The subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie is one of the seven administrative subdistricts located on the island of St. Thomas. It serves as the modern day capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is also the largest population center and the largest settlement in the entire Virgin Islands Archipelago. In 2020, it had a population of 14,477. It is located in south-central part of the island of St. Thomas surrounding the Charlotte Amalie Harbor on three sides.
The subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie is sometimes referred to as "the City of Charlotte Amalie" or "the City". The subdistrict is composed of the Census-Designated Places (CDPs) of Charlotte Amalie West and Charlotte Amalie East and the town of Charlotte Amalie.
Although the pre-US settlement of Charlotte Amalie has expanded eastward and westward since the early 20th century, the official boundaries of the town have remained unchanged. This is primarily due to the governance structure of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which does not provide for the incorporation of municipalities, which is a key component for town and city designation in the United States. Under US code however, Charlotte Amalie (the original settlement with its boundaries) is designated as a "town" largely due to its historical status under Danish colonial rule and its recognition by the U.S. government following the transfer of the islands in 1917. Since there is no municipal government or legal framework to expand town boundaries or incorporate surrounding areas, adjacent communities such as Charlotte Amalie East and Charlotte Amalie West are classified as separate census-designated places (CDPs) by the U.S. Census Bureau. As a result, the administrative subdistricts of Charlotte Amalie better reflects the physical and demographic growth of the broader settlement and why it is oftentimes referred to as "the City" even though it is not technically a city and why it is referred to as the modern day capital.
History The subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie, as recognized today, was established as part of a reorganization of the U.S. Virgin Islands' administrative divisions in 1979. The U.S. Virgin Islands government, by law, established the subdistricts in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau to better reflect the islands' terrain and population distribution. This led to the creation of 20 census subdistricts between the three main islands, including the subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie, which are now used as minor civil divisions (MCD) for statistical and administrative purposes. Each census subdistrict is assigned a three-digit census code in alphabetical order within the island and a five-digit FIPS code in alphabetical order within the Virgin Islands. The census code for the subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie is 78-030-17200 where 78 represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, 030 represents the island of St. Thomas, and 17200 represents the Charlotte Amalie subdistrict. This is not to be confused with the census code for the town of Charlotte Amalie that is 78-16300 where 78 represents the U.S. Virgin Islands and 16300 represents the town of Charlotte Amalie.
The subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie, encompassing the town of Charlotte Amalie along with Charlotte Amalie East and Charlotte Amalie West, represents the historical, cultural, and economic center of the island of St. Thomas, the district of St. Thomas-St. John and the U.S. Virgin Islands overall. The subdistrict's three distinct parts have their own unique history.
History of the town of Charlotte Amalie Main: History of the town of Charlotte Amalie
Established in 1672 by the Danish West India Company and named after Queen Charlotte Amalie in 1691, the town developed around one of the Caribbean's most strategic deep natural harbor. Because of this harbor, the town of Charlotte Amalie, became a commercial center for regional and international trade, as well as the seat of government and civic activity.
History of Charlotte Amalie East Main: History of the CDP of Charlotte Amalie East
To the east, Charlotte Amalie East saw a shift from plantation agriculture to maritime commerce in the 20th century, particularly with the development of the West Indian Company (WICO) dock in 1912. Built to accommodate larger steamships, this deepwater port allowed the island to emerge as a modern shipping and cruise destination. The area also hosted Camp Harwood, a small U.S. Navy installation that played a role during the American naval administration of the islands.
History of Charlotte Amalie West Main: History of the CDP of Charlotte Amalie West
Charlotte Amalie West, originally a more rural and underdeveloped area on the west side of the town, became central to U.S. military operations after the 1917 purchase of the Virgin Islands. From 1917 through World War II, it hosted a significant naval and marine military presence, including submarine facility (now repurposed as the Crown Bay Cargo Port, Crown Bay Marina, and Crown Bay Cruise Port), a naval hospital (later repurposed as the Lindbergh Bay Hotel), and the development of what is now the Cyril E. King Airport—once known as Bourne Field, a major naval air station. Many of these installations were decommissioned after World War II, but they left a legacy in the form of infrastructure that still supports civilian use today for the island of St. Thomas and the St. Thomas-St. John district.
Collectively, the subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie embodies a blend of historical legacy and contemporary growth. From its colonial roots and architectural heritage to its evolution into a central hub for tourism and commerce, it continues to be a focal point of cultural and economic activity in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Geography
Architecture
The subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie reflects two distinct architectural eras. Downtown Charlotte Amalie in the town of Charlotte Amalie has the largest collection of colonial buildings in the Caribbean. Most of the buildings are classic Caribbean adaptions of English Georgian architecture built by the Danes with some Danish influences. Downtown Charlotte Amalie, particularly the area around Dronningens Gade (English: Queens Street a.k.a. "Main Street") and the historic waterfront, falls within a Historic and Cultural Conservation District and demolition of historic structures is highly restricted. Therefore, repurposing of building is significantly more common in these areas. Any construction must get approval from the Virgin Islands Historic Preservation Commission (VIHPC). Any new construction must adhere to architectural guidelines that maintain the area's historic Danish colonial character. On the other hand, outside of the downtown is construction is less restrictive and there are many newer American-syle architectural structures.
The Charlotte Amalie subdistrict is well known for its beautiful landscapes and harbor views. Limiting building height helps preserve the natural beauty that attracts tourists and protects property values in the low rolling hills in the subdistrict and the mountains above the subdistrict. This reason is the main factor that contributes to the generally low-rise architecture in the subdistrict. According to current building codes downtown Charlotte Amalie buildings are restricted to a maximum height 3 stories or 53 feet. Outside the downtown area, up to 6 stories above-grade buildings are allowed. For these reason, along with the geographical nature of the subdistrict, there are currently no buildings above six stories.
Demographics
Economy
The economy of the Charlotte Amalie subdistrict is the largest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving as the economic heart of St. Thomas and a major commercial hub for the entire territory. It is largely service-based, centered around tourism, government services, retail, and transportation, with smaller contributions from finance and education.
Tourism
Tourism is the largest economic driver in the subdistrict. The historic downtown of Charlotte Amalie is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, known for its duty-free shopping, colonial architecture, and cultural landmarks. The subdistrict is home to both WICO's Havensight cruise ship dock (Charlotte Amalie East) and the Crown Bay Center (Charlotte Amalie West), making the subdistrict (more specifically the Charlotte Amalie Harbor) the third busiest cruise ship destination in the Caribbean, the third in the West Indies and the fifth busiest cruise port in the United States in 2023. The harbor also accommodates yachts and ferries, supporting a wide range of tourist services such as boat tours, restaurants, and attractions as well as dry dock facilities.
Logistics and Transportation
The presence of two seaports, including the Crown Bay cargo facility, makes Charlotte Amalie a center of maritime logistics and freight handling for the St. Thomas-St. John district. Additionally, travel between Water Island, St. John, and St. Croix commonly requires transit through the Charlotte Amalie subdistrict, making it a central hub for territorial passenger movement. Regionally, the subdistrict also serves as an alternative and often cheaper method of travel to the British Virgin Islands for passengers from United States as well as the main transportation hub for residents of St. Croix, Water Island to travel to the British Virgin Islands.
Arts and Culture Museums and Art Galleries A list of Museums and Art Galleries in the subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie: Town of Charlotte Amalie Fort Christian Saint Thomas Historical Trust Museum Camille Pissarro Gallery Seven Arches Museum Weibel Memorial Museum French Heritage Museum 81C Contemporary Art Gallery Charlotte Amalie East Pirates Treasure Museum The Virgin Islands Children's Museum
Musical Arts The Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra founded in 1981 by the U.S. Virgin Islands Territorial (now Superior) Court in Charlotte Amalie, is a celebrated youth music program focused on steel pan performance. Designed to provide structure and opportunity for young people, the group has earned a strong reputation both locally and internationally. Their performances span many genres, from Caribbean calypso to pop and classical music. The Rising Stars have performed at notable events such as the St. Thomas Carnival, President Clinton's visit to St. Thomas, the Tournament of Roses Parade in California, the US Capital Building, and at venues like the Lincoln Center and Javits Center.
Performing Arts and Theater The Reichhold Center for the Arts is an open-air amphitheater located on the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas. Opened in 1978 and named after philanthropist Henry Reichhold, the center has hosted a wide range of performances, from international concerts and theatrical productions to local cultural events. With seating for about 1,200 people, it became a major venue for the arts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The center has been closed since sustaining significant hurricane damage in 2017, but renovations are underway.
Festivals
The Virgin Islands Carnival, also known as the St. Thomas Carnival, is an annual cultural festival held on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, typically from April to early May. Events include music, food, parades and pageants, and the festival reflects a mixture of Caribbean, African, and European cultural traditions.
The St. Thomas Carnival began in 1952, although earlier forms of celebration trace back to colonial times. It was revived as a post-war community initiative to foster unity, preserve cultural heritage, and boost tourism at the end of the tourist season for the Caribbean. Today, it's a cornerstone of Virgin Islands identity, drawing thousands of locals, visitors, and diaspora back home to celebrate.
The majority of events take place in the subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie, most in the town of Charlotte Amalie and a few in Charlotte Amalie West. Some key events include: