What is the poorest neighborhood in New Orleans?

New Orleans's neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You've got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there's a neighborhood for everyone in New Orleans.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it's not all rainbows and sunshine in New Orleans. Some neighborhoods aren't as great as others.

So the question arises, which New Orleans neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?

Today, we'll use science and data to determine which New Orleans hoods need a little tender loving care - the sore thumbs of the New Orleans area if you will. Realistically, you can't expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Audubon ranks way above the rest.

We examined 69 of New Orleans's neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don't quite measure up to New Orleans's reputation.

  1. Desire
  2. Viavant-Venetian Isles
  3. Tulane-Gravier
  4. Pines Village
  5. Florida
  6. Fischer Dev
  7. West Lake Forest
  8. Dixon
  9. Lower 9th Ward
  10. Gert Town

So what's the worst neighborhood to live in New Orleans for 2022? According to the most recent census data, Desire looks to be the worst neighborhood in New Orleans.

Read on to see how we determined the places around New Orleans that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don't blame the messenger.

Once you're done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best. Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of New Orleans.

For more Louisiana reading, check out:

  • Best Places To Live In Louisiana
  • Cheapest Places To Live In Louisiana
  • Most Dangerous Places In Louisiana

What is the poorest neighborhood in New Orleans?

The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In New Orleans For 2022

Should you desire to live in Desire? Well, it made this list, so you probably already have your answer. It's certainly an affordable part of town, with a median home price of just $26,725. As you can guess from that figure, though, life in Desire isn't exactly flush. Housing in the area is run down and there isn't much demand for local real estate.

The underlying problem comes from a disastrous economy. More than 1 out of every 7 residents is out of work. Even those with jobs scrape by with a median income of just $16,345.

Population: 2,629
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $26,725 (worst)
Median Income: $16,345 (2nd worst)
More on Desire:  Data

If you just heard the name, you'd probably be pretty excited to visit the Venetian Isles. Sounds like a getaway in a scenic part of Italy. And New Orleans' Venetian Isles does offer a mild taste of Venice. A bayou version, anyway.

See, homes sit on the water and residents tend to travel by boat. And if you're looking for more adventure, a quick trip will take you to the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.

These charms aside, though, the area presents its share of challenges. Most of these fall under the financial category. After all, it's tough to make your boat payments when unemployment rates run 10.2% and the median income stands at just $14,722.

Population: 983
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $93,750 (7th worst)
Median Income: $14,722 (worst)
More on Viavant-Venetian Isles:  Data

Given its name, you'd think Tulane-Gravier would have at least one major selling point: Tulane University. Nope. That well-regarded educational center lies about 10 minutes to the southwest. Still, the neighborhood does have its share of civic institutions. Specifically, the local landscape is dominated by the University Medical Center New Orleans.

All those doctors must live somewhere else. Otherwise, how can you explain Tulane-Gravier's $19,298 median income? The unemployment rate isn't much better, coming in at 6.9%. Home values are relatively low in the area, equaling a median level of $70,620. Still, given the low wages, this still prices many locals out of the market.

Population: 3,437
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 4)
Median Home Value: $70,620 (3rd worst)
Median Income: $19,298 (5th worst)
More on Tulane-Gravier:  Data

Someday, a real estate agent might try to sell you property in Pines Village. Based on the name, they might promise a quaint community nestled into a tranquil forested setting. If they do, don't fall for it. In actuality, there's little green space to be found in the Pines Village. Even the "village" part is kind of a hype. Just regular neighborhoods populated with similar one-story houses.

What that crooked real estate agent probably already knows is that Pines Village faces serious economic woes. Even the median home price of $119,375 lies beyond the means of many locals. That's thanks to the 7.2% unemployment rate and the $20,048 median income.

Population: 3,187
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $119,375 (15th worst)
Median Income: $20,048 (7th worst)
More on Pines Village:  Data

Not that Florida. This Florida isn't even by the water. Besides the false advertising there, this neighborhood features run-down homes and mediocre public schools. No wonder it lands on this list as the number 5 worst place to live in New Orleans for 2022.

In terms of amenities, things are fine. There are plenty of churches and the area has its share of restaurants. You've even got Odile Davis Park for a touch of green.

As you've probably guessed, though, the underlying problem here is economic. Like most of the neighborhoods on this list, Florida attracts little besides low-paying jobs. The median income hovers at just $17,125.

Population: 1,427
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $85,386 (4th worst)
Median Income: $17,125 (4th worst)
More on Florida:  Data

A small section on the south side of the Mississippi River, the Fischer Development Neighborhood sits within a curve of Highway 90. The unusually bureaucratic name comes from the fact this area was once home to a series of infamous low-income projects, known for raging crime and several high-profile murders.

A redevelopment program has since led to the demolition of many of these projects, but the overall economic problems still plague the neighborhood. Just look at the unemployment rate of 9.1%.

And housing in the area isn't even that affordable any more. Sure, the median home price comes in at just $95,667. That would be a steal in many cities in America. But when locals pull in a median income of just $21,098, that becomes a steep mortgage.

Population: 1,061
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $95,667 (8th worst)
Median Income: $21,098 (9th worst)
More on Fischer Dev:  Data

Despite its name, West Lake Forest sits on the east side of the city. It's pretty far from the action. In fact, it lies about as far from downtown as it does from the swamps of the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.

A short drive from Lake Pontchartrain, the neighborhood is bounded to the north by I-10 and on the south by Dwyer Rd. That access to travel is an important component...you may want an escape route, at least if you're looking for a good-paying job.

Finding jobs of any kind in the area poses a challenge. This dynamic leads to an unemployment rate of 9.2%. Meanwhile, wages are exceptionally low. The median income stands at $26,270.

Population: 4,260
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $114,375 (13th worst)
Median Income: $26,270 (19th worst)
More on West Lake Forest:  Data

Bordered on one side by I-10 and bisected by Highway 61, Dixon is a relatively easy trip from the tourist-trap parts of New Orleans. A 15-minute drive gets you to the French Quarter and a 10-minute ride will land you at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Still, don't go looking in Dixon for an Airbnb the next time you head to the Big Easy. The neighborhood is haunted by poverty. It suffers a median income of only $16,628 and an unemployment rate of 9.6%.

Population: 1,458
Rank Last Year: 6 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $66,100 (2nd worst)
Median Income: $16,628 (3rd worst)
More on Dixon:  Data

The Lower 9th Ward became nationally famous in 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Located just off the Mississippi River, in the far eastern part of the city, the neighborhood suffered significant flooding as a result of the storm. All this time later, the area is still struggling.

To be historically accurate, it faced significant problems even before Katrina hit. These underlying economic problems continue to afflict the residents. This includes a $25,937 median income and a 7.3% unemployment rate. Still, the community holds together, dotted by churches and sustained by a main drag along Claiborne Ave.

Population: 3,636
Rank Last Year: 7 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $104,867 (10th worst)
Median Income: $25,937 (17th worst)
More on Lower 9th Ward:  Data

Gert Town gets its name from a general store that dominated the area in the old days. It still has a strong commercial stamp, though the character of the neighborhood has been changing. Just as an example, the old Blue Plate Mayonnaise Factory now serves as an apartment complex.

Living in a former condiment manufacturing facility provides a pretty good metaphor for life in the area in general. Top-paying jobs are difficult to land. After all, the factories are all closed down, leaving locals have to find what accommodations they can. Just look at the 6.1% unemployment rate or the $19,409 median income.

Still, there are rays of light in Gert Town. For instance, the neighborhood provides a home to Xavier University of Louisiana.

Population: 4,082
Rank Last Year: 10 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $89,960 (5th worst)
Median Income: $19,409 (6th worst)
More on Gert Town:  Data

Methodology: How we determined the worst New Orleans neighborhoods in 2022

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in New Orleans:

  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one's willing to pay to live here)
  • High crime (Estimated)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a "Worst Score".

The neighborhood with the lowest "Worst Score" ranks as the worst neighborhood of New Orleans.

Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around New Orleans to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 69 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.

Summary: The Worst Neighborhoods Around New Orleans

Well there you have it -- the worst of the neighborhoods in New Orleans with Desire landing at the bottom of the pack.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in New Orleans aren't all bad. Audubon takes the cake as the best place to live in New Orleans.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more Louisiana reading, check out:

  • Richest Cities In Louisiana
  • Safest Places In Louisiana
  • Worst Places To Live In Louisiana

Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In New Orleans For 2022?

RankNeighborhoodPopulationHome ValueMedian Income
1 Desire 2,629 $26,725 $16,345
2 Viavant-Venetian Isles 983 $93,750 $14,722
3 Tulane-Gravier 3,437 $70,620 $19,298
4 Pines Village 3,187 $119,375 $20,048
5 Florida 1,427 $85,386 $17,125
6 Fischer Dev 1,061 $95,667 $21,098
7 West Lake Forest 4,260 $114,375 $26,270
8 Dixon 1,458 $66,100 $16,628
9 Lower 9th Ward 3,636 $104,867 $25,937
10 Gert Town 4,082 $89,960 $19,409
11 Treme' Lafitte 4,490 $126,860 $23,894
12 Us Naval Base 2,282 $92,233 $33,662
13 Whitney 2,259 $141,050 $28,523
14 Behrman 8,426 $105,762 $28,509
15 Seventh Ward 10,552 $133,465 $21,520
16 Central City 13,536 $124,444 $24,007
17 Saint Roch 6,398 $141,788 $23,281
18 Saint Claude 6,562 $156,929 $26,052
19 Mcdonogh 2,645 $124,700 $27,985
20 Saint Bernard Area 2,472 $106,033 $21,394
21 Holly Grove 5,815 $126,370 $24,190
22 Plum Orchard 4,123 $141,500 $20,764
23 Holy Cross 3,311 $139,643 $31,850
24 Pontchartrain Park 2,144 $161,700 $38,039
25 Gentilly Woods 3,156 $133,650 $39,818
26 Dillard 5,134 $142,675 $36,704
27 Read Blvd West 4,730 $145,300 $31,998
28 Saint Thomas 1,974 $115,700 $24,507
29 Tall Timbers-Brechtel 14,493 $127,233 $49,435
30 Saint Anthony 4,618 $151,180 $36,796
31 Bywater 3,515 $249,333 $43,515
32 Leonidas 7,185 $199,577 $33,035
33 Village De L'est 9,068 $102,414 $37,209
34 Milneburg 4,640 $160,462 $40,528
35 Read Blvd East 8,886 $196,500 $58,658
36 Little Woods 32,311 $163,592 $29,104
37 Lake Catherine 677 $226,800 $61,250
38 Freret 1,615 $211,467 $39,495
39 Mid-City 14,238 $188,660 $32,249
40 Gentilly Terrace 10,159 $168,785 $43,834
41 City Park 2,763 $275,600 $46,964
42 New Aurora-English Turn 6,495 $254,867 $76,446
43 Milan 5,229 $185,991 $37,566
44 Bayou Saint John 3,880 $254,380 $40,102
45 Lower Garden District 6,360 $341,467 $65,813
46 Old Aurora 18,186 $148,818 $57,192
47 Fairgrounds 5,442 $198,800 $46,480
48 Fillmore 5,653 $230,300 $62,306
49 Irish Channel 3,514 $271,280 $52,165
50 West End 4,058 $181,000 $59,060
51 Broadmoor 6,992 $255,933 $47,766
52 Lake Terrace And Oaks 1,435 $382,450 $116,810
53 Central Business District 2,584 $269,920 $58,873
54 East Riverside 2,921 $282,500 $53,862
55 Marigny 3,097 $355,550 $45,730
56 West Riverside 4,866 $382,857 $50,954
57 Navarre 2,902 $287,400 $65,049
58 Black Pearl 1,622 $429,100 $46,669
59 French Quarter 3,286 $470,483 $66,865
60 Lakewood 1,812 $472,767 $132,083
61 Algeirs Point 3,022 $285,800 $57,902
62 East Carollton 3,961 $386,800 $56,848
63 Lakeview 8,015 $356,393 $89,164
64 Touro 2,906 $522,400 $56,858
65 Lake Shore-Lake Vista 2,957 $440,800 $115,905
66 Marlyville-Fontainebleau 5,930 $341,450 $69,737
67 Garden District 2,072 $628,700 $136,916
68 Uptown 6,504 $444,700 $72,123
69 Audubon 16,424 $625,889 $98,953

Editor's Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don't freak out we updated this article for 2022. This is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in New Orleans.

What neighborhoods should I avoid in New Orleans?

Is New Orleans Safe?.
Desire. As few as the population is in this community of 2,629 people, there still exist pockets of corners with crime reports regularly. ... .
Central City. ... .
Seventh Ward. ... .
Florida. ... .
Saint Roch. ... .
Lower 9th Ward. ... .
West Lake Forest. ... .
Tremé/ Lafitte..

What should I avoid in New Orleans?

What Not to Do in New Orleans on Your 1st Visit.
Only visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras..
Picking up beads from the floor..
Staying in the French Quarter..
Walking alone at night..
Drinking from a glass bottle in public..
Eating at chain restaurants..
Sightseeing on a Monday..
Thinking voodoo giftshops sell the real thing..

What is the safest area to live in New Orleans?

Below are the five safest, most affordable neighborhoods in New Orleans to check out if you're hoping to call this city home!.
Central Business District..
Freret..
Gentilly Terrace..
Old Aurora..
West End..

What is the nicest part of New Orleans to live in?

Marigny and Bywater, adjacent to the French Quarter, offer a combo of hip and bohemian vibes, with trendy restaurants and funky shops. Wherever you choose to stay in New Orleans, you'll have a great time – but these are the very best neighborhoods to stay in and all the things to do and eat when you're there.