About Portland
What it's like to live here
Portland is a Middlesex County town of about 9,400 people on the east bank of the Connecticut River, directly across the Arrigoni Bridge from downtown Middletown. Routes 17 and 66 cross the bridge, so Middletown is about five minutes away and Route 9 puts Hartford within about 25 minutes, while the east side of town stays wooded, with Meshomasic State Forest, orchards and quiet back roads.
The town is built on brownstone. Quarrying here began in the 1690s, and Portland stone went into New York City brownstones and Hartford's Old State House. The Portland Brownstone Quarries are now a National Historic Landmark. Portland separated from Chatham in 1841, shipyards once lined its riverfront, and most residents own their homes.
Our Middletown office at 32 Washington Street is just across the bridge, and our East Hampton headquarters is a short drive east on Route 66. Our agents live and sell here.
Portland Highlights
- The Portland Brownstone Quarries, a National Historic Landmark and now Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park
- The 1938 Arrigoni Bridge, straight into downtown Middletown
- Meshomasic State Forest, established in 1903 as Connecticut's first state forest
- Pick-your-own at Gotta's Farm and the Portland Agricultural Fair each fall
Watch
Moving to Portland, CT
Carl's guide to what you need to know before moving to Portland.
Portland market at a glance
Portland real estate market
Year to date through August 2026, single-family homes in Portland sold for a median of $432,500, closed at a median of 105.6% of list price, and spent a median of 16 days on the market. At the end of August, 17 single-family homes were for sale (2.7 months of supply). Condos and townhouses sold for a median of $324,000.
Written figures: SmartMLS Local Market Update, single-family, year to date through August 2026. Charts update automatically from SmartMLS, include all property types, and show rolling 12-month data.
Neighborhoods
Getting to know Portland
Portland Center and Main Street
The village center along Main Street (Route 17A), with the Town Green and gazebo, local shops, and the new Brainerd Place homes and apartments.
Gildersleeve
The riverside village named for the Gildersleeve family shipyards of the 1800s, and home of today's Gildersleeve School.
Indian Hill Avenue
An 18th-century shipbuilding village on the river, now the Indian Hill Avenue Historic District on the National Register.
Penfield Hill
A historic hill neighborhood and the site of Portland's first town house, built in 1799.
Great Hill
Former granite quarry country, now the area around 76-acre Great Hill Pond and its carry-in boat launch.
Near Meshomasic State Forest
The rural east side of town, with larger lots, Gotta's Farm on Route 17 and the Air Line Trail.
Buying or selling
Why Portland?
Why buy in Portland
- The Arrigoni Bridge puts downtown Middletown about 5 minutes away, and Route 9 reaches Hartford in about 25
- Portland Public Schools, the town's own K-12 district: Valley View, Gildersleeve, Brownstone Intermediate, Portland Middle and Portland High
- Time outdoors at Meshomasic State Forest, Wangunk Meadows, Great Hill Pond, Riverfront Park and the Air Line Trail
- Three golf courses in town: Portland Golf Course, Portland West and Quarry Ridge
- Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park, with zip-lining, climbing and swimming in the old quarries
Why sell in Portland now
- Single-family homes are selling in a median of 16 days (year to date through August 2026)
- Sellers are getting a median of 105.6% of list price
- The single-family median sale price is $432,500 year to date
- About 2.7 months of supply, still a seller's market
Questions
Portland real estate FAQ
What is the median home price in Portland, CT?
For single-family homes, $432,500 year to date through August 2026, according to the SmartMLS Local Market Update. Condos and townhouses: $324,000. The live charts above show the latest trend.
What is the property tax rate in Portland?
The mill rate for fiscal year 2026-27 is 36.36 for real estate, per the Town of Portland. That is $36.36 in tax per $1,000 of assessed value, and Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value.
How far is Portland from Middletown and Hartford?
Downtown Middletown is about 1.4 miles away across the Arrigoni Bridge. Downtown Hartford is about 17 miles, roughly 25 minutes, via Route 9 and I-91.
What schools serve Portland?
Portland Public Schools is the town's own K-12 district: Valley View School (K-2), Gildersleeve School (2-4), Brownstone Intermediate School (5-6), Portland Middle School (7-8) and Portland High School (9-12).
Does Carl Guild & Associates have an office near Portland?
Yes. Our Middletown office at 32 Washington Street is just across the Arrigoni Bridge, and our headquarters is at 40 West High Street in East Hampton. Call 860-474-3500.
Currently on the market
Homes for sale in Portland
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Nearby
Other towns in Middlesex County
Thinking about Portland?
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