Neighborhood: 9th Ward

Neighborhood Overview

The Lower Ninth Ward, situated in the easternmost portion of New Orleans, is a community defined by its resilience, cultural richness, and ongoing journey of recovery. Bound by the Industrial Canal to the west, St. Bernard Parish to the east, the Mississippi River to the south, and Florida Avenue to the north, this historic neighborhood was one of the most devastated areas during Hurricane Katrina and has since become both a symbol of the storm's destruction and the community's determined spirit of rebirth.

Quick Facts

• Population: Approximately 4,500 residents (down from 14,000 pre-Katrina)
• Demographics: Predominantly African American (over 90%), with deep multi-generational roots
• Housing: Mix of historic shotgun homes, new sustainable construction, and vacant lots
• Historic Significance: Birthplace of influential musicians and cultural figures, center of civil rights activism, and site of significant Hurricane Katrina devastation and recovery efforts

Free Spaces

Lower 9th Ward Living Museum (Outdoor Exhibits & Front Porch Access)

1235 Deslonde St., New Orleans, LA 70117
While donations are welcome, the outdoor exhibits and murals around the museum are free to explore. They tell the story of the neighborhood before and after Hurricane Katrina — through art, photography, and oral history panels created by residents.

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Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Platform

Florida Ave. & Caffin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117
A short walk from the Lower 9th, this free wooden observation deck overlooks the restored cypress wetlands. Interpretive signs explain the importance of coastal restoration, and the view at sunset is one of the most serene in the city.

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Make It Right Homes (Sustainable Housing District)

Around Tennessee St. & Deslonde St., New Orleans, LA 70117
Take a self-guided walk through the neighborhood that became a global experiment in green rebuilding. The colorful, elevated homes — designed by world-class architects — show the evolution of post-Katrina design and community resilience.

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9th Ward Murals & Levee Wall Art Walk

North Claiborne Ave. & Tupelo St. to the Industrial Canal
Public murals here celebrate local legends, culture, and survival. The levee walls themselves are painted with community art and tributes to residents — a living outdoor gallery that honors both loss and strength.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

Lower 9th Ward, near Claiborne Ave. & Caffin Ave.
This open green space serves as a memorial to the civil rights movement and a community gathering site. It hosts annual MLK events and is a quiet place to reflect on how activism and resilience define the neighborhood’s history.