The Hague Residential Districts
The Hague, Netherlands is the third largest Dutch city. Below are profiles of its 8 residential districts including demographics, neighborhoods, public transport and percent of expat residents.
Planning a move to The Hague? You should familiarize yourself with the city’s eight residential districts before making a decision on where to live. Make sure the area meets your needs in terms of access to public transport, green spaces, sports facilities, etc. Parents moving with children may want close proximity to an international school.
The Hague is the most densely populated municipality in Netherlands at 6,131/km2 (15,880/mi2). Finding an apartment to rent can be rather difficult.
Home prices fell to their lowest levels following the 2008-2010 recession. In 2012 the average home price in The Hague was €175,000. Over the next decade they rose significantly. In 2021 the average home in The Hague sold for €391,000.
Here is a brief overview of each of the 8 ‘urban districts‘ (sub-municipalities) that make up the City of The Hague (referred to in Dutch as Den Haag or more formally as ‘s-Gravenhage)…
THE HAGUE CENTER
The Center is the oldest part of the city, with portions dating back to the 13th century. 103,281 residents (19.6% of the total) lives in the Center. Culturally, it is the most diverse area of The Hague with 74% of residents having an international background (expats 17%, immigrants 57%). The remaining 28% are native Dutch. Neighborhoods in the Center include some of the city’s lowest-income (Schildersbuurt, Transvaalkwartier) and high-income (Archipelbuurt-Willemspark, Zeeheldenkwartier) areas. Adults (20-64 years) are 67% of residents, children (0-19 years) are 22.8% and seniors (65 years+) are 10.2%. The Center is the best-served district in terms of public transportation, with trains, buses and trams all easily accessible. Landmarks include the Binnenhof (Dutch Parliament building), Noordeinde Palace, Peace Palace, Grote Kerk, Stadhuis (City Hall), Central Station, HollandsSpoor station and the city’s tallest buildings. The Center is the city’s least green district with only the Palace Gardens park located in it.
- Municipal offices: Spui 70, 2511 BT Den Haag
ESCAMP
The Escamp district has grown substantially since the end of World War II. It extends from Rustenbuurt-Oostbroek on the north to Wateringse Veld on the south and from Moerwijk on the east to Bouwlust-Vrederust on the west. Located in Escamp are two of the city’s largest recreation areas: Zuiderpark (including the ‘Sportcampus‘ complex) and De Uithof, as well as the Leyweg Winkelcentrum (shopping center) and Juliana Children’s Hospital. Escamp is home to more residents than any other district (122,825 people or 23.3% of the city’s population). 40% are native Dutch, 14% are expats and 46% are immigrants. Children (0-19 years) = 24.8%, adults (20-64 years) = 62.3% and seniors (65+ years) = 12.9%. Public transportation in Escamp includes train (Moerwijk station), trams and buses. This district borders the neighboring cities of Wateringen and Rijswijk.
- Municipal offices: Leyweg 813, 2541 AA Den Haag
HAAGSE HOUT
Haagse Hout is one of the city’s greenest districts, with the 100-hectare (247 acres) Haagse Bos (The Hague forest) extending from the city center to the Wassenaar border. It is home to 8.5% (44,667) of city residents, who are 54.5% native Dutch, 14.5% expats and 31% immigrants. Children (0-19 years) = 19.9% of residents, adults (20-64 years) = 59.8% and seniors (65+ years) = 20.3%. Two of The Hague’s wealthiest neighborhoods- Benoordenhout and Marlot– are located in this district, along with Haagse Bos, Mariahoeve, Bezuidenhout and the Beatrixkwartier. Notable landmarks include the royal residential palace, Huis ten Bosch, the Clingendael estate, Louwman Automotive Museum and the World Trade Center The Hague. The district is served by train (Laan van N.O.I. and Mariahoeve stations), tram and bus. International schools include branches of the HSV and British School (both primary schools). The Haagse Hout district borders the adjacent cities of Leidschendam, Voorburg and Wassenaar.
- Municipal offices: Loudonstraat 95 2521 EC Den Haag
LAAK
The Laak is the smallest and least populated district, with just 8% (42,580) of city residents. It is comprised of three neighborhoods: Binckhorst, Spoorwijk and Laakkwartier. In the early 1900’s, the Binckhorst became primarily an industrial area, and where the gas factory was located. Over the past several years, the city has redeveloped several areas to increase its residential appeal. Demographically, its residents are 25% native Dutch, 16% expats and 59% immigrants. The district has the highest percent of adult residents (68.9%), with children accounting for 23.4% and seniors for just 7.7%. Landmarks include The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Megastores shopping mall and Binck 36, the former headquarters of Dutch telecommunications company PTT. The Laak district borders the neighboring cities of Voorburg and Rijswijk.
- Municipal offices: Slachthuisplein 25 2521 EC Den Haag
LEIDSCHENVEEN-YPENBURG
Leidschenveen-Ypenburg is The Hague’s youngest district with the land being annexed from the neighboring municipalities of Leidschendam, Nootdorp and Rijswijk in 2002. Construction of Leidschenveen began in 1997 on the site of a former air field. The district is home to 9% (48,224) of the city’s total population. 60% are native Dutch, 6% are expats and 34% are immigrants. The district has the highest penetration of children at 32.2%, with adults (60.4%) and seniors (7.4%) making up the balance. The neighborhoods of Forepark and Hoornwijk are also part of Leidschenveen-Ypenburg. Physically, the district is only connected to the rest of the city by a narrow corridor of land and is broken into distinct quadrants by two major motorways (the A4 running north-south and the A12 running east-west). Landmarks in Leidschenveen-Ypenburg include the Cars Jeans Stadium, Drievliet amusement park and the Leidschenveen campus of the British School.
- Municipal offices: Brigantijnlaan 303 2496 ZT Den Haag
LOOSDUINEN
Until its annexation in 1923, Loosduinen had been a separate municipality. It is located on the southwest side of the city and includes the neighborhoods of Kijkduin-Ockenburg, Kraayenstein-De Uithof, Bohemen and Waldeck. It is home to 9% (47,123) of city residents who are 70% native Dutch, 6% expats and 24% immigrants. Children (0-19 years) = 17.4% of residents, adults (20-64 years) = 54.7% and seniors (65+ years) = 27.9% (the highest penetration of any district). Landmarks in this district include the Kijkduin beach strand, De Savornin Lohmanplein winkelcentrum (shopping center), the International School of The Hague and the Ockenburgh and Madestein recreation areas. Loosduinen borders the neighboring towns of Poeldijk and Monster.
- Municipal offices: Kleine Keizer 3 2553 CV Den Haag
SCHEVENINGEN
The Scheveningen district is located along the North Sea coast. It includes the neighborhoods of Oostduinen, Belgische Park, Westbroekpark, Van Stolkpark, Scheveningen, Statenkwartier, International Zone and Duindorp. Like Haagse Hout, it is one of the greenest districts in the city with the 92 hectare (227 acre) Scheveninges Bosjes, the 46 hectare (113 acre) Westbroekpark and the 20 hectare (49 acre) Nieuwe Scheveningse Bosjes. Many attractions and landmarks are located in Scheveningen including De Pier and Skyview Ferris Wheel, Kurhaus Hotel, Scheveningen Lighthouse, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Zuiderstrandtheater and Madurodam theme park. 10.6% (55,976) of city residents live in this district who are 66.6% native Dutch, 6.7% expats and 26.7% immigrants. Children (0-19 years) = 21%, adults (20-64 years) = 59.8% and seniors (65+ years) = 19.2% of residents. Public transport is available by tram and bus.
- Muncipal offices: Scheveningseweg 303 2584 AA Den Haag
SEGBROEK
The Segbroek district is west of the city center and includes the neighborhoods of Bomen & Bloemenbuurt, Regentessekwartier, Valkenboskwartier, Vruchtenbuurt and Vogelwijk (one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods). It is home to 11.6% (61,069) of city residents. Their ethnicity is 61% native Dutch, 10.4% expats and 28.6% immigrants. Children (0-19 years) = 21% of residents, adults (20-64 years) = 64.9% and seniors (65+ years) = 14.1%. The popular shopping streets ‘The Fred‘ (Fahrenheitstraat), Thomsonlaan and Reinkenstraat are located in Segbroek as is the European School of The Hague. The district is served by tram and bus.
- Municipal offices: Fahrenheitstraat 190 2561 EH Den Haag
THE HAGUE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
Related information…