At a glance
| Typical home value | $667,000 (+9.4% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Peninsula south of downtown, off the west bank of the St. Johns River |
| Water | St. Johns River to the east; Ortega River to the north and west |
| Main roads | Roosevelt Boulevard (US 17) and Ortega Boulevard (SR 211) |
| Sections | Old Ortega east of US 17; Ortega Forest to the west |
| National Register | Old Ortega Historic District, listed 2004, 597 historic buildings |
| ZIP code | 32210 |
Where Ortega is and how you get in
Ortega was once an island. A land bridge at its southern end now carries Roosevelt Boulevard (US 17), which splits the peninsula: the older area east of the road is Old Ortega, and the newer streets to the west are Ortega Forest. From the north, Ortega Boulevard (SR 211) crosses the Ortega River on a two-lane bascule bridge built in 1927 and connects toward Avondale.
Ortega uses ZIP 32210, which also covers Lake Shore and the 103rd Street area. Stockton Park on Ortega Boulevard and Timuquana Park are on the city's parks list for this ZIP.
What the homes are like
Ortega was financed as a development in 1902, and the last big building boom came in the 1920s. Housing varies by section:
- Riverfront: large estates along the St. Johns and Ortega rivers.
- Ortega Point: older wood-frame and Tudor houses around Bettes Park.
- The historic district: more modest wood-frame homes from the early 1900s.
- Ortega Terrace: larger stone and brick houses in mixed styles toward the south of the peninsula.
- Venetia: a 1925 Mediterranean-themed plan whose entrance gates still stand, though the full resort plan was never built.
Older homes need a thorough inspection and permit history. Our Florida home inspection checklist lists what to ask for.
Ortega home prices
Zillow's typical value for Ortega was $666,955 in August 2026, up 9.4%, and Ortega Forest was $628,654, up 7.6%. Both moved against the citywide trend, since Jacksonville fell 0.8%. The 32210 ZIP as a whole was $222,701, down 2.1%, because it includes very different neighborhoods. A typical value can swing when few homes sell, so compare actual sales on the same street, and read the Jacksonville housing market report for days to pending and price cuts.
Is Ortega a historic district?
Part of it is on the National Register. The Old Ortega Historic District, east of US 17 and north of Verona Boulevard, was listed in 2004. National Register listing is recognition; the City of Jacksonville's Certificate of Appropriateness review applies to its local historic districts and local landmarks. The districts on the city's lookup page are Riverside Avondale with St Johns Quarter, and Springfield, so check any Ortega address on the city's land development map with the Historic layer on in case the building is a local landmark.
Flood zones and schools
With rivers on most sides, many Ortega parcels can fall in FEMA's high-risk A or AE zones, where federally backed mortgages require flood insurance. Pull the flood zone and any elevation certificate, ask for the seller's flood disclosure and quote insurance early, since a new NFIP policy usually starts 30 days after purchase. Our Jacksonville flood zone guide explains the zones.
Duval County Public Schools assigns schools by address. In the state's 2025-26 grades, John Stockton and Venetia elementaries received an A, while Ortega Elementary and Lake Shore Middle received a C. Confirm the zoned school and see the Jacksonville schools guide for magnet options.
Common questions
How much are homes in Ortega, Jacksonville?+
Zillow's typical home value for Ortega was $666,955 in August 2026, up 9.4% in a year. Ortega Forest, west of Roosevelt Boulevard, was $628,654, up 7.6%. Riverfront estates and small early 1900s houses sit in the same neighborhood, so compare recent sales on the same street before judging a price.
Is Ortega in a historic district?+
The Old Ortega Historic District, east of US 17 and north of Verona Boulevard, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and has 597 historic buildings. The city's Certificate of Appropriateness rules apply to local historic districts and local landmarks, so check the specific address on the city's historic map.
Is Ortega in a flood zone?+
Ortega parcels can fall in FEMA high-risk flood zones because the peninsula is bordered by the St. Johns and Ortega rivers, and the zone can change from lot to lot. Look up the exact address on the FEMA flood map, ask for an elevation certificate and the seller's flood disclosure, and get an insurance quote during your inspection period.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ortega (Jacksonville)
- Zillow Research: Home value data (ZHVI, August 2026)
- City of Jacksonville: All parks (addresses)
- City of Jacksonville: Certificate of Appropriateness process
- City of Jacksonville: Historic district search by address
- FloodSmart (FEMA): What is my flood zone?
- FloodSmart (FEMA): Buy a flood insurance policy (30-day wait)
- Florida Statutes 689.302: Flood disclosure in the sale of residential property
- Florida Department of Education: 2025-26 school grades (released September 2026)
- Duval County Public Schools: School choice options