New Orleans Neighborhoods and Planning Districts
The geography of New Orleans is a complex tapestry of historic designations and modern administrative boundaries. In 1980, the city planning commission established a formal structure to organize the city into 13 planning districts and 73 distinct neighborhoods. While the number of neighborhoods has fluctuated in official studies—reaching 76 in October 2001 based on census data—the figure of 73 remains the most widely accepted standard among researchers, journalists, and local neighborhood associations.
These boundaries were designed primarily for governmental planning and zoning purposes. To maintain administrative consistency, the commission ensured that neighborhood lines did not cross United States census tract boundaries. Consequently, while many of these designations align with traditional local identities, some official names are rarely used by residents, while other historic boundaries differ from the current planning maps.
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Key Facts
- Administrative Structure: The city is divided into 13 planning districts and 73 recognized neighborhoods.
- Zoning Logic: Boundaries are drawn to avoid crossing U.S. census tract lines for planning efficiency.
- Geographic Split: The city is broadly categorized into the East Bank and the West Bank.
- Historic Overlap: Traditional divisions, such as the 17 Wards and the Canal Street axis, coexist with official planning districts.
The East Bank
The East Bank contains the majority of the city's historic core and residential expansions. It is subdivided into several key areas:
French Quarter and Central Business District (Districts 1a & 1b)
This area includes the French Quarter (also known as Vieux Carré) and the Central Business District (CBD), serving as the city's primary commercial and tourist hub.
Central City and Garden District Area (District 2)
A diverse region encompassing the Garden District, Lower Garden District, Irish Channel, Central City, East Riverside, Milan, St. Thomas, Touro, Faubourg Lafayette, and Faubourg Livaudais.
Uptown and Carrollton Area (District 3)
This district includes Uptown, East and West Carrollton, Audubon (University), Black Pearl, Broadmoor, Dixon, Freret, Hollygrove, Leonidas (West Carrollton), Fontainebleau (Marlyville), and West Riverside.
Mid-City Area (District 4)
Mid-City features a mix of residential and cultural sites, including Bayou St. John, Fairgrounds, Gert Town, Zion City, Parkview, the Seventh Ward, Tremé/Lafitte, and Tulane/Gravier. It also includes the Iberville Development, built on the site of the former Storyville neighborhood, and the B.W. Cooper and St. Bernard Projects.
Lakeview and Gentilly Areas (Districts 5 & 6)
The Lakeview area consists of Lakeview, Lakeshore/Lake Vista, Lakewood, City Park, West End, Navarre, and Country Club Gardens. The Gentilly area includes Gentilly Terrace, Gentilly Woods, Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks, Pontchartrain Park, Dillard, Filmore, Milneburg, and St. Anthony.
Marigny, Bywater, and the Ninth Ward (Districts 7 & 8)
District 7 covers Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, St. Claude, St. Roch, the Desire Area (including Abundance Square), the Florida Area/Projects, and the Musicians' Village. District 8 comprises the Lower Ninth Ward and Holy Cross.
Eastern New Orleans (Districts 9, 10, & 11)
This expansive region includes New Orleans East (District 9) with neighborhoods like Read Boulevard East/West, West Lake Forest, Little Woods (Edge Lake), Pines Village, and Plum Orchard. District 10 contains Village de L'Est and Michoud, while District 11 covers Viavant/Venetian Isles and Lake Catherine.
The West Bank
Separated from the East Bank by the Mississippi River, the West Bank is primarily organized into two districts:
Algiers Area (District 12)
This district includes Algiers Point, the U.S. Naval Support Area, Behrman, McDonogh (formerly McDonoghville), Tall Timbers/Brechtel, and the Fischer Housing Development. It also features Aurora (Old Aurora), which includes Huntlee Village and Walnut Bend, and New Aurora, which encompasses River Park, Cut Off, and Lower Coast Algiers.
English Turn Area (District 13)
The furthest reach of the city's planning districts, consisting of the English Turn area.
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Summary of Planning Districts
| District | Primary Area/Region | Notable Neighborhoods |
|---|---|---|
| 1a & 1b | French Quarter / CBD | Vieux Carré, Central Business District |
| 2 | Central City / Garden District | Garden District, Irish Channel, Milan |
| 3 | Uptown / Carrollton | Audubon, Freret, Hollygrove |
| 4 | Mid-City | Tremé, Bayou St. John, Seventh Ward |
| 5 & 6 | Lakeview / Gentilly | City Park, Pontchartrain Park, Lakeview |
| 7 & 8 | Marigny / Lower 9th Ward | Bywater, Holy Cross, St. Roch |
| 9, 10, 11 | Eastern New Orleans | Village de L'Est, New Orleans East |
| 12 & 13 | West Bank | Algiers Point, English Turn |
Traditional and Historic Divisions
Beyond official planning districts, New Orleans residents often use traditional identifiers that do not always align with government maps. A primary example is the 19th-century division of the city along Canal Street, which splits the city into downtown and uptown.
Historically separate towns, such as Algiers and Carrollton, are now referred to as neighborhoods but retain their distinct identities. Similarly, the area east of the Industrial Canal is broadly termed "Eastern New Orleans," though "New Orleans East" typically refers to a specific subset of that region.
The city also utilizes a system of Wards. Established in 1805 with seven wards, the system has grown to 17. These wards serve as significant cultural identifiers, particularly with the rise of bounce music and the recognition of distinct local dialects. Socially, residents often categorize these wards as being either "uptown" or "downtown."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many official neighborhoods are in New Orleans?
While the City Planning Commission increased the number to 76 in 2001, most planners, researchers, and journalists widely adopt the number of 73 neighborhoods.
Why do some official neighborhood boundaries differ from traditional ones?
The City Planning Commission designed boundaries for zoning and governmental planning to ensure they did not cross United States census tract boundaries, which sometimes conflicts with traditional local usage.
What is the difference between the East Bank and the West Bank?
The East Bank contains the historic core, the French Quarter, and the majority of the city's districts (1-11), while the West Bank consists of the Algiers and English Turn areas (Districts 12-13).
What are the Wards of New Orleans?
The Wards are a historic system of city division created in 1805. There are currently 17 wards, which often serve as cultural and social identifiers for residents rather than just administrative boundaries.
Which neighborhood was built on the site of Storyville?
The Iberville Development in the Mid-City area (District 4) was constructed on the site of the infamous Storyville neighborhood.