Unincorporated territory of the United States
Territory under the sovereignty of the United States that is not part of any state. Congress legislates for it under the Territory Clause, and only some provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply in full. Persons born in the U.S. Virgin Islands are U.S. citizens by statute.
Listed by the United Nations as a Non-Self-Governing Territory.
National Identity
- Official name
- Virgin Islands of the United States
- Name etymology
in 1493, the islets, cays, and rocks around the major islands in the chain reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)
Sources:- Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, 48 U.S.C. §1541 et seq - Title 48-Territories and Insular Possessions - Pag. 134 "Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission" ↗ - GovInfo - U.S. Government Information
- The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- National flag
- National anthem
- The Star Spangled BannerThe national anthem of the United States.1:18
- Title
- The Star Spangled Banner
- Lyrics
- English
1Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
2On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: ‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
3And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out of their foul footsteps’ pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
4Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Source: - Citizens
- Virgin Islanders
- Official name:Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, 48 U.S.C. §1541 et seq - Title 48-Territories and Insular Possessions - Pag. 134 "Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission" ↗ - GovInfo - U.S. Government Information
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
- Total area
- 346 km²
- Land area
- 346 km²
- Water area
- 0.00 km²
- Land borders
- None
- Coastline
- 188 km
- Terrain
Mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land - Highest point
- 474 mCrown Mountain
- Lowest point
- 0 mCaribbean Sea
- Climate
Subtropical tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November - Avg. temperature
- 26.3 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 25.6 to 26.9 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 994 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 25.7 25.2 24.5 41 February 25.5 24.9 24.3 31 March 25.5 25 24.4 32 April 26.1 25.5 24.9 45 May 26.9 26.3 25.6 88 June 27.7 27.1 26.3 70 July 27.9 27.2 26.4 93 August 28.2 27.5 26.6 116 September 28.2 27.5 26.6 148 October 27.9 27.2 26.3 140 November 27.2 26.6 25.8 130 December 26.4 25.8 25.1 61 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable2.6%Perm. crops0.6%Pasture6.3%Forest58.2%Other32.4%
- Arable land
- 900 hectares (2.6%)
- Permanent crops
- 200 hectares (0.6%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 2,200 hectares (6.3%)
- Forest
- 20,360 hectares (58.2%)
- Other land
- 11,340 hectares (32.4%)
Source:
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
Demographics
- Population change2026
- −0.88% per year−738 people/yearWorld Rank224thof 237
- Birth rate
- 10.9 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 15.5 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- −4.3 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 44.9 yearsWorld Rank24thof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years16.4%15-64 years60.0%65 years +23.6%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 23.6%
- Share aged under 18
- 20.0%
- Total dependency ratio
- 67
- Youth dependency ratio
- 27
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 39
- Sex ratio
- 0.9 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 1.8% 3.5% 70-79 4.5% 6.4% 60-69 6.9% 8.2% 50-59 6.6% 7.1% 40-49 5.6% 6.1% 30-39 4.9% 5.4% 20-29 5.2% 5.2% 10-19 5.9% 5.5% 0-9 5.7% 5.3% - 2026
- 0.05 below the replacement level for the United States Virgin Islands ()2.05 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank108thof 237
- 0.99 daughters per woman0.01 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- −4.6 per 1,000 populationfor every 1,000 people, 4.6 more deaths than births a year
- 2026
- −4.3 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 95.4% live in 79,602 urban residents
- Largest towns2020
- Charlotte Amalie, Tutu, Charlotte Amalie West, Cruz BayRankTown or PlacePopulation (2020 census)1Charlotte Amalie8,1942Tutu5,5193Charlotte Amalie West4,4044Cruz Bay2,7725Charlotte Amalie East1,9086Christiansted1,7707Frederiksted Southeast1,7468Coral Bay6159Frederiksted52810Red Hook225Source:
- U.S. Census Bureau (2020 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- Overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix.
- Ethnic groups2020
- 18.4% self-identify as Latino, which is not a separate group here.African-American or African descent71.4%White13.3%Indigenous0.4%Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander0.1%Other6.3%Mixed7.5%
- Religions2010
- Protestant65.5%Roman Catholic27.1%Other Christian2.2%Other1.5%None3.7%
- Languages
- English
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:U.S. Census Bureau (2020 census), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- RepublicShared with the United States: the President of the United States is head of state.The Revised Organic Act, a United States law, applies to the islands the United States acquired from Denmark; no local constitution has been ratified, and any must be drafted within the existing territorial-federal relationship (48 U.S.C. 1541; Pub. L. 94-584, s. 2).Sources:
- Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (Act of July 22, 1954, ch. 558, 68 Stat. 497), as amended, 48 U.S.C. ch. 12, United States Code, 2023 edition ↗, 48 U.S.C. 1541; Pub. L. 94-584, s. 2
- Pub. L. 94-584, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2899, as amended by Pub. L. 96-597 and Pub. L. 111-194, statutory note under 48 U.S.C. 1541, United States Code, 2023 edition ↗, 48 U.S.C. 1541; Pub. L. 94-584, s. 2
- System of government
- PresidentialExecutive power is vested in a Governor elected with a Lieutenant Governor by majority vote, who appoints and removes executive officers; there is no confidence vote, only recall, and the legislature serves fixed two-year terms (48 U.S.C. 1572, 1591, 1593, 1597).Sources:
- Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (Act of July 22, 1954, ch. 558, 68 Stat. 497), as amended, 48 U.S.C. ch. 12, United States Code, 2023 edition ↗, 48 U.S.C. 1572, 1591, 1593, 1597
- Pub. L. 94-584, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2899, as amended by Pub. L. 96-597 and Pub. L. 111-194, statutory note under 48 U.S.C. 1541, United States Code, 2023 edition ↗, 48 U.S.C. 1572, 1591, 1593, 1597
- Official websites
- Capital
- Charlotte Amalie8,194 people(2020)
- National holidays
- 19 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- TueJan 6Three Kings Day
- MonJan 19Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- MonFeb 16Presidents' Day
- TueMar 31Transfer Day
- ThuApr 2Holy Thursday
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonApr 6Easter Monday
- MonMay 25Memorial Day
- FriJun 19Juneteenth National Independence Day
- FriJul 3Emancipation DayIndependence Day (observed)
- SatJul 4Independence Day
- MonSep 7Labor Day
- MonOct 12Columbus Day and Puerto Rico Friendship Day
- SunNov 1Liberty Day
- WedNov 11Veterans Day
- ThuNov 26Thanksgiving Day
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Christmas Second Day
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- ASTAtlantic Standard TimeUTC−4
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +1-340
- Internet TLD
- .vi
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- VI, VIR
- Infrastructure
- Heliports
- 4
Source:- The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- Form of state, System of government:Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (Act of July 22, 1954, ch. 558, 68 Stat. 497), as amended, 48 U.S.C. ch. 12, United States Code, 2023 edition ↗ - U.S. Government Publishing Office
- Form of state, System of government:Pub. L. 94-584, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2899, as amended by Pub. L. 96-597 and Pub. L. 111-194, statutory note under 48 U.S.C. 1541, United States Code, 2023 edition ↗ - U.S. Government Publishing Office
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Economy
- High income
- Labor force2024
- 38,619 (45% of population)World Rank185thof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 54.5% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 11.4%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 23.0% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $62 per hour worked at PPP
- Trade2019
- Source:
- The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- Industries
- tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
- Income level:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
Cost of Living
Society
- Mobile subscriptions2022
- 79,121
- Fixed telephone lines
- 75,836
- Fixed broadband
- 10.1 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists2021latest available
- 684,800 arrivalsup 33% against 201933% above 2019Official tourism site
- Per resident
- 7.9 arrivals per resident
- Same-day visitors
- 387,600 arrivals
- Visitor spending in the country
- $1 billion
- Spending per arrival
- $1,466
- Share of GDP
- 25.1% tourism direct GDP(2019, latest available)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2021A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
Crime & Safety
- Homicide rate2012
- 49.9 per 100,000 peopleVery high by global standards
- Crime rates
- 1 offence category
Offence Per 100,000 Count Year Homicide (victims) 49.9 52 2012 A low figure can also mean weak recording.
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Prison population2022
- 301.7 per 100,000 people
- Persons held
- 261
Source:- UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
- Homicide rate, Crime rates, Prison population:UNODC Data Portal ↗ - UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 76.2 years
- Infant mortality2026
- 4.6 per 1,000 live births
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
Environment
- 2024
- 3 µg/m³ of PM2.5Most polluted206thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
- National standard
- 9 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- lack of natural freshwater resources
- protection of coral reefs
- solid waste management
- coastal development
- increased boating and overfishing
Source:- The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: U.S. Virgin Islands - CIA
Food & Water
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 418.1 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- Supply
- No meaningful productionproduces under 2% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- No electricity trade0.7 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 0.7 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 0.6 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- Production endedlast produced in 2012Consumption202416,405 b/d
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration