The U.S. Virgin Islands

U. S. Virgin Islands at a Glance

Government

     The U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated territory of the United States, with a local government structure defined by the federal Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended. Internal political affairs are under the jurisdiction of an elected governor and a 15-member unicameral legislature. In addition to the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Virgin Islands has its own system of local courts, including a Superior Court and Supreme Court.

     The people of the U.S. Virgin Islands elect a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, currently (D) Dr. Donna M. Christensen. This official can vote in committee, but does not have a vote on legislation in the full House of Representatives.

U.S. Virgin Islands Key Facts

  • Location: Eastern Caribbean, 1,100 miles southeast of Miami , Florida
  • Total Area: 130 square miles, an area twice the size of Washington , D.C.
  • Population: 108,605
  • Total Labor Force: 50,627
  • Unemployment Rate: 6.1%
  • Religion: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
  • Languages: English 74.7%, Spanish 16.8%, French 6.6%, other 1.9%
  • Capital: Charlotte Amalie, located on St. Thomas
  • Temperature: Average range of 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit

Workforce

     The U.S. Virgin Islands total labor force of roughly 50,000 people is constantly advancing. Laborers participate in a variety of business sectors, including tourism, manufacturing, maritime, financial services, ecommerce, agriculture and other fields. The U.S. Virgin Islands has developed a progressive educational program that spans all three islands. Regional and international programs at the University of the Virgin Islands provide important training to workers, including those from outside the Territory.

     The U.S. Virgin Islands hosts about 2.6 million visitors a year. Tourism accounts for nearly 60 percent of the gross domestic product, constituting the majority of private sector employment. The workforce is being trained for a diversified economy to service the finance sector and high technology companies. As a U.S. territory, those employed in the U.S. Virgin Islands work under the U.S. tax and currency system as well as labor and immigration rules.