Living in Portland, CT
Portland is a Middlesex County town across the Connecticut River from Middletown, linked by the Arrigoni Bridge, and known for its historic brownstone quarries.
Portland at a glance
- Median sale price
- $415,000+1.2% vs last year 93 sales, last 12 months
- Property tax rate
- 36.36 mills town-wide, FY2027
- Estimated yearly tax
- ~$10,600 median-priced home
- Population
- 9,478 2024 Census estimate
- Land area
- 23.4 sq mi 406 per sq mi
What it is like in Portland
Portland is in Middlesex County across the Connecticut River from Middletown, and borders Cromwell, East Hampton, Middletown and Glastonbury. It has 9,478 residents on 23.35 square miles of land area. About half of the town's perimeter is the river.
Portland was part of Chatham until it was incorporated in 1841. European settlers arrived in the 1690s, drawn by brownstone, and the quarries supplied stone for Hartford's Old State House and many New York City brownstones. A 1936 flood of the Connecticut River filled the quarries and effectively ended the industry. Shipbuilding was also an early trade.
The Portland Brownstone Quarries are a National Historic Landmark, and the Arrigoni Bridge links the town with Middletown. The Williams and Stancliff Octagon Houses are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Brownstone Adventure Sports Park on Brownstone Avenue sits in the former quarry, with 14 zip lines, climbing, swimming and water sports from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Arrigoni Winery on Route 66 has a tasting room and patio, and Saint Clements Castle on Portland-Cobalt Road overlooks the river. Star Hill Family Farm on Glastonbury Turnpike holds its Christmas tree season in November and December.
Concentric Brewing Company at 91 Main Street sits beside the Arrigoni Bridge. Portland Golf Course, Portland Golf West and Quarry Ridge Golf Course are in town, and Farrell's Restaurant and The Pub at PGC are on Marlborough Street and Bartlett Street. Bransfield Park, Helen Carlson Wildlife Sanctuary and Cobalt Landing are among the town's other open spaces.
Getting around from Portland
| Drive to | Time | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 27 min | 16 |
| New Haven | 48 min | 32 |
| Stamford | 100 min | 70 |
| New York City (Midtown) | 154 min | 106 |
| Boston | 144 min | 112 |
| Providence | 103 min | 73 |
| Bradley Airport (BDL) | 48 min | 29 |
Rail
No passenger rail station within 8 miles.
Highways and routes
Route 66 runs through Portland, and the Arrigoni Bridge connects to Middletown. Hartford is 16 miles and about 27 minutes by car, New Haven is 32 miles and 48 minutes, and Bradley Airport is 29 miles and 48 minutes. Boston is 112 miles and about 144 minutes, and New York City (Midtown) is 106 miles and about 154 minutes.
Our data lists no rail station near Portland.
Schools in Portland
5 public schools in Portland School District. Which one serves an address depends on the district, so confirm with them.
Elementary 2
- Gildersleeve
- Valley View
Middle 2
- Brownstone Intermediate
- Portland
High school 1
- Portland High School
Grades, number of students. Hover a school for its address.
For report cards, enrollment trends and spending per student, look up Portland School District on the state's EdSight site.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data. We do not rate or rank schools.
Eat, drink and explore in Portland
Open Portland in Google Maps →Eat and drink 3
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Craft brewery and taproom beside the Arrigoni Bridge, opened in 2021.
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Casual full-service restaurant with catering and special events on Marlborough Street.
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Pub and bar-and-grill at Portland Golf Course with a pavilion for events.
Things to do and see 4
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Farm winery on Route 66 with a tasting room, gift shop, outdoor patio and ciders.
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Former brownstone quarry with zip lines, climbing, swimming and water sports, open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
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European-style estate and event venue on 90 acres above the Connecticut River, with a restaurant.
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Family farm known for its Christmas tree and wreath season in November and December.
Parks, preserves and trails 45
Show 31 more parks and conservation parcels
Parks and open space © OpenStreetMap contributors. Places to eat and visit last checked October 2026. These are not paid placements; they are simply our selection. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.
Portland housing market
Over the last 12 months, 93 homes sold in Portland with a median sale price of $415,000 and a median of 7 days on market. There are 10 homes for sale right now.
Homes sold for a median of $232 per square foot. The typical home sold for 104% of its list price, and the median sale price is up 1.2% from the year before. At the current pace of sales, the homes for sale would last about 1.3 months.
Portland's town-wide property tax rate is 36.36 mills (FY2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,600 a year. Special taxing districts, such as fire districts, can add to this, and a home's actual assessment may differ from its sale price.
Source: SmartMLS, residential sales (single-family, condo and multi-family); mill rates: Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Updated November 10, 2026.
Homes for sale in Portland
See all 10 →
Know before you move
Official and independent sources worth bookmarking if you are considering Portland.
Questions about Portland
What is the median home price in Portland, CT?
The median sale price in Portland is $415,000, based on 93 home sales in the last 12 months (SmartMLS). Updated November 10, 2026.
What is the property tax rate in Portland, CT?
Portland's town-wide property tax rate is 36.36 mills (fiscal year 2027). Connecticut assesses homes at 70% of market value, so a median-priced home pays roughly $10,600 a year. Special taxing districts can add to this.
How far is Portland, CT from Hartford?
Portland is about 16 miles and a 27-minute drive from downtown Hartford, measured from the town center without traffic.
How far is Portland, CT from New York City?
Portland is about 106 miles from Midtown Manhattan, roughly a 154-minute drive without traffic.
What is the population of Portland, CT?
Portland has about 9,478 residents (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2024) and covers 23.4 square miles.
How many public schools are in Portland, CT?
Portland has 5 public schools in Portland School District. Which school serves an address depends on the district's boundaries, so confirm with the district.
How many homes are for sale in Portland, CT?
There are 10 homes for sale in Portland right now, per SmartMLS, as of November 10, 2026.
Is there a train station in Portland?
No station is listed near the town in our data.
How do I get from Portland to Middletown?
The Arrigoni Bridge crosses the Connecticut River between the two.
What are the Portland brownstone quarries?
They are a National Historic Landmark where brownstone was cut from the 1690s onward. The quarries flooded in 1936, and they now hold Brownstone Adventure Sports Park.
When was Portland incorporated?
Portland was incorporated in 1841 after being part of Chatham.
How far is Portland from Hartford and Bradley Airport?
Hartford is 16 miles and about 27 minutes by car. Bradley Airport is 29 miles and about 48 minutes.
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Towns that border Portland
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