Census: USVI Population Down Since 2000

The U.S. Virgin Islands’ population shrank slightly over the past decade, according to official 2010 U.S. Census data released Wednesday.

As of April, 2010 the total population of the territory was 106,405, according to the Census. This is a little less than a two percent decline from the 2000 census count of 108,612.

St. Croix’s population showed the largest change, decreasing two percent to 50,601 as of last April, down from 53,234 in 2000. Within St. Croix, Frederiksted decreased from 3,767 to 3,091 – a whopping 17.9 percent drop. The north central census subdistrict, encompassing Calquhoun, Glynn and points north to the seashore, declined 13.6 percent from 5,760 to 4,977.

St. Thomas actually increased by a hair less than one percent, from 51,181 to 51,634. Water Island, the north side of the island, and the eastern and western parts of the island all saw growth, while Tutu and Charlotte Amalie saw declines.

St. John decreased by 27 individuals, from 4,197 in 2000 to 4,170 as of April 2010.

The Census Bureau has also released digital files of large scale block maps of the territory, down to the census block level, for every state and territory, including the USVI. Professionals and others with geographic information system software can also download specialized relational mapping files called TIGER/Line Shapefiles.

The Census released information on all the island territories today, except for Puerto Rico, which was released earlier.

Guam increased from 154,805 to 159,358. American Samoa decreased from 57,291 to 55,519. The Northern Mariana Islands decreased sharply from 69,221 to 53,883.

Wednesday’s releases showed just overall population figures. Next year, the Census Bureau will release basic demographic, social, economic and housing data, according to the bureau’s statement.