Instead of being guided by labels such as “tourist district”, “commercial area”, “peripheral district”, which do not provide much precision, it is better to present the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires according to other criteria.
Size and population density are valid criteria when explaining to a foreigner or non-resident how the population is distributed in Buenos Aires. Perhaps, the analysis of other variables beyond tourism and accommodation can help you decide which neighborhood or area of the City of Buenos Aires is most convenient for you.
Communes or neighborhoods?
The City of Buenos Aires is organized into 15 Communes that are governed by Law 1,777, passed in 2005. These are decentralized units of political and administrative management that, in some cases, cover more than one Buenos Aires neighborhood.
The Communes have exclusive and concurrent powers with the City Government. Among the former are the maintenance of secondary roads and green spaces, the administration of their assets, legislative initiatives, and the preparation of their budget and government program.
Although the neighborhoods are delimited on the maps of the City, the administrative organization arranges them under the category of communes. Therefore, the censuses and surveys are carried out taking the organization in communes as an axis.
What was the last population census in Buenos Aires?
The last population census in Buenos Aires (and in Argentina) organized by INDEC took place in 2022. This survey has been carried out since 1869, and uninterruptedly every ten years in the last six decades.
After the 2010 census, the last population and housing survey was to take place in 2020. However, the Coronavirus pandemic and preventive measures forced the census to be postponed to 2022.
Analysis of the neighborhoods and communes of the City of Buenos Aires
The data presented in this article correspond to the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and its 15 communes. Remember that the Province of Buenos Aires corresponds to another political and administrative jurisdiction.
| Commune | Neighborhoods | Population 2010 | Population 2022 | Relative Variation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commune 1 | Retiro, San Nicolás, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, Montserrat, Constitución | 205,886 | 223,554 | 8.6 |
| Commune 2 | Recoleta | 157,932 | 161,645 | 2.4 |
| Commune 3 | Balvanera, San Cristóbal | 187,537 | 196,240 | 4.6 |
| Commune 4 | La Boca, Barracas, Parque Patricios, Nueva Pompeya | 218,245 | 229,240 | 5.0 |
| Commune 5 | Almagro, Boedo | 179,005 | 194,271 | 8.5 |
| Commune 6 | Caballito | 176,076 | 203,043 | 15.3 |
| Commune 7 | Flores, Parque Chacabuco | 220,591 | 215,896 | -2.1 |
| Commune 8 | Villa Soldati, Villa Riachuelo, Villa Lugano | 187,237 | 204,367 | 9.1 |
| Commune 9 | Liniers, Mataderos, Parque Avellaneda | 161,797 | 169,063 | 4.5 |
| Commune 10 | Villa Real, Monte Castro, Versalles, Floresta, Vélez Sarsfield, Villa Luro | 166,022 | 173,004 | 4.2 |
| Commune 11 | Villa General Mitre, Villa Devoto, Villa del Parque, Villa Santa Rita | 189,832 | 204,601 | 7.8 |
| Commune 12 | Coghlan, Saavedra, Villa Urquiza, Villa Pueyrredón | 200,116 | 236,887 | 18.4 |
| Commune 13 | Núñez, Belgrano, Colegiales | 231,331 | 264,385 | 14.3 |
| Commune 14 | Palermo | 225,970 | 248,635 | 10.0 |
| Commune 15 | Chacarita, Villa Crespo, La Paternal, Villa Ortúzar, Agronomía, Parque Chas | 182,574 | 196,876 | 7.8 |
Neighborhoods with the Highest Number of Inhabitants
The northern area of Buenos Aires has the highest population levels. The neighborhoods of Palermo, Colegiales, Belgrano, and Núñez are the most populous in the city, and they have also seen significant population growth over the past 12 years.
The central-western area of Buenos Aires, particularly the neighborhoods within Commune 11, Caballito, and the area encompassing Flores and Parque Chacabuco, also stands out for its high population numbers.
In the southern part of Buenos Aires, a high concentration of residents can be found in Commune 4, which includes the neighborhoods of La Boca, Barracas, Parque Patricios, and Nueva Pompeya.
Neighborhoods with the Fewest Inhabitants
Commune 2, which consists solely of the Recoleta neighborhood, has the lowest number of inhabitants in absolute terms, followed by Communes 9 (southwestern Buenos Aires) and 10 (western Buenos Aires).
Neighborhoods with the Most Population Growth
The northern area of Buenos Aires shows the greatest population growth, largely due to the expansion of real estate projects and office spaces in neighborhoods like Coghlan, Saavedra, Palermo, Núñez, and Belgrano, among others.
Special mention goes to the Caballito neighborhood (Commune 6), which ranks among the areas with the most significant population increase.
The largest communes in Buenos Aires in terms of square kilometers are Communes 4, 8, 1, and 9. Except for Commune 1, which is the political, administrative, and tourist center of Buenos Aires (San Telmo, Puerto Madero, Retiro, San Nicolás, Monserrat, Constitución), the remaining communes belong to the southern area of the city and are characterized by low population density (few inhabitants relative to the total area).
Some neighborhoods, such as Recoleta, Caballito, Belgrano, and the iconic Palermo, also have a large territory in square kilometers, making a significant impact within their respective communes.
Population Density in Buenos Aires
Data shows that the highest population density in Buenos Aires is concentrated in Communes 3, 5, and 6. These neighborhoods are located in the heart of Buenos Aires, with Avenida Rivadavia serving as a central reference point.
Population density also reveals that communes and neighborhoods in the southern part of Buenos Aires, despite their large territorial size, have relatively low population density. This is another example of the unequal development between the northern and southern parts of the city.
The neighborhoods with the highest absolute number of inhabitants, mainly in northern Buenos Aires, have an average population density. This is because they cover a significant area and have a population level that is not as dense as in the central areas of Buenos Aires.
It’s important to note that certain communes, such as Commune 14 (Palermo) and Commune 2 (Recoleta), while not having as many inhabitants compared to other communes, represent only one neighborhood each, whereas other communes include and count the population of multiple neighborhoods.
| Commune | Neighborhoods | Area in km² | Total Population (2022) | Density (inhabitants per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commune 1 | Retiro, San Nicolás, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, Montserrat, Constitución | 17.9 | 223,554 | 12,489.1 |
| Commune 2 | Recoleta | 6.3 | 161,645 | 25,657.9 |
| Commune 3 | Balvanera, San Cristóbal | 6.4 | 196,240 | 30,662.5 |
| Commune 4 | La Boca, Barracas, Parque Patricios, Nueva Pompeya | 22.7 | 229,240 | 10,098.7 |
| Commune 5 | Almagro, Boedo | 6.7 | 194,271 | 28,995.7 |
| Commune 6 | Caballito | 6.9 | 203,043 | 29,426.5 |
| Commune 7 | Flores, Parque Chacabuco | 12.4 | 215,896 | 17,411.0 |
| Commune 8 | Villa Soldati, Villa Riachuelo, Villa Lugano | 22.5 | 204,367 | 9,083.0 |
| Commune 9 | Liniers, Mataderos, Parque Avellaneda | 16.6 | 169,063 | 10,184.5 |
| Commune 10 | Villa Real, Monte Castro, Versalles, Floresta, Vélez Sarsfield, Villa Luro | 12.6 | 173,004 | 13,730.5 |
| Commune 11 | Villa General Mitre, Villa Devoto, Villa del Parque, Villa Santa Rita | 14.1 | 204,601 | 14,510.7 |
| Commune 12 | Coghlan, Saavedra, Villa Urquiza, Villa Pueyrredón | 15.7 | 236,887 | 15,088.3 |
| Commune 13 | Núñez, Belgrano, Colegiales | 15.0 | 264,385 | 17,625.7 |
| Commune 14 | Palermo | 15.9 | 248,635 | 15,637.4 |
| Commune 15 | Chacarita, Villa Crespo, La Paternal, Villa Ortúzar, Agronomía, Parque Chas | 14.3 | 196,876 | 13,767.6 |
Factors Influencing Population Distribution in Buenos Aires
The Historical North-South Divide
The development of northern Buenos Aires has always surpassed that of the southern area, with Avenida Rivadavia often considered the dividing line. This disparity dates back to the early 20th century when wealthy families moved from the south to the north to escape overcrowding and disease outbreaks caused by poor living conditions.
Various government initiatives have aimed to narrow the development gap between the north and south, with varying degrees of success. For example, the Buenos Aires city government offices were relocated to the Parque Patricios neighborhood as a demonstration of commitment to the southern area.
Additionally, housing loans and tax incentives have been offered to encourage development in the southern part of the city.
The differences between the north and south are evident not only in the buildings and architecture but also in security levels, commercial activity, and even the ease of accessing public transportation.
Housing Prices
Housing prices, both for renting and purchasing, play a significant role in population distribution. The disparity between supply and demand, exacerbated by local and national legislative issues, has contributed to the high cost of living in Buenos Aires.
When searching for a property in Buenos Aires, people often start by looking in the north. If unsuccessful, they may consider neighborhoods in the central or western areas, and only as a last resort do they look towards the south.
Security concerns and public transportation challenges in Greater Buenos Aires also drive many people to seek housing within the city itself, further increasing demand and prices.
Security and Transportation
Security and transportation are critical factors that influence the desirability of different neighborhoods. While Buenos Aires generally has lower crime rates compared to other parts of Argentina, the situation varies across the city.
Central and northern communes tend to have relatively low crime rates, while the western and southern areas, especially near the provincial borders, experience higher crime rates.
Access to public transportation is also a key consideration when choosing where to live. Some areas are better connected than others in terms of subway lines, bus routes, and the increasingly popular Metrobus system. Proximity to these transport options adds value to nearby properties.
Tourist and Recreational Activities
While this factor is more relevant to tourists, expatriates, and those with the financial means to prioritize lifestyle considerations, it still plays a role in population distribution. For most Argentinians, it is a lower priority but remains important.
Tourist attractions are concentrated in Commune 1 (San Telmo, Monserrat, San Nicolás, Puerto Madero), as well as in the neighborhoods of Palermo, Recoleta, Retiro, and Belgrano. These areas also offer ample green spaces, which are vital for urban living.
The central and western areas of Buenos Aires are less significant in terms of tourism but do offer recreational activities and green spaces.
(Featured Image Source: Jhonny Peralta/flickr.com)
