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Bywater

Bywater

Suburban Neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana

Orleans Parish 70117

Neighborhood Reviews
2.7
$447,070 Average Value
$286 Average Price per Sq Ft
24 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:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Diana Parsons, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

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
Police precinct just left the neighborhood, so they are no longer visible sitting in their cars at the station, eating and talking, harassing bicyclists and non-white neighbors. We never got responses to requests for help from them, regardless how close or how urgent the call. At least now we don't have to be visibly reminded that they're ignoring us.
Are you familiar with the Bywater neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Bywater US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$420,000
Median Single Family Price
$440,000
Median Townhouse Price
$549,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$470,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$269,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$286
Number of Homes for Sale
24
Last 12 months Home Sales
89
Months of Supply
3.20
Median List Price
$499,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-12%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
574
Median Year Built
1979
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,567
Below the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,196
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,484

Open Houses

  • Tuesday, Apr 29
    4:30 - 6:30pm

    714 Bartholomew St, New Orleans, LA 70117

    $490,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,494 Sq Ft
    • 714 Bartholomew St
    • New 24 days ago

    Greeted upon entering by historic custom millwork, Art Deco chandeliers, wide-plank hardwood floors, large wood windows glowing in the sunlight, and voluminous space with soaringly high ceilings, this Bywater home exudes tons of charm and has been lovingly updated with all the modern creature comforts. This turn-of-the-century double was converted into a glorious single family

    Stephanie Murray REVE, REALTORS

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    10 - 11:30am

    626 Gallier St, New Orleans, LA 70117

    $799,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,541 Sq Ft
    • 626 Gallier St

    The Bywater neighborhood is filled with vibrant art and creative energy, and this beautiful home at 626 Gallier St. embodies that amazing spirit. From its historic 1851 roots to a thoughtful modern expansion in 2016, every detail speaks to the soul.The pièce de résistance of this amazing property is a lush backyard sanctuary featuring an extraordinary, life-sized mural by renowned artist Andrew

    Lisa Fury REVE, REALTORS

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    10am - 12pm

    817 Clouet St, New Orleans, LA 70117

    $475,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,307 Sq Ft
    • 817 Clouet St

    Just steps away from Petite Clouet, Pizza Delicious, Country Club, Alma, Marigny Opera House, Satsuma....the list goes on in this fabulously prime and walkable Bywater location! This historic cottage features 3 independent bedrooms and 2 full baths with new roof and lots of other recent repairs and improvements. Enormous yard is like having a park in your backyard! Charming New Orleans block

    Sissy Blewster REVE, REALTORS

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Diana Parsons, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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