Good to know
Good to Know
- Charlotte Amalie's population has declined significantly from 18,481 in 2010 to approximately 12,504 in 2026, reflecting broader demographic shifts in the territory.
- The city is exceptionally diverse for its size, with notable immigrant communities and significant Latin American influence through Puerto Rican and Dominican connections.
- Frenchtown retains strong cultural identity with families tracing ancestry to Saint-Barthélemy; this neighborhood has undergone cultural and economic revitalization in recent years.
- Tourism drives the local economy, with over 1.5 million cruise passengers arriving annually; however, this creates economic vulnerability to global travel patterns and natural disasters.
- More than 48% of USVI residents are foreign-born or born outside the USVI, making it a transient population with significant immigrant composition.
Languages
Primary Languages USVI
English
- Percentage
- 71.6
Spanish or Spanish Creole
- Percentage
- 17.2
French or French Creole
- Percentage
- 8.6
Primary Groups
Black or African American
- Percentage St Thomas 2020
- 81.4
- Source
- 2020 U.S. Census (St. Thomas island, which includes Charlotte Amalie)
White
- Percentage St Thomas 2020
- 14.6
- Source
- 2020 U.S. Census (St. Thomas island)
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race)
- Percentage St Thomas 2020
- 13.7
- Source
- 2020 U.S. Census (St. Thomas island)
Notable Communities
French Huguenot Descendants
- History
- Originally settled by French immigrants from Saint-Barthélemy in late 19th and early 20th centuries; strong French-Caribbean cultural influence persists
- Location
- Frenchtown neighborhood
Population
- Trend
- declining
- Estimate 2020
- 8194
- Estimate 2026
- 12504
- Note
- Population declined from ~18,481 in 2010 to ~12,504 in 2026
Tech Presence
- Status
- Limited
- Description
- Charlotte Amalie does not appear to have a significant technology sector presence or tech startup ecosystem comparable to mainland U.S. cities. The economy remains primarily tourism and service-sector based.
Business Presence
- Primary Sector
- Tourism
- Economic Challenges
- The territory faces significant fiscal challenges, with substantial public debt relative to GDP, economic vulnerability to tourism volatility, and limited diversification. Post-hurricane recovery (2017) and COVID-19 pandemic impacts have constrained economic growth.
- Description
- Charlotte Amalie is the capital and largest city of the US Virgin Islands, serving as the primary port and administrative hub. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with the city being the third most popular cruise ship destination in the Caribbean, attracting approximately 1.5 million cruise ship passengers annually. The free port status supports retail trade, jewelry sales, and duty-free shopping.
Other Industries
- Handicrafts
- Jewelry sales
- Rum production
- Limited manufacturing
Foreign Born Percentage
- All USVI
- 34
- Note
- Of total USVI population: 48% born in USVI, 34% born in foreign country, 14% born in United States, 4% born in Puerto Rico or other U.S. island area
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Charlotte Amalie
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.