Neighborhood vs. Community — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 11, 2024
Neighborhood refers to a geographical area where people live close to each other, emphasizing location, while community focuses on a group of people with shared interests or values, highlighting social bonds.
Difference Between Neighborhood and Community
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A neighborhood typically denotes a specific geographic area, often defined by certain boundaries within a city or town. It's characterized by physical proximity among its residents. On the other hand, a community represents a group of people connected by common interests, values, or identity, regardless of their physical locations.
While neighborhoods are primarily defined by geographical factors and can be seen on a map, communities are formed through social interactions and shared experiences. Whereas the sense of belonging in a community comes from emotional or ideological ties, in a neighborhood, it may stem from shared local issues or proximity.
Neighborhoods often have a tangible aspect, with shared amenities like parks, schools, and local businesses that serve the residents. Communities, however, might share intangible elements such as beliefs, goals, or virtual spaces, transcending physical boundaries.
The concept of a neighborhood usually involves a sense of place and is often associated with residential areas. In contrast, a community can be widespread, encompassing people from different geographical locations united by a common cause or interest.
Neighborhoods can foster communities within them, as geographical closeness can lead to the development of social bonds. Conversely, members of a community might seek to live close to each other, creating neighborhoods based on shared community values.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
A geographical area where people live close to each other.
A group of people with shared interests or values.
Basis of Formation
Geographical proximity.
Shared interests, values, or identity.
Physical Presence
Yes, defined by physical boundaries.
Not necessarily, can exist without geographical confines.
Primary Connection
Proximity and shared local environment.
Emotional, ideological, or interest-based ties.
Examples
Suburbs, urban blocks, gated communities.
Online forums, religious groups, professional associations.
Compare with Definitions
Neighborhood
A residential area within a larger town or city.
She lives in a quiet neighborhood on the city's west side.
Community
A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
The local community came together to support the initiative.
Neighborhood
A sector grouped by similar social and economic conditions.
That neighborhood has seen a lot of development recently.
Community
A virtual network of individuals who share interests.
She found support in an online community for writers.
Neighborhood
The immediate vicinity around a person's home.
We organized a clean-up event in our neighborhood.
Community
A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
There’s a strong sense of community in online gaming forums.
Neighborhood
A district or community within a town or city.
The neighborhood is known for its historic buildings.
Community
A body of people or things viewed collectively.
The scientific community has made significant advancements in this area.
Neighborhood
The area surrounding a specific place or landmark.
The neighborhood around the park is very lively.
Community
A group of people with a common religion, race, or profession.
The art community in the city is very active.
Neighborhood
A district or area with distinctive characteristics
A neighborhood of fine homes.
A working-class neighborhood.
Community
A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g.
Neighborhood
The people who live near one another or in a particular district or area
The noise upset the entire neighborhood.
Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
Neighborhood
The surrounding area; vicinity
Happened to be in the neighborhood.
Community
The district or locality in which such a group lives.
Neighborhood
(Informal) Approximate amount or range
In the neighborhood of five million dollars.
Community
A group of people having common interests
The scientific community.
The international business community.
Neighborhood
Friendliness appropriate to a neighbor
A feeling of neighborhood.
Community
A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society
The gay community.
The community of color.
Neighborhood
(Mathematics) The set of points surrounding a specified point, each of which is within a certain, usually small distance from the specified point.
Community
Similarity or identity
A community of interests.
Neighborhood
The residential area near one's home.
He lives in my neighborhood.
Community
Sharing, participation, and fellowship
A sense of community.
Neighborhood
The inhabitants of a residential area.
The fire alarmed the neighborhood.
Community
Society as a whole; the public.
Neighborhood
A formal or informal division of a municipality or region.
We have just moved to a pleasant neighborhood.
Community
A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.
Neighborhood
An approximate amount.
He must be making in the neighborhood of $200,000 per year.
Community
The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms.
Neighborhood
The quality of physical proximity.
The slums and the palace were in awful neighborhood.
Community
(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.
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.
Community
(countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune.
Neighborhood
(dated) Close proximity; nearness.
Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.
Neighborhood
(obsolete) The disposition becoming a neighbor; neighborly kindness or good will.
Community
A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.
Neighborhood
(topology) Within a topological space:
Community
(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Neighborhood
A set containing an open set which contains some specified point.
Community
Common enjoyment or possession; participation.
A community of goods
Neighborhood
Alternatively: An open set which contains some specified point.
Community
Common character; likeness.
Neighborhood
(topology) Within a metric space:
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Neighborhood
A set containing an open ball which contains a specified point.
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.
Neighborhood
Alternatively: An open ball which contains some specified point.
Community
Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.
The original community of all things.
An unreserved community of thought and feeling.
Neighborhood
(topology) The infinitesimal open set of all points that may be reached directly from a given point.
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.
Neighborhood
(graph theory) The set of all the vertices adjacent to a given vertex.
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.
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.
Community
Common character; likeness.
The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth.
Neighborhood
A place near; vicinity; adjoining district; a region the inhabitants of which may be counted as neighbors; as, he lives in my neighborhood.
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Eyes . . . sick and blunted with community.
Neighborhood
The inhabitants who live in the vicinity of each other; as, the fire alarmed all the neiborhood.
Community
A group of people living in a particular local area;
The team is drawn from all parts of the community
Neighborhood
The disposition becoming a neighbor; neighborly kindness or good will.
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
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
Community
Common ownership;
They shared a community of possessions
Neighborhood
People living near one another;
It is a friendly neighborhood
My neighborhood voted for Bush
Community
A group of nations having common interests;
They hoped to join the NATO community
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
Community
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
Community
Agreement as to goals;
The preachers and the bootleggers found they had a community of interests
Community
A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences
Community
(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
Common Curiosities
How do communities form?
Communities form when individuals with shared interests, goals, or values come together, either in physical spaces or online.
How does one contribute to their neighborhood?
Contributions to a neighborhood can include participating in local events, supporting neighborhood businesses, or volunteering for local causes.
Can a neighborhood also be a community?
Yes, if the people living in the same geographical area share common interests or values, it can be both a neighborhood and a community.
What is the importance of neighborhoods?
Neighborhoods are important for providing a sense of place, fostering social interactions, and offering local amenities and services to residents.
Can you be part of multiple communities?
Yes, one can be part of multiple communities based on different interests, beliefs, or social connections.
Is a neighborhood defined by its architecture?
While architecture can influence a neighborhood's character, it's primarily defined by its geographic area and the people who live there.
Are online forums considered communities?
Yes, online forums where people with shared interests gather are considered communities.
What defines a good community?
A good community is often defined by active participation, mutual respect, shared values, and support among its members.
How do communities support their members?
Communities support their members through shared resources, emotional support, networking opportunities, and collective action.
What role do neighborhoods play in urban planning?
Neighborhoods are fundamental units of urban planning, influencing the allocation of resources, zoning decisions, and community services.
What impacts do neighborhoods have on its residents?
Neighborhoods can impact residents' quality of life, social interactions, and access to services and amenities.
What distinguishes a neighborhood association from a community group?
A neighborhood association typically focuses on local issues affecting a geographical area, while a community group may focus on broader interests or values shared by its members, regardless of where they live.
Can a community exist without a physical location?
Yes, communities can form around shared interests or goals, regardless of physical location, especially with the advent of digital communication.
How does one find a community?
Finding a community often involves seeking out groups or spaces, both physical and virtual, where shared interests or values are central.
Can communities have their own rules or norms?
Yes, communities often develop their own rules or norms to maintain harmony and support their shared values or goals.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Ambassador vs. Diplomat
Next Comparison
Albuterol vs. AtroventAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
