RIVERTON

Diverse population interspersed with homes and businesses.
The area also includes several breweries, the municipal golf course and a campus of the University of New England.

Located in the northwest corner of Portland, Riverton generally consists of residential areas on both sides of outer Forest Avenue that stretch to the border with Westbrook.

More than 12 percent of its residents are black and another 12 percent are Hispanic or Latino, making Riverton one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.

The area’s amenities are diverse as well. It’s home to Riverton Park, a publicly subsidized housing community with 141 family apartments, as well as owner-occupied residential neighborhoods and retail, commercial and industrial sections. Slightly more than 20 percent of Riverton’s 5,500 residents were born in a foreign country, second only to East Bayside in that statistical category.

Riverton
A runner takes advantage of the quiet path through Evergreen Cemetery, located in the Riverton neighborhood’s southeast corner and bordered by Stevens Avenue in Deering Center. Whitney Hayward/Staff Photographer

Before breweries started cropping up in East Bayside, Riverton’s Industrial Way was the only place in town where several tasting rooms could be visited on foot. It remains a destination for beer lovers, with longtime local favorites such as Allagash Brewing Co. and popular newcomers like Austin Street Brewery.

Across the street from Industrial Way is the city’s Riverside Golf Course, which connects through a wooded trail to the Riverside Trolley Park.

Along Warren Avenue, which also leads into Westbrook, are big-box stores and industrial businesses.

In the neighborhood’s southeast corner, bordered by Stevens Avenue, is the expansive Evergreen Cemetery and a campus of the University of New England.

Renters make up about 42 percent of households in the neighborhood, where the average two-bedroom apartment is being offered at $1,422, less than the city average.

Household income, around $44,000, is also just below average for Portland.

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WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT RIVERTON

We asked Portlanders to describe their neighborhoods, and these are the words they used.

My neighborhood is an interesting place that's probably best known for the Riverton School. The people who live here are diverse. Our favorite neighborhood business is Taco Trio and when we have spare time we like to visit Riverton Trail Park for fun. Our neighborhood's best-kept secret is probably Riverton Trail Park. Rachel
My neighborhood is a great place that's probably best known for suburbs. The people who live here are family-oriented. Our favorite neighborhood business is Moran's Market and when we have spare time we like to visit Riverside Golf for fun. Our neighborhood's best-kept secret is probably that it existed. Was
My neighborhood is a quiet place that's probably best known for being family-friendly. The people who live here are diverse, ranging from young to old to rich to poor. Our favorite neighborhood business is Moran's Market and when we have spare time we like to visit the Riverton Branch library for fun. Our neighborhood's best-kept secret is probably the close proximity to the Portland Trails and trolley park. Meaghan