Downtown is a term primarily used in North American English to describe the commercial, cultural, historical, political, and geographic heart of a city. It is frequently synonymous with a city's central business district (CBD) and often serves as a primary hub for shopping and entertainment.
While downtown areas typically contain only a small percentage of a city's total employment, they are heavily concentrated in services, including high-end service industries. These areas are also characterized as centers for public transit and culture. In some instances, smaller downtowns may feature lower population densities and lower income levels compared to surrounding suburbs.