The Sydenham district for census purposes is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south and east, by Princess Street to the north and Barrie Street to the west.

The Sydenham neighbourhood has a mix of business and retail uses on its east and north sides as it approaches Princess Street, which is Kingston's primary downtown business district.

The majority of the neighbourhood however is a mix of permanent homes and rental accommodations for students.

Many of Kingston's historic limestone structures can be found in the Sydenham neighbourhood.

The neighbourhood is home to Empire Life Financial's Canadian Headquarters at King & Johnson Streets and is one of Kingston's largest employers with 550 full-time employees