Jamaica is home to a diverse range of settlements, categorized into cities, towns, villages, and neighborhoods based on population and administrative status. Here’s an overview of how these settlements are defined and classified:
Definitions of Settlements in Jamaica
City
Criteria: Official city status is granted only by an Act of Parliament.
Recognized Cities:
Kingston: The first city, incorporated in 1802, became the capital due to its strategic and economic importance.
Montego Bay: Granted city status in 1980, known as Jamaica’s tourism capital.
Portmore: Achieved city designation in 2018, reflecting its growth as a significant residential and urban area.
Note: City status is honorary and not directly linked to population size but may provide greater autonomy.
Town/Village
Definition: Urban areas with a population of 2,000 or more residents, as defined by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica.
Town vs. Village: A town typically has a larger population and more developed infrastructure than a village.
Neighborhood
Definition: Smaller geographic subdivisions of cities, towns, or villages, often defined by unique characteristics or landmarks.
Cities in Jamaica
Name2021 Population2011 PopulationCoordinatesParishDesignation YearKingston584,627579,13717.98°N, 76.80°WKingston1802Portmore182,153156,46917.94°N, 76.87°WSaint Catherine2018Montego Bay110,11596,47718.46°N, 77.91°WSaint James1980
Chief Towns in Jamaica
These are urban areas with populations of 10,000 residents or more.
NameCoordinatesParishSpanish Town*17.99°N, 76.95°WSaint CatherineMay Pen*17.97°N, 77.24°WClarendonMandeville*18.05°N, 77.48°WManchesterOld Harbour17.92°N, 77.10°WSaint CatherineSavanna-la-Mar*18.16°N, 77.95°WWestmorelandOcho Rios18.42°N, 77.11°WSaint AnnLinstead18.15°N, 77.02°WSaint CatherinePort Antonio*18.16°N, 76.38°WPortlandSaint Ann’s Bay*18.44°N, 77.22°WSaint AnnMorant Bay*17.87°N, 76.39°WSaint ThomasYallahs17.87°N, 76.57°WSaint ThomasHayes17.88°N, 77.25°WClarendonSanta Cruz18.07°N, 77.72°WSaint Elizabeth
*Parish capital.
This table highlights the key chief towns in Jamaica with their geographical coordinates and associated parishes.
Towns and Villages in Jamaica
NameCoordinatesParishAbove Rocks18.10°N 76.87°WSaint CatherineAenon Town18.20°N 77.39°WClarendonAdelphi18.44°N 77.79°WSaint JamesAlbert Town18.29°N 77.54°WTrelawnyAlexandria18.29°N 77.35°WSaint AnnAlligator Pond17.87°N 77.56°WManchesterAlston18.17°N 77.43°WClarendonAnchovy18.40°N 77.93°WSaint JamesAnnotto Bay18.27°N 76.77°WSaint MaryBalaclava18.17°N 77.64°WSaint ElizabethBamboo18.38°N 77.26°WSaint AnnBath17.95°N 76.35°WSaint ThomasBethel Town18.30°N 77.95°WWestmorelandBlack River*18.03°N 77.86°WSaint ElizabethBluefields18.17°N 78.03°WWestmorelandBog Walk18.10°N 77.02°WSaint CatherineBrown’s Town18.40°N 77.36°WSaint AnnBuff Bay18.23°N 76.67°WPortlandBull Savanna17.88°N 77.59°WSaint ElizabethCambridge18.32°N 77.89°WSaint JamesCascade18.40°N 78.10°WHanoverCarron Hall18.27°N 76.94°WSaint MaryCave Valley18.27°N 77.37°WSaint AnnCedar Valley17.99°N 76.58°WSaint ThomasChapelton18.08°N 77.27°WClarendonChristiana18.17°N 77.49°WManchesterClaremont18.38°N 77.17°WSaint AnnClark’s Town18.42°N 77.57°WTrelawnyColeyville18.22°N 77.50°WManchesterComfort Castle18.05°N 76.41°WPortlandConstant Spring18.05°N 76.78°WSaint AndrewCroft’s Hill18.13°N 77.22°WClarendonCross Keys17.89°N 77.50°WManchesterDalvey17.90°N 76.25°WSaint ThomasDarliston18.23°N 77.97°WWestmorelandDias18.39°N 78.19°WHanoverDiscovery Bay18.47°N 77.39°WSaint AnnDuncans18.47°N 77.53°WTrelawnyEasington17.92°N 76.60°WSaint ThomasEwarton18.18°N 77.08°WSaint CatherineFalmouth*18.49°N 77.66°WTrelawnyFrankfield18.15°N 77.35°WClarendonFrome18.30°N 78.15°WWestmorelandGayle18.33°N 77.00°WSaint MaryGimme-Me-Bit17.89°N 77.28°WClarendonGlengoffe18.14°N 76.88°WSaint CatherineGolden Grove17.93°N 76.27°WSaint ThomasGordon Town18.05°N 76.70°WSaint Andrew
*Parish capital.
Villages in Jamaica
Village NameParishSpecial Features/NotesAccompongSaint ElizabethKnown for Maroon heritage and historical significance.Aeolus ValleySaint ThomasScenic valley with lush surroundings.Airy CastleSaint ThomasElevated village with cool breezes.Barking LodgeSaint ThomasQuaint village with rich history.Berry HillManchesterPicturesque and serene setting.BogWestmorelandQuiet village amidst greenery.Big WoodsWestmorelandRural charm and peaceful environment.BoscobelSaint MaryPopular for its coastal beauty.Bull BaySaint AndrewGateway to the Blue Mountains.CarmelWestmorelandKnown for its warm community feel.Cattawood SpringsPortlandFeatures natural springs and lush vegetation.Clarendon ParkClarendonConveniently located near main roads.CotterwoodSaint ElizabethQuiet, rustic atmosphere.DuckenfieldSaint ThomasHistorical plantation roots.Four PathsClarendonCentral village with a bustling atmosphere.HaddersfieldSaint MaryRich in history and culture.Hagley GapSaint ThomasStarting point for Blue Mountain hikes.HodgesSaint ElizabethSurrounded by rolling hills.Hopewell HallSaint ThomasElevated village with breathtaking views.HopewellVarious (Clarendon, Manchester, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Elizabeth, Westmoreland)Common village name across parishes.HopetonWestmorelandPeaceful and welcoming community.KnockpatrickManchesterElevated with cool weather.LloydsSaint ThomasSmall, tight-knit community.Long WoodSaint ElizabethKnown for its natural landscapes.Mavis BankSaint AndrewFamous for coffee plantations.MeadsfieldManchesterQuiet rural village.Middle QuartersSaint ElizabethKnown for “pepper shrimp” delicacies.Mount RosserSaint CatherineGateway to the interior.Nanny TownPortlandNamed after the Maroon leader Nanny.New HollandSaint ElizabethAgriculturally rich area.New MarketSaint ElizabethVibrant and historically significant.New RoadsSaint ElizabethClose-knit and welcoming community.NewcastleSaint AndrewHistoric British military site.Nine MileSaint AnnBirthplace of Bob Marley.Old PeraSaint ThomasHistorical village.Paynes TownSaint ElizabethSmall and serene village.Port EsquivelSaint CatherineNotable for its port facilities.Port MorantSaint ThomasRich in culture and coastal charm.RoxboroughManchesterBirthplace of National Hero Norman Manley.San SanPortlandKnown for luxurious beaches.Sheckles PenClarendonAgriculture-centric community.StonehengeSaint JamesUnique name and beautiful location.WalderstonManchesterCool and elevated location.White HallSaint ElizabethQuiet rural charm.Wood HallSaint CatherinePeaceful countryside ambiance.
Neighbourhoods of Kingston and Saint Andrew Parish
Residential & UpscaleHistorical & CulturalUrban & CentralSuburban & ScenicIndustrial & TransitionalBarbicanDowntown KingstonHalf Way TreeRed HillsRiverton MeadowsAllerdyceDenham TownEastwood Park GardensStony HillSeaview GardensCherry GardensTivoli GardensNew KingstonForest HillsCallaloo BedBelgrade MewsJones TownTrafalgar ParkNorbrookWaterhouseSmokey ValeRae TownCross RoadsQueen HillBacktoConstant SpringTrenchtownLiguaneaMeadowbrookPayne LandNorbrookAllman TownPapineMeadowbrook EstatesOlympic GardensBeverly HillsHarbour ViewMonaPembroke HallCockburn GardensLong MountainPort RoyalIthacaHope PasturesGreenwich TownJack’s HillJack’s HillWhitfield Town
Smaller Neighborhoods
Peaceful & PrivateDeveloping AreasPatrick CityZaidie GardensPatrick GardensHughendenWashington GardensHavendaleMolynes GardensNew HavenEden GardensMarverleyForest Hills GardensPembrook HallBournemouth GardensKintyreNorman GardensVineyards TownAugust TownElletson FlatsCollege CommonWoodford ParkFranklyn Town