Real Estate Column: How school districts affect housing prices

By Jeff Wiren, Principal Broker, Premiere Property Group, LLC for the Sherwood Sun

SHERWOOD, Ore. — I remember my first property tax bill after we approved the Bond Measure that included the building of the new High School here in Sherwood. Even though I voted for it and knew it was coming, when I got the first tax statement it still hit me like a punch in the gut. Fast forward a few years now that my youngest son has graduated after attending all four years at the new High School, and I am so thankful that our community made that commitment when we did.

Regardless of how you felt about that at the time, one thing is for certain: location has always mattered in real estate and schools are one of the most important factors in that equation. Strong schools are reflective of strong communities.

Communities where parents volunteer and where people are willing to open their front door and make a donation to hear a group of 4 high schoolers play a random song on their front porch during Band Day. This community support creates confidence among students, and that confidence translates into academic results. Sherwood boasts a graduation rate of 97% in 2025 compared to an 83% average for the State of Oregon, and students consistently perform above average in English and Math.

So, what does all of this have to do with housing values? While the relationship between schools and home prices is not a straight line, strong schools help create the conditions that support long-term housing demand.

According to market data, Sherwood’s median sales price growth over the past 5 years has been 25% which is 6th place when compared to other Portland Metro area suburbs. However, it has been consistent over time, and the homeownership rate in Sherwood is 74% compared to 63% for the State of Oregon. Another interesting fact is that according to Portland Monthly, 45% of the households in Sherwood have children under the age of 18 compared to only 26.4% of households in the State of Oregon. Strong schools are not the only reason for these statistics, but they are a significant factor.

I can confirm that in my own real estate business I consistently meet buyers who have already decided that Sherwood is the community they want to move to because of the schools and the community support that they will have for their children.

Hopefully, at this point I have made a compelling argument for why our schools in
Sherwood are important to you as a homeowner. If so, then you may naturally want to know what to do with this information other than just wait to cash in when you sell your home someday.

Here is what you can do:

1. Support our schools by attending sporting events, concerts, and theatre
   programs.
2. Volunteer to help in the classroom, library assistance, or career day
   presentations.
3. Attend school board meetings and be informed.
4. Participate in fundraisers for the various clubs and organizations at the schools!

The lesson for me is that strong schools don't happen by accident. They happen when you and I are willing to invest our time, talent, and treasure and stay involved. As homeowners, we benefit from that investment through stronger neighborhoods, sustained housing demand, and a community that families are proud to call home.

The bottom line is that people don't move to Sherwood simply because of test scores — or because our high school seems large enough to have its own zip code. They move here because they see a community that cares about its children.

As always, if you have a Realtor® that you know and trust, then you are blessed! If not, please let me know how I can help you with any of your real estate questions or needs.