn home.