Several neighborhoods of Norwich, Connecticut maintain independent identities and are recognized by official signs marking their boundaries. The following is a list of neighborhoods in Norwich.

Bean Hill

Bean Hill was originally a separate village, located about a mile from the center of Norwich in close proximity to the Norwichtown Green. It was founded by a group of Episcopalians around a small green (now a public park). In the early 19th century it was the site of the Norwich Methodist Episcopal Church, which met in a building that also housed a classical academy and a free school.Excerpt from David Ruggles: A Radical Black Abolitionist and the Underground Railroad in New York City by Graham Hodges. Wall Street Journal website, accessed October 18, 2010. The African American abolitionist David Ruggles grew up in Bean Hill and had an Underground Railroad stop in this area in one of the houses. Several of the old colonial houses and the Methodist church building (now a photographic and investment business) still stand. Modern Bean Hill grew in all directions with the coming of a highway on and off ramp depositing into the area just below the green. This area is now commercial with numerous gas stations, a Courtyard Marriott and a park and ride. Extending out from the Green are more commercial establishments, small shopping centers and, to the northeast, residential neighborhoods. The copper company Phelps Dodge is located in the farther reaches of Bean Hill next to old mills.

Chelsea or Downtown

Because of its location at the Y-fork of the Thames, Shetucket and Yantic Rivers, Chelsea became the home of the city's former shipping harbor located on Hollyhock Island. Because of Norwich's industrial and commercial nature, this neighborhood is quite large, with its borders extending from Washington Street in the west to Burnham Square in the east.

At the core of Norwich's downtown are the harbor and a dense grouping of 18th-century buildings that are still mostly intact.Our Neighborhoods, Norwich Community Development Corporation The majority of big businesses, now lost, @Main Street/Franklin Street/Shetucket Street/Broadway, three still extant as Shannon Corner, the Wauregan Hotel, and nearby Reid and Hughes department store; marketed under (The Boston Store); which were both restored to original period 19th-Century appearance and readapted for residential use in 2005 and 2025 respectively; while Sears, and Woolworth's closings, and Chelsea Groton Bank- which was still operational as of 2025, and on its high-perched triangular cornerstone Lot overseeing the Square, were also developed around that "Centennial Square" before moving out of the city or to East Great Plain with the economic tide. Also, at this writing, Water Street Lofts, also in a former retail store on Water Street, and Thames Plaza Landing across the street are both being adapted into modern use for numerous residential units or lofts. Numerous churches and historic homes, the former YMCA (it also being redeveloped into Pub House and/or Restaurant use and Mattern Construction offices) of Southeastern ConnecticutYMCA of Southeastern Connecticut and Post Office are also in and around Chelsea. The old train station and tracks are located here also, along with the city's grand Second Empire-style (1870-73) City Hall, New London County Superior Court, CLA Engineers and the Otis Library. The oldest remaining building in the city, Chelsea Landing Pub, "Strange Brew", is located here as well. The main public areas in this district are Centennial (aka Franklin) Square, City Hall (aka Union) Square and Howard T. Brown Memorial Park. The offices of the Norwich Bulletin were formerly located in the once-busy historic railroad station, most recently the site of the St. Vincent De Paul soup kitchen. The newspaper's previous longtime location, the Sunshine Building and the main newspaper building on Franklin Street in the north, just below the AT&T offices next to City Hall, is now home to an eclectic Coffee Shop and other retailers, including a Brewery/Tasting Hall, and a business incubator. The original Otis Library, (now LaStella Restaurant) was in a small brick building across the square from City Hall. In 2007 it was reimagined and updated from its previous incarnation into a new Mission-style building still on Main Street that incorporates its previous and adjacent locations.

Chelsea/Downtown declined greatly after the city's manufacturing businesses moved overseas and downstate after shipping moved to New London. Most businesses went defunct or became rundown, including the Wauregan Hotel and the defunct Reid and Hughes. Many of the now-vacant buildings quickly fell into disrepair. The area was renamed the Chelsea Arts District for the theaters—the Donald L. Oat (run by the Norwich Arts Council) and the Spirit of Broadway—and small galleries, including The Gallery at Wauregan, that have been pioneers in trying to revive the downtown. Numerous buildings have received renowned Full Murals with highly recognizable artwork and creative hues throughout the Chelsea District, with an addition in (2025) of a new modernist sculpture in Franklin Square denoting Norwich's rich manufacturing history and the diverse peoples who made it possible. Lit in a purplish hue at night, it brings a refreshing spirit to the Square. Many pocket parks and musical amphitheaters are planned in the near future. Hollyhock Island became home to a pleasure craft marina on the south end and a decaying industrial zone with a sewage treatment plant on the north end.

Several important buildings in downtown have been renovated, specifically the Wauregan Hotel, Reid and Hughes, Water Street Lofts, and the former Chelsea Landing, and Otis Library. Although not completely salvaged, Hollyhock Island was freed of the abandoned Duffy Mill complex. In 2012 a $22 million Intermodal Transportation Center was dedicated on Hollyhock Island. As of March 2015, the building remains mostly vacant except for serving as a turnaround for the region's Southeast Area Transit Authority (SEAT) buses. The harbor area and Howard T. Brown Park are popular for summertime music concerts and various annual festivals, including the Taste of Italy (Labor Day weekend), Juneteenth, and the Rotary Club of Norwich's summer carnival

East Great Plains (or Westside)

Named from at least 1890, this section of Norwich is located in the southwest part of the city and is centered around the junction of New London Turnpike and Route 82. Three Rivers Community College, the Norwich Rose Garden Ice Rink and the Norwich Public Golf Course are located in East Great Plains. Stanton Elementary School is located in East Great Plains next to the second of Norwich's synagogues, Beth Jacob.

East Side

On the Shetucket River and hills just northeast of Laurel Hill, this is a largely ethnic neighborhood on East Main Street and Hamilton Avenue. When first occupied, this district was dominated by Italian immigrants and later Poles. Haitians, Hispanics and most recently Asians have made this neighborhood their home. Anglo Saxon families have integrated the neighborhood as well, providing for a true melting pot. The area has not lost its ethnic character, as new Asian grocery stores open up alongside old Italian shops.

Before water services were extended across the Shetucket, the East Side was watered by a spring up in the hills above Talman Street. The water would flow down and be collected by families at a communal fountain. Recently in a local ceremony, the fountain was reestablished in a small flowered alcove underneath a parking lot. This landmark of the East Side is observable from the intersection of Talman Street and East Main Street where it comes off the Preston Bridge.

The Thames River Academy is located on the East Side.

Greeneville

The Greeneville section of Norwich Connecticut was named by William Greene. In 1826, Greene purchased land on both sides of the Shetucket River to develop. In 1828, he transferred the land to the Norwich Water Power Company, in which he was the largest shareholder. Norwich Water Power Company began construction on a dam in 1829. By 1833, the dam and canals were finished and capable of providing water power to 40,000 to 50,000 spindles. Mills were quickly built along the Shetucket River during the mid-19th century to take advantage of this water power. The remains of the original dam may still be seen upstream of the present dam.

Greeneville was originally settled by Irish immigrants who established St. Mary's Church in 1845, making it the oldest Catholic church in eastern Connecticut. The original structure still exists as Savage Hardware Store. The current church, completed in 1867, is located on Central Avenue. While originally Irish, it now also serves growing Hispanic and Haitian populations, regularly offering masses in Spanish and Creole.

The Greeneville Dam Fishing Area provides fishing and boating access to the Shetucket River at the site of a fish ladder and dam operated by Norwich Public Utilities.

Greeneville's Neighborhood Revitalization Zone committee is active in keeping the Greeneville section friendly for families and small businesses.

Jail Hill

Located just above downtown, this district once featured a hilltop prison, and below it on Court Street and Church was the original City Hall from (1829) where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "Norwich" speech when passing through on his 1860 campaign. This City Hall burned in (1865) and was replaced with the 2nd Empire style building on Union Sq.in (1873). "Jail Hill" is now a quiet residential area with winding streets and view of the rest of the city and also a stop on Norwich's Freedom Trail.

Laurel Hill

On the opposite side of the river from Thamesville is Laurel Hill. It is also predominantly residential with most businesses and organization buildings located on Route 12. Its very riverfront contains old warehouses, a condemned trainyard and a cleared landfill. The former Thermos Corporation operated a plant here, the building of which has been converted into the Integrated Day Charter School. The Norwich portion of the now-defunct Norwich State Hospital is located on the very south end of Laurel Hill along with an abandoned planned community that is considered part of the former psychiatric hospital.

There is also an apartment community right before the abandoned hospital called Thames View Apartments. Adjacent to the apartment complex is the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Veterans' Memorial Elementary School and the former Laurel Hill Neighborhood School make up this neighborhood's educational dimensions.

Norwichtown

Located in north central Norwich, Norwichtown is the old town of Norwich, where the town's founders first settled. The Norwichtown Green is surrounded by many historic houses and shops (now converted into law practices, nursing homes or bed and breakfasts) such as the John Mason School (now the central administration for the Norwich Public School System) and First Congregational Church. The neighborhood includes the Norwichtown Historic District.

Occum

Named after Samson Occom, this was another mill town that was later incorporated into Norwich. Like Greeneville, it is located on the Shetucket River. The old mill have since been demolished. Occum contains a small business center with a fire station and public park. The rest is devoted to residential housing and churches extending into Baltic.

Ox Hill