page_title: Neighborhoods in Boston
section_title: Geographic overview
hierarchical_section_title: Neighborhoods in Boston / Geographic overview
caption_attribution_description: Aerial view of Back Bay, Boston including the Prudential Center and John Hancock Tower
context_page_description: Boston's diverse neighborhoods serve as a political and cultural organizing mechanism. The City of Boston's Office of Neighborhood Services has designated 23 Neighborhoods in the city:
  Allston
  Back Bay
  Bay Village
  Beacon Hill
  Brighton
  Charlestown
  Chinatown/Leather District
  Dorchester
  Downtown
  East Boston
  Fenway Kenmore
  Hyde Park
  Jamaica Plain
  Mattapan
  Mission Hill
  North End
  Roslindale
  Roxbury
  South Boston
  South End
  West End
  West Roxbury
  The islands in Boston Harbor are administered as part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.
  The Boston Redevelopment Authority, the City Parking Clerk, and the City's Department of Neighborhood Development have also designated their own neighborhoods. Unofficially, Boston has many overlapping neighborhoods of various sizes. Neighborhood associations have formed around smaller communities or commercial districts that have a well-defined center but poorly identified extremities.
context_section_description: Downtown Boston includes Downtown Crossing, the Financial District, and Government Center.
  Surrounding downtown are the neighborhoods of Chinatown/Leather District, South End, North End, West End, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay. Chinatown/Leather District is the historical garment district and today has thriving Chinese and other Asian populations. The South End is the center of the city's LGBT population and also populated by artists and young professionals as well as a vibrant African American community. The North End retains an Italian flavor with its many Italian restaurants, though many of its Italian families have moved out, while young professionals have moved in.  The Back Bay, west of the Public Garden and Beacon Hill, a wealthy neighborhood, is the site of the Massachusetts State House. The Back Bay and Beacon Hill are also home to national and local politicians, famous authors, and top business leaders and professionals. Bay Village is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Boston and mostly contains Greek Revival-style row houses.
  North and east of downtown are the neighborhoods of East Boston and Charlestown. East Boston has a majority of Hispanic, Brazilian, and young professional population with a remnant of older Italians and is primarily the site of Logan International Airport. On the north bank of the Charles River is Charlestown; once a predominantly Irish enclave and site of the Bunker Hill Monument, it is now a haven for young professionals.
  West of downtown are the neighborhoods of Fenway Kenmore, Allston, Brighton, Longwood and Mission Hill. Fenway Kenmore borders the campus of Boston University and houses many college students and young professionals and is the location of Fenway Park. Allston and Brighton are populated heavily by students from nearby universities, as well as recent graduates. Mission Hill is an ethnically diverse neighborhood, adjacent to the Longwood area, which is full of world-class medical institutions.
  South of downtown are the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Mid Dorchester, and South Boston. Dorchester, including Mid Dorchester, is Boston's largest neighborhood and predominantly a working class community considered to be Boston's most diverse. Roxbury is populated largely by African Americans, Caribbean Americans, and Latinos and is historically the center of Boston's black community. Jamaica Plain is a community of white professionals and Latinos, and includes the larger side of the Arnold Arboretum. South Boston is a predominantly Irish-American neighborhood, which hosts the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
  South of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Dorchester are the neighborhoods of Mattapan, Roslindale, Hyde Park, and West Roxbury. Roslindale is known for its small business district and includes the smaller side of the Arnold Arboretum. Roslindale has also recently become a majority-minority neighborhood. Mattapan remains the neighborhood with Boston's highest concentrations of African Americans. Hyde Park and West Roxbury have a distinct suburban feel, while still being a part of the city of Boston. Both neighborhoods have large areas of wooded parks and recreation land. Hyde Park is populated largely by African Americans and Caribbean Americans, whereas West Roxbury is predominantly white with rapidly growing African American and Latino populations.
caption: Aerial view of the Back Bay and the neighboring City of Cambridge across the Charles River
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