A screen shot of Ballard on Google Maps
A reader notified us that on Google Maps, Ballard is marked as Adams. While this isn't quite true, the reader did correctly notice that the name "Ballard" isn't marked on the map. Google Maps marks the various neighborhoods - Sunset Hill, Whittier Heights, Loyal Heights, West Woodland and Adams - but it does not mark Ballard as a whole.
Likewise, Google Maps does not indicate West Seattle but rather the nine neighborhoods that make up West Seattle - Alki, North Admiral, Junction, Seaview, Fairmount Park, Genesee, Gatewood, Fauntleroy, and Arbor Heights.
According to the Seattle City Clerk's Office, Seattle has 16 (unofficial) districts - Northgate, Lake City, Ballard, University District, Magnolia, Interbay, Queen Anne, Cascade, Downtown, Capitol Hill, Central District, West Seattle, Delridge, Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley and Seward Park. These districts in turn are made up of various neighborhoods.
It appears that Google Maps marks the individual neighborhoods rather than districts. If you were to search for "Ballard, Seattle, WA" however, it marks a spot along 23rd Avenue between 65th and 67th Street in the Loyal Heights neighborhood.
Yahoo Maps on the other hand does show Ballard.
For a full listing of Seattle neighborhoods, please visit the Seattle City Clerk's Office Neighborhood Map Atlas.
Thanks to reader Mike Wittrock for pointing this out to us.