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Bywater

Bywater

Neighborhood Reviews
2.7
$453,939 Average Value
$278 Average Price per Sq Ft
30 Homes For Sale

An eclectic downriver sliver of growing business

Downriver from the French Quarter, Bywater sits quietly on the crescent's edge. Once known for its artists and musicians, the riverfront neighborhood has developed considerably in recent decades. Housing stock hasn't changed much, but people and amenities have. New restaurants, bars and — this being New Orleans — music spots sit alongside beautiful old bungalows and shotguns. "If I had to describe Bywater in one word, it's 'eclectic,'" says Realtor Brittany Huenecke of Keller Williams Realty New Orleans. "It's very funky and colorful, and there's a huge art community."

Bywater is just down river from the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans.
Bywater is just down river from the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans.
Historical murals can be found throughout the Bywater.
Historical murals can be found throughout the Bywater.
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Old homes with new splashes of color

With roots in the 1700s, Bywater's long journey earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Built on deep, narrow lots, the neighborhood's countless Creole cottages, shotguns and Craftsman-style bungalows are often bigger than they look from the curb. Some homes date to the 1700s and 1800s, brightly painted and festively decorated all year long. While Bywater is a relatively expensive market for New Orleans, investments in need of light repairs can still be found for less than $200,000. But if looking to move in immediately, a buyer can expect to pay anywhere from $500,000 to over $1 million.

Double shotgun homes can be found throughout the Bywater.
Double shotgun homes can be found throughout the Bywater.
Large homes can be found when moving to the Bywater.
Large homes can be found when moving to the Bywater.
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Culinary meetups on every corner

"Bywater has a lot of really cool businesses within walking distance," Huenecke says. Truly a stronghold of trendy activities, places like Bratz Y’all Bistro and Pizza Delicious showcase the inventive meals and artworks made by New Orleanians. Others, like Bywater Bakery, offer meeting spots for the community. Bacchanal is a local favorite for tapas, wine and cheese boards, plus live music every night. Elizabeth's is the neighborhood gold standard for brunch and down-home Southern country dishes like cornbread waffles. And there are several art galleries to visit, such as JAMNOLA, which houses more than a dozen exhibits for local artists. For groceries, locals head west into the Marigny, where there's a Robért Fresh Market.

Bratz Y'all! Bistro is a traditional German beer garden in the Bywater.
Bratz Y'all! Bistro is a traditional German beer garden in the Bywater.
The New Orleans Food Cooperative is a great place to get groceries near the Bywater.
The New Orleans Food Cooperative is a great place to get groceries near the Bywater.
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A scenic promenade plans to expand

Crescent Park is a linear green space along the Mississippi River. Locals visit the repurposed industrial wharves for the scenic promenade, picnic spots and dog park. As of 2024, $15 million dollars has been earmarked by the city to expand Crescent Park into a continuous waterfront promenade extending all the way to the French Quarter. Bywater is also home to a few community gardens, such as Press Street Garden, and a playground at Mickey Markey Park.

The Rusty Rainbow Bridge will take you to the Crescent Park in the Bywater.
The Rusty Rainbow Bridge will take you to the Crescent Park in the Bywater.
Press Street Gardens is an urban farm and outdoor learning lab in the Bywater.
Press Street Gardens is an urban farm and outdoor learning lab in the Bywater.
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Folk art legends and Mari Gras traditions

Dr. Bob is a local legend whose folk art property in the Bywater is free and open to the public. Likewise, Music Box Village is a legendary DIY space filled with imaginative instruments and, on weekends, community markets featuring local artists. Needless to say, Carnival season — capped off with Mardi Gras — is big in the Bywater. Numerous parades run through the neighborhood, most with a small, neighborly feel compared to the mega floats upriver.

In the Bywater Dr. Bob’s Folk Art Workshop offers hundreds of pieces art at many price points.
In the Bywater Dr. Bob’s Folk Art Workshop offers hundreds of pieces art at many price points.
The Mardi Gras Indians are celebrated in the Bywater.
The Mardi Gras Indians are celebrated in the Bywater.
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Louisiana's best arts school

Most Bywater students spend grades K-12 at Morris Jeff Community School, the 6th-best public charter school in New Orleans, which has a B-plus Niche score. Some high schoolers attend the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, considered Louisiana's best high school for the arts. Niche gives the school a grade of A and ranks its teachers as the state's second-best.

Morris Jeff Community Elementary School opened its doors in 2010.
Morris Jeff Community Elementary School opened its doors in 2010.
NOCCA opened in 1973 as a professional arts training center for secondary school-age children.
NOCCA opened in 1973 as a professional arts training center for secondary school-age children.
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Trains versus automobiles

Walking through the Bywater, smelling the sweet scent of jasmine, is one of New Orleans' great sensations. Getting to the rest of the city is a bit harder, though, since the neighborhood is more downriver than most. The Number 88 bus passes through Bywater on St. Claude Avenue, but most locals rely on a car to get around. Finding parking can sometimes be a struggle, and the roads are home to plenty of potholes. Bikeshares are a speedy option on New Orleans' flat streets. Tracks for the city's famous streetcars have been mostly paved over. Active freight trains still run through the neighborhood's western edge, blaring their horns at all hours and, notably, creating a traffic jam whenever shipments pass through.

Many Bywater residents commonly ride bikes as everyday transportation.
Many Bywater residents commonly ride bikes as everyday transportation.
The Bywater is a very pet friendly neighborhood.
The Bywater is a very pet friendly neighborhood.
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Things to consider

History is alive in New Orleans, and the city intends to keep it that way. With that in mind, homebuyers should consider the area's restrictions on home improvements. "If you want to do any sort of rehabbing or updates, it will more than likely need to be approved by the Historic District Landmarks Commission, so it helps to have a reliable contact with them," Huenecke says. "There's hurdles for sure, but most people in these neighborhoods appreciate having that historic charm."

Tom Jakob
Written By
Tom Jakob
Andrew Williams
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Williams
Paris Lape
Video By
Paris Lape

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International

26 min drive

Bus

St Claude & Poland

Bus

St. Claude St. & Montegut St.

Bus

Poland & Prieur (Farside)

Bus

Poland & N. Claiborne

Bus

N. Robertson & Poland

Bus

Poland & Derbigny

Bus

N. Galvez & Mazant

Reviews

Niche Reviews
2.7 5 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
2/21/2015 Niche Review
Most of the neighborhood restaurants win rave reviews from people who watch the Food Network. From my 22-year professional perspective, however, most places get a resounding "meh." There are exceptions: the best barbecue in the city is right here (no contest). We also have my favorite concentration of dive bars within three square miles.
Are you familiar with the Bywater neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Bywater Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$545,000
Median Sale Price
$649,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$495,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$565,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$200,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
5%
Last 12 months Home Sales
69
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
49%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$278

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
632
Number of Homes for Sale
30
Median Year Built
2019
Months of Supply
5.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,533
Significantly below the national average
1,925
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,209
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,484

Open Houses

  • Tuesday, Sep 23
    11am - 1pm

    827 Clouet St, New Orleans, LA 70117

    $725,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,120 Sq Ft
    • 827 Clouet St
    • New 8 days ago

    Charming Creole Cottage in the Heart of the Bywater! Welcome to this enchanting Creole cottage nestled in the vibrant and artistic Bywater neighborhood—where curb appeal meets culture. Just steps from the buzz of Petite Clouet and new culinary hot spot Acamaya, and a short stroll to local favorites like Hotel Peter and Paul, Paladar 511, Faubourg Wine, Pepp’s Pub, Budsi’s Thai, and more, this

    MARGARET STEWART LATTER & BLUM (LATT07)

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  • Saturday, Sep 27
    12 - 2pm

    3328 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70117

    $789,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,130 Sq Ft
    • 3328 Dauphine St

    Stunning Bywater 2-story home buillt in 2016. Meticulously crafted and thoughtfully designed, this residence offers modern comfort with timeless New Orleans charm. Boasting 3 spacious independent bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, the home features soaring 12-foot ceilings, custom plaster medallions, and a grand archway that sets the tone for its refined style.The dramatic 2-story foyer

    Lane Lacoy LATTER & BLUM (LATT09)

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,769
Median Age
44
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$48,615
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$77,065

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.8%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
51.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.8%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
67''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

68 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

36 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

33 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Bywater
Eric Wilkinson
FQR Realtors
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