Neighborhood vs. Community: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on December 29, 2023
A neighborhood is a localized area within a town or city, while a community is a group of people with shared interests or values, possibly spread over a larger area.
Key Differences
A neighborhood refers to a specific geographic area, usually a part of a larger city or town, characterized by its physical proximity. In contrast, a community is defined more by social ties and shared interests than by physical boundaries.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Neighborhoods are often defined by certain physical attributes, like streets or landmarks. Communities, however, are formed through shared experiences, interests, or values, regardless of physical location.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
The concept of a neighborhood is typically limited to residential areas. A community can encompass a wider range, including virtual or professional groups, transcending geographical limitations.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
In a neighborhood, interaction among residents is often influenced by their physical closeness. Community interactions, on the other hand, are more about mutual support, shared goals, or common beliefs.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
The identity of a neighborhood is usually tied to its location and appearance. A community's identity is shaped by the collective identity and purpose of its members.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Physical Boundaries
Defined by physical proximity
Not limited by physical boundaries
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Scope
Typically residential areas
Can include virtual, professional, or interest-based groups
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Interaction
Influenced by physical closeness
Based on mutual support and shared goals
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Identity
Tied to location and appearance
Shaped by collective identity and purpose
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Neighborhood and Community Definitions
Neighborhood
A neighborhood can refer to the immediate vicinity around someone's home.
The children played in the neighborhood streets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Community
A community is a group of people united by common interests or values.
The online gaming community is very active.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Neighborhood
Neighborhoods can foster a sense of local community and belonging.
The neighborhood association organizes annual block parties.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Community
Community can refer to a group sharing a common geographic area, like a town.
The local community rallied to support the new library.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Neighborhood
A district or area with distinctive characteristics
A neighborhood of fine homes.
A working-class neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Community
Communities often form around shared experiences or backgrounds.
The immigrant community shares a unique cultural heritage.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Neighborhood
The people who live near one another or in a particular district or area
The noise upset the entire neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
Virtual communities connect people across distances via the internet.
She found a supportive community in an online forum.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Neighborhood
The surrounding area; vicinity
Happened to be in the neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
(Informal) Approximate amount or range
In the neighborhood of five million dollars.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
Friendliness appropriate to a neighbor
A feeling of neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of people having common interests
The scientific community.
The international business community.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
(Mathematics) The set of points surrounding a specified point, each of which is within a certain, usually small distance from the specified point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society
The gay community.
The community of color.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The residential area near one's home.
He lives in my neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The inhabitants of a residential area.
The fire alarmed the neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A formal or informal division of a municipality or region.
We have just moved to a pleasant neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
An approximate amount.
He must be making in the neighborhood of $200,000 per year.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The quality of physical proximity.
The slums and the palace were in awful neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The quality of being a neighbor, of living nearby, next to each-other; proximity.
Our neighborhood was our only reason to exchange hollow greetings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
(obsolete) The disposition becoming a neighbor; neighborly kindness or good will.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A set containing an open set which contains some specified point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
Alternatively: An open set which contains some specified point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
Common enjoyment or possession; participation.
A community of goods
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A set containing an open ball which contains a specified point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
Alternatively: An open ball which contains some specified point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A local area within a county or county borough which is the lowest tier of local government, usually represented by a community council or town council, which is generally equivalent to a civil parish in England.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
(topology) The infinitesimal open set of all points that may be reached directly from a given point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.
The original community of all things.
An unreserved community of thought and feeling.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
(graph theory) The set of all the vertices adjacent to a given vertex.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A body of people having common rights, privileges, or interests, or living in the same place under the same laws and regulations; as, a community of monks. Hence a number of animals living in a common home or with some apparent association of interests.
Creatures that in communities exist.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The quality or condition of being a neighbor; the state of being or dwelling near; proximity.
Then the prison and the palace were in awful neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.
Burdens upon the poorer classes of the community.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A place near; vicinity; adjoining district; a region the inhabitants of which may be counted as neighbors; as, he lives in my neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
Common character; likeness.
The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The inhabitants who live in the vicinity of each other; as, the fire alarmed all the neiborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Eyes . . . sick and blunted with community.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The disposition becoming a neighbor; neighborly kindness or good will.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of people living in a particular local area;
The team is drawn from all parts of the community
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A surrounding or nearby region;
The plane crashed in the vicinity of Asheville
It is a rugged locality
He always blames someone else in the immediate neighborhood
I will drop in on you the next time I am in this neck of the woods
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;
The Christian community of the apostolic age
He was well known throughout the Catholic community
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
People living near one another;
It is a friendly neighborhood
My neighborhood voted for Bush
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
The approximate amount of something (usually used prepositionally as in `in the region of');
It was going to take in the region of two or three months to finish the job
The price is in the neighborhood of $100
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A group of nations having common interests;
They hoped to join the NATO community
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A neighborhood is a distinct, localized area within a larger town or city.
She loves the friendly atmosphere of her neighborhood.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Community
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
Neighborhoods are often characterized by similar types of housing or demographics.
This neighborhood is known for its historic Victorian homes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Community
Agreement as to goals;
The preachers and the bootleggers found they had a community of interests
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Neighborhood
A neighborhood may have its own local businesses and amenities.
The neighborhood bakery is a popular meeting spot.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Community
A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Community
A community can be a support network offering assistance and solidarity.
The community came together to help families in need.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 12, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can communities be global?
Yes, communities, especially virtual ones, can be global.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is community always based on location?
No, communities can form around shared interests, not just location.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Do neighborhoods have formal boundaries?
Yes, neighborhoods often have defined geographical boundaries.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can a neighborhood be a community?
Yes, a neighborhood can form a community based on local connections.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can you belong to multiple communities?
Yes, individuals can be part of multiple communities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Are neighborhood interactions always positive?
Not necessarily, as neighborhoods can have diverse dynamics.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is a city considered a neighborhood?
A city is not a neighborhood, but it contains many neighborhoods.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Do all neighborhoods have a name?
Most neighborhoods are identified by a name or a title.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can a neighborhood change over time?
Yes, neighborhoods can evolve with changes in demographics and development.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Are neighborhood associations common?
Neighborhood associations are common in many areas, providing local governance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Are communities formed intentionally?
Communities can form both organically and intentionally.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is a sense of belonging stronger in a neighborhood or a community?
It varies, but communities based on shared values may offer stronger belonging.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Are online groups considered communities?
Yes, online groups are often recognized as virtual communities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can businesses be part of a community?
Yes, businesses can be integral to both local and interest-based communities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can a neighborhood have its own culture?
Yes, neighborhoods often develop their own unique cultures and traditions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can a community exist without a physical meeting place?
Yes, especially in the case of online or virtual communities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How do communities handle conflicts?
Conflict resolution in communities varies, often depending on the community's structure.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Do communities have leaders?
Some communities have formal leaders, while others are more collaboratively led.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Do neighborhoods affect property values?
Yes, the characteristics of a neighborhood can impact property values.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How important are shared activities in a community?
Shared activities are often crucial for community building and engagement.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.