Downtown Boston includes
Downtown Crossing, the
Financial District and
Government Center. and the neighboring City of
Cambridge across the Charles River 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 is west of the
Public Garden, and
Beacon Hill 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 Hispanics, Brazilians, and young professionals, with a remnant of older Italians, and is 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 home 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, but with rapidly growing African American, Middle Eastern and Latino populations. ==List of places and squares within neighborhood areas==