CapitalCharlotte Amalie
Population103,792
Area1,910 km²
GDP per capita$46,500
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish or Spanish Creole, French or French Creole, other languages
Life Expectancy80.7 yr
Governmentunincorporated organized territory of the US with self-governance; republican structure of territorial government featuring distinct executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Introduction
Background
The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.
Geography
Area
land
346 sq km
water
1,564 sq km
total
1,910 sq km
Climate
subtropical, influenced by easterly trade winds, characterized by relatively low humidity and minimal seasonal temperature fluctuations; the rainy season occurs from September to November
Terrain
predominantly hilly, transitioning to rugged and mountainous terrain with limited flat areas
Land use
other
32.4% (2023 est.)
forest
58.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
9.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 6.3% (2023 est.)
Location
Caribbean region, comprising islands situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, to the east of Puerto Rico
Coastline
188 km
Elevation
lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point
Crown Mountain 474 m
Irrigated land
1 sq km (2012)
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
numerous hurricanes have impacted the area in recent years; the islands experience frequent and intense droughts and floods; earthquakes occur occasionally
Geography - note
strategically significant position along the Anegada Passage, a vital shipping route for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas is home to one of the finest natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Natural resources
enjoyable climate and attractive beaches promote tourism
Area - comparative
twice the area of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
18 20 N, 64 50 W
Population distribution
the overall population density across the islands remains relatively low, though higher concentrations are found around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
People & Society
Languages
English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other languages 2.5% (2010 estimate)
Religions
Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christian denominations 2.2%, other religions 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.9 male(s)/female
total population
0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.81 male(s)/female
Birth rate
10.88 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.43 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
42.1 years
total
43.4 years (2025 est.)
female
43.9 years
Population
male
49,195
total
103,792 (2025 est.)
female
54,597
Nationality
noun
Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective
Virgin Islander
Urbanization
urban population
96.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
18.7% (male 9,983/female 9,547)
15-64 years
59.8% (male 29,519/female 32,899)
65 years and over
21.5% (2024 est.) (male 10,018/female 12,411)
Ethnic groups
African-American or of African descent 71.4%, White 13.3%, Indigenous 0.4%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.1%, other groups 6.3%, mixed race 7.5% (2020 estimate)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
68 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
30.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
2.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
37.1 (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-7.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.95 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
8.3 deaths/1,000 live births
total
7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.58% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.95 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the overall population density across the islands is comparatively low, although higher concentrations can be found in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Life expectancy at birth
male
77.6 years
female
84.1 years
total population
80.7 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)
Major urban areas - population
52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)
Environment
Climate
subtropical climate, influenced by easterly trade winds, characterized by relatively low humidity and minimal seasonal temperature fluctuations; the rainy season occurs from September through November
Land use
other
32.4% (2023 est.)
forest
58.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
9.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 6.3% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
96.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
-0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
146,500 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
insufficient natural freshwater supplies; preservation of coral reef ecosystems; management of solid waste; development along coastlines; heightened levels of boating and overfishing
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
2.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
2.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Government
Flag
description: a white background featuring a modified US coat of arms at the center, flanked by the prominent blue initials "V" and "I"; the coat of arms depicts a golden eagle grasping an olive branch in its right claw and three arrows in its left, along with a shield composed of seven red and six white vertical stripes beneath a blue section
meaning: the color white signifies purity, while the initials represent the Virgin Islands
Capital
name
Charlotte Amalie
etymology
named to honor Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel, the wife of Danish King CHRISTIAN V, following the establishment of the colony in 1672
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 21 N, 64 56 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see United States
Constitution
history
22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory
Country name
former
Danish West Indies
etymology
in 1493, the small islands, cays, and rocks surrounding the main islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin companions (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which was eventually abbreviated to the Virgins (las Virgenes)
abbreviation
VI
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Virgin Islands
Independence
none (territory of the US)
Legal system
US common law
Government type
unincorporated organized territory of the US with self-governance; republican structure of territorial government featuring distinct executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices)
subordinate courts
Superior Court (renamed from Territorial Court in 2004); US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (holds appellate authority over the District Court of the Virgin Islands; it operates as a territorial court and is not linked to any US federal judicial district); District Court of the Virgin Islands
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Virgin Islands Senate; they serve an initial term of 10 years and may be reconfirmed, remaining in office as long as they exhibit good behavior; the chief justice is elected by peers for a term of 3 years
Executive branch
cabinet
Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
chief of state
President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
election results
2022: Albert BRYAN, Jr. re-elected as governor; vote percentage - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 56%, Kurt VIALET (independent) 38%
2018: Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected as governor during the second round; vote percentage in the first round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah "Foncie" DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, others 11.9%; vote percentage in the second round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, others 0.3%
head of government
Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019)
most recent election date
8 November 2022
election/appointment process
the president and vice president are indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College composed of electors selected from each state; both serve a term of 4 years (eligible for one additional term); according to the US Constitution, Virgin Islands residents do not participate in elections for the US president and vice president, but are allowed to vote in the presidential primaries of the Democratic and Republican parties; the governor and lieutenant governor are directly elected on the same ballot by an absolute majority vote, potentially across 2 rounds, for a 4-year term (also eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
November 2026
National holiday
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Dependency status
unincorporated, organized territory of the US, with its policy interactions with the US federal government managed by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Political parties
Democratic Party
Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM
Republican Party
Legislative branch
National anthem(s)
title
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
history
official anthem, as a US territory
lyrics/music
Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH
Administrative divisions
there are no first-order administrative divisions as categorized by the US government, but three islands are recognized as second-order: Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation
AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.496 billion (2016 est.)
expenditures
$1.518 billion (2016 est.)
Exports
Exports 2020
$1.62 billion (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$4.069 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$4.549 billion (2022 est.)
Imports
Imports 2020
$3.184 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$4.057 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$5.058 billion (2022 est.)
Industries
tourism, watch production, rum production, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Labor force
47,200 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2014
45.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
Exchange rates
the US dollar is the currency in use
Economic overview
high-income, tourism-centric American territorial economy; significant economic impacts from COVID-19; prominent rum production facility; elevated public debt levels; slow reopening of a major oil refinery; vulnerable to hurricanes; numerous informal sectors
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
13.1% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
12.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
12.1% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)
Imports - partners
India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2020
$45,100 (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021
$46,900 (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022
$46,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2020
-1.6% (2020 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021
3.7% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
-1.3% (2022 est.)
Agricultural products
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude oil, rubber tubing, jewelry, beer (2019)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$4.672 billion (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
68.9% (2022 est.)
government consumption
34.4% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories
15% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital
7.5% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services
97.4% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services
-108.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020
$4.789 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$4.965 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$4.9 billion (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
22% (2024 est.)
total
25.3% (2024 est.)
female
28.9% (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
4 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
16,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
618.819 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
326,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
50.181 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
2.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
97.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
64% (2017 est.)
Broadcast media
approximately twelve television stations, comprising one public television station; access to multi-channel cable and satellite television; twenty-four radio stations
Internet country code
.vi
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
76,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
88 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
79,100 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
92 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
9,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
10 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
3
medium
0
key ports
Christiansted, Charlotte Amalie, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay, Port Alucroix
very small
3
total ports
6 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
3
Airports
2 (2025)
Heliports
4 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
2 (2023)
by type
general cargo 1, other 1
Military & Security
Military - note
the obligation of defense lies with the United States
Military and security forces
US Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD); US Virgin Islands National Guard (VING)
