Editing United States Virgin Islands (section)

==Politics and government==
{{Main|Politics of the United States Virgin Islands}}
{{See also|Political party strength in the United States Virgin Islands}}

The U.S. Virgin Islands are an [[Unincorporated territories of the United States|organized, unincorporated United States territory]].<ref name="www.cia.gov">{{Cite web |title=CIA World Factbook – US Virgin Islands |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/virgin-islands/ |access-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113025648/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/virgin-islands/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although those born on the islands are [[United States nationality law|U.S. citizens]], U.S. Virgin Islanders residing in the territory are ineligible to vote for the [[United States presidential election|president of the United States]]. People born in the U.S. Virgin Islands derive their U.S. citizenship from congressional statute.<ref>{{Cite web |title=8 U.S. Code § 1406 – Persons living in and born in the Virgin Islands |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1406 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922064110/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1406 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute}}</ref>

The U.S. Democratic and Republican parties allow U.S. Virgin Islands citizens to vote in their presidential primary elections for delegates to the respective national conventions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=<!--Not stated--> |date=July 1, 2016 |title=Presidential election in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2016 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election_in_the_U.S._Virgin_Islands,_2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421025650/https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election_in_the_U.S._Virgin_Islands,_2016 |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |website=Ballotpedia }}</ref> The main political parties in the U.S. Virgin Islands themselves are the [[Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands]], the [[Independent Citizens Movement]], and the [[Republican Party of the Virgin Islands]]. Additional candidates run as independents.

At the national level, the U.S. Virgin Islands elect a [[Delegate (United States Congress)|delegate to Congress]] from their [[at-large]] {{ushr|United States Virgin Islands|AL|congressional district}}.<ref>Lin, Tom C.W., [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3454210 Americans, Almost and Forgotten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921093931/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3454210 |date=September 21, 2020 }}, 107 California Law Review (2019)</ref> The elected delegate, while able to vote in committee, cannot participate in floor votes. The current House of Representatives delegate is [[Stacey Plaskett]], a Democrat. Like other territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not have [[U.S. Senate|U.S. senators]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Watch John Oliver Cast His Ballot for Voting Rights for U.S. Territories |url=https://time.com/3736845/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-voting-rights/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918033644/http://time.com/3736845/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-voting-rights/ |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref>

At the territorial level, fifteen [[List of United States Virgin Islands Senators|senators]]—seven from the district of St.&nbsp;Croix, seven from the district of St.&nbsp;Thomas and St.&nbsp;John, and one senator at large who must be a resident of St.&nbsp;John—are elected for two-year terms to the [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Legislature of the Virgin Islands|Virgin Islands legislature]]. There is no limit as to the number of terms they can serve.<ref>{{Cite web |last=<!--Not stated--> |date=July 1, 2016 |title=Legislature of the Virgin Islands |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Legislature_of_the_Virgin_Islands |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523130706/https://ballotpedia.org/Legislature_of_the_Virgin_Islands |archive-date=May 23, 2017 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |website=Ballotpedia }}</ref>

The U.S. Virgin Islands have elected a [[List of United States Virgin Islands Governors|territorial governor]] every four years since 1970. Previous governors were appointed by the [[president of the United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=<!--Not stated--> |title=Virgin Islands – History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Virgin-Islands/History |access-date=January 2, 2020 |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |quote=All military, civil, and judicial power was invested in a governor appointed by the president of the United States./In 1968 an act was approved, which took effect in 1970, legalizing the popular election of the islands' governor and lieutenant governor for four-year terms. |archive-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102214116/https://www.britannica.com/place/Virgin-Islands/History |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Legal system===
The U.S. Virgin Islands have a [[United States Virgin Islands Superior Court|Superior Court]] and [[United States Virgin Islands Supreme Court|Supreme Court]].<ref name="www.cia.gov" /> The [[District Court of the Virgin Islands]] is responsible for cases brought under [[Law of the United States#Federal law|federal law]], and the [[U.S. Attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands|U.S. attorney for the District of the Virgin Islands]] can bring federal criminal cases there. The Superior Court is responsible for hearing cases under U.S. Virgin Islands law at the trial level, and the Supreme Court is responsible for appeals from the Superior Court for all appeals filed on or after January&nbsp;29, 2007.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} (Appeals filed prior to that date were heard by the Appellate Division of the District Court.) Appeals from the federal District Court are heard by the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit]], located in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} District Court judges are appointed by the U.S. president, while Superior Court and Supreme Court judges are appointed by the governor.

As of 2019, the USVI courts apply both American [[common law]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/virgin-islands/2019/title-1/chapter-1/4/|title=2019 US Virgin Islands Code :: Title 1 - General Provisions :: Chapter 1 - Virgin Islands Code :: § 4. Application of common law; restatements|website=Justia Law|access-date=August 18, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818190443/https://law.justia.com/codes/virgin-islands/2019/title-1/chapter-1/4/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the 2019 US Virgin Islands Code as passed by the [[Legislature of the Virgin Islands|territorial legislature]]. Because the USVI is not a state and Congress has not determined otherwise, the federal district court is an [[Federal tribunals in the United States#Article IV tribunals|Article IV tribunal]], subject to the authority of the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|United States secretary of the interior]] and without lifetime appointment for judges. Elements of [[Danish law]] have all been repealed, except for two 1914 laws having to do with customs and ship duties for St. Thomas and St. John.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/codes/virgin-islands/2019/title-1/chapter-1/6/|title=2019 US Virgin Islands Code :: Title 1 - General Provisions :: Chapter 1 - Virgin Islands Code :: § 6. Danish laws and ordinances|website=Justia Law|access-date=August 18, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818190442/https://law.justia.com/codes/virgin-islands/2019/title-1/chapter-1/6/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Attorneys who practice law in the U.S. Virgin Islands must be admitted to the Virgin Islands Bar through either a bar exam or meeting certain requirements for admission on the basis of experience in another reciprocal jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview |url=https://visupremecourt.hosted.civiclive.com/offices_of_the_court/bar_admission/overview |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=visupremecourt.hosted.civiclive.com |language=en-US}}</ref>  The bar exam consists of a standard American Bar Association multistate exam and a local law essay exam.  As in the mainland United States, attorneys practice in a variety of settings including private law firms, government, or corporate offices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual Reports |url=https://www.vicourts.org/publication_and_reports/annual_reports |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=www.vicourts.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{further|Gun laws in the United States Virgin Islands}}

===Constitution===
[[File:Legislature Building USVI 01.JPG|thumb|right|The Legislature Building in Charlotte Amalie]]
On October 21, 1976, President [[Gerald Ford]] signed {{USPL|94|584}} authorizing the people of the United States Virgin Islands to organize a government pursuant to a constitution, which would be automatically approved if Congress did not act within 60 days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2009 |title=Public Law 94 584 Full Text |url=http://www.slideshare.net/renewvipolitics/public-law-94-584-full-text |access-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225090115/https://www.slideshare.net/renewvipolitics/public-law-94-584-full-text |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2004, an act was passed by the legislature of the Virgin Islands calling for a fifth constitutional convention, and 30 delegates to the convention were elected in 2007. On May&nbsp;26, 2009, the convention adopted a proposed Constitution of the Virgin Islands. However, in June 2009, Governor [[John de Jongh|John de Jongh Jr.]] rejected the resulting constitutional draft, saying the terms of the document would "violate federal law, fail to defer to federal sovereignty and disregard basic civil rights".<ref>Poinski, Megan, [https://archive.today/20130105060930/http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17636737 "Governor Rejects Constitution Draft"], article in ''[[The Virgin Islands Daily News]]'', June 13, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2009.</ref> A lawsuit filed by members of the convention to force Governor de Jongh to forward the document to President [[Barack Obama]] was ultimately successful. President Obama forwarded the proposal to Congress in May 2010, along with a report noting concerns raised by the [[United States Department of Justice]] that the powers sought exceeded what would be considered allowable under territorial status<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corbin |first=Dr. Carlyle G. |date=January 5, 2017 |title=Choose or Lose: U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017 |url=https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/2017/01/06/Choose-or-Lose-US-Virgin-Islands-in-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128225332/https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/2017/01/06/Choose-or-Lose-US-Virgin-Islands-in-2017 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=February 16, 2017 |website=Pacific Island Times }}</ref> and restating the issues noted by Governor de Jongh. A U.S. Congressional resolution disapproving of the proposed constitution and requesting that the Fifth Constitutional Convention reconvene to consider changes to address these issues was signed into law<ref>{{USPL|111|194}}</ref> by President Obama on June 30, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Office of the White House Press Secretary |date=June 30, 2010 |title=Statement by the Press Secretary on S.J.Res. 33 |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-press-secretary-sjres-33 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216171847/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/statement-press-secretary-sjres-33 |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2010 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |via=[[NARA|National Archives]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2010 |title=USVI Constitutional Convention mandated to reconsider autonomous proposals |url=http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/news/usvi-constitutional-convention-mandated-reconsider-autonomous-proposals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028144124/http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/news/usvi-constitutional-convention-mandated-reconsider-autonomous-proposals |archive-date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=July 1, 2010 |publisher=Virgin Islands News Online}}</ref>

Months later, a federal lawsuit was filed in the federal [[District Court of the Virgin Islands]]. The lawsuit claimed that the United States had to provide U.S. Virgin Islanders with the ability to be represented in Congress and vote for U.S. president. It alleged that racial discrimination present in the all-white and segregated U.S. Congress of 1917 was the impetus to deny the right to vote to a majority nonwhite constituency. The case was ultimately dismissed on August&nbsp;16, 2012.<ref>{{Cite Pacer
| plaintiff = Charles
| defendant = FEC
| title = Opinion
| date = August 20, 2012
| case-division = 3
| case-year = 2011
| case-type = cv
| case-sequence = 00110
| case-state = vi
| doc-number = 18
| pacer-number = 28612
| access-date = July 25, 2017
| use-pacer = no
| use-recap = yes
| case-title = Charles v. U.S. Federal Election Commission et. al.
}}<br />{{Cite Pacer
| plaintiff = Charles
| defendant = FEC
| title = Order
| date = August 20, 2012
| case-division = 3
| case-year = 2011
| case-type = cv
| case-sequence = 00110
| case-state = vi
| doc-number = 19
| pacer-number = 28612
| access-date = July 25, 2017
| use-pacer = no
| use-recap = yes
| case-title = Charles v. U.S. Federal Election Commission et. al.
}}</ref>

The Fifth Constitutional Convention of the U.S. Virgin Islands met in October 2012 but was not able to produce a revised constitution before its October&nbsp;31 deadline.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lou Mattei (Daily News Staff) |date=September 29, 2012 |title=Constitutional Convention meeting marred by arguments, technical snarls – News |work=Virgin Islands Daily News |url=http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/constitutional-convention-meeting-marred-by-arguments-technical-snarls-1.1395403?localLinksEnabled=false |url-status=dead |access-date=April 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205130503/http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/constitutional-convention-meeting-marred-by-arguments-technical-snarls-1.1395403?localLinksEnabled=false |archive-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mattei, Lou |last2=Virgin Islands Daily News |date=October 29, 2012 |title=Constitutional Convention Meeting Marred by Arguments, Technical Snarls |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-33821105.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063444/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-33821105.html |archive-date=February 18, 2017 |access-date=February 16, 2017 }}</ref><ref>Mattei, Lou, Virgin Islands Daily News (October 29, 2012). "Constitutional Convention Meeting Marred by Arguments, Technical Snarls".</ref><ref>Lou Mattei (Daily News Staff) (September 29, 2012). "Constitutional Convention meeting marred by arguments, technical snarls – News". Virgin Islands Daily News. Retrieved April 8, 2013.</ref>

On November 3, 2020, the Virgin Islands held a referendum on whether to convene a sixth constitutional convention. The proposal was [[2020 United States Virgin Islands constitutional convention referendum|approved with nearly 72% voting in favor]].

===Administrative divisions===
{{Main|Districts and sub-districts of the United States Virgin Islands}}
Administratively, the U.S. Virgin Islands are [[Districts and subdistricts of the United States Virgin Islands|divided into two districts]]: the St.&nbsp;Thomas and St.&nbsp;John district, and the St.&nbsp;Croix district.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senator Marvin A. Blyden – Legislature of the Virgin Islands |url=http://www.legvi.org/senators/st-thomasst-john/senator-marvin-a-blyden/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012210449/http://www.legvi.org/senators/st-thomasst-john/senator-marvin-a-blyden/ |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Evolution of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands |url=http://www.legvi.org/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012210349/http://www.legvi.org/history/ |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018 |website=Legislature of the Virgin Islands}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=USGS. ''How many counties are there in the United States?'' Retrieved September 21, 2018. |url=https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-counties-are-there-united-states |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907033534/https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-counties-are-there-united-states |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref> However, [[United States Census Bureau|the U.S. Census Bureau]] divides each of the three main islands into three separate statistical entities (which are further divided into 20 subdistricts).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census.gov. 2010 Census – U.S. Virgin Islands Districts and Subdistricts. Retrieved September 21, 2018. |url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/news/xls/cb11cn180_vi.xls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922064127/https://www.census.gov/2010census/news/xls/cb11cn180_vi.xls |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref> Below is the U.S. Census Bureau's division model.

[[File:U.S. Virgin Islands Subdivisions.svg|frameless|upright=2.75|center]]
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto"
|+ [[Districts and sub-districts of the United States Virgin Islands|Districts and subdistricts of the U.S. Virgin Islands]]
|-
! Census County equivalents
! [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]]
! [[Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. John]]
! [[Saint Croix|St. Croix]]
|-
! style="vertical-align: top" | Subdistricts
| style="vertical-align: top" |
# Charlotte Amalie*
# [[East End, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|East End]]
# [[Northside, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Northside]]
# [[Southside, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Southside]]
# [[Tutu, U.S. Virgin Islands|Tutu]]
# [[Water Island, U.S. Virgin Islands|Water Island]]
# [[West End, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|West End]]
| style="vertical-align: top" |
# Central
# Coral Bay
# Cruz Bay
# East End
| style="vertical-align: top" |
# Anna's Hope Village
# Christiansted
# East End
# Frederiksted
# Northcentral
# Northwest
# Sion Farm
# Southcentral
# Southwest
|}

[[File:Charlotte Amalie Wade.jpg|thumb|[[Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie]], [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]], the islands' historical capital and largest town in the US Virgin Islands]]
[[File:Christiansted-1-.jpg|thumb|[[Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands|Christiansted]], the largest town on [[Saint Croix|St.&nbsp;Croix]]]]
[[File:Saint_Croix_2012_Wade_2.JPG|thumb|[[Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands|Frederiksted]], the second town on [[Saint Croix|St.&nbsp;Croix]]]]
[[File:Anna's_Retreat,_U.S._Virgin_Islands.jpg|thumb|[[Anna's Retreat, U.S. Virgin Islands|Anna's Retreat]], the second largest town or CDP in the US Virgin Islands]]
[[File:Charlotte_Amalie_West,_U.S._Virgin_Islands.jpg|thumb|[[Charlotte_Amalie_West, U.S. Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie West]], the third largest town or CDP in the US Virgin Islands]]
[[File:Cruzbay.jpg|thumb|[[Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands|Cruz Bay]], the fourth largest town or CDP in the US Virgin Islands and largest on [[Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. John]]]]
Each of the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands is counted as a [[County (United States)|county equivalent]] by the U.S. Census Bureau, with the following FIPS codes: 78010 for St.&nbsp;Croix, 78020 for St.&nbsp;John, and 78030 for St.&nbsp;Thomas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''2010 FIPS Codes for Counties and County Equivalent Entities.'' Census.gov. Retrieved September 21, 2018. |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/codes/cou.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312151513/https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/codes/cou.html |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Virgin Islands Districts |url=http://www.statoids.com/uvi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921001421/http://www.statoids.com/uvi.html |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |access-date=September 22, 2018 |website=www.statoids.com}}</ref>

While a Danish possession, the islands were divided into "quarters" (five on St. John and nine on St. Croix), which were further divided into many dozens of "estates". Estate names are still used to write addresses; estates and quarters are used in describing real estate, especially on St.&nbsp;John<ref>{{Cite web |title=St John Map of Estates on St John {{pipe}}US Virgin Islands Real Estate |url=http://www.americanparadise.com/estate_map.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213155817/http://www.americanparadise.com/estate_map.html |archive-date=December 13, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |publisher=American Paradise}}</ref> and St. Croix.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Virgin Islands Maps – Map of St. Croix Condos |url=http://www.american-virgin-islands.com/islandmaps.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103063721/http://www.american-virgin-islands.com/islandmaps.html |archive-date=January 3, 2013 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |publisher=American-virgin-islands.com}}</ref> More densely populated towns such as [[Frederiksted]] and [[Christiansted]] on St. Croix were historically referred to as "districts", in contrast to the surrounding plantation land.

All historic towns in the U.S. Virgin Islands meet all the following criteria:

# were established during the Danish colonial period and served as key economic, administrative, and cultural centers. These towns have well-defined historic districts, often featuring colonial-era architecture, narrow streets, and landmarks that reflect their European influence. Many of these towns also have legal designations as historic areas, meaning preservation efforts are in place to maintain their cultural heritage.
# have well established forts and/or other defensive structures, as they were vital for protecting against pirates, privateers, and enemy naval forces during the colonial period. These structures were built primarily during the Danish and earlier European colonial eras and played a key role in defending the islands' harbors, trade routes, and settlements.
# were also named in honor of a Danish royal family member and their Main Street historically bore a Danish name that corresponds to the title of the royal family member for whom the town was name was named after.
::* Charlotte Amalie - The town’s Main Street is named "Dronningens Gade" (Queen’s Street) in honor of the same queen.
::* Christiansted (Christian Place) - Its Main Street is named King's Street (historically called "Kongens Gade"), reflecting the Danish monarchy, King Christian VI.
::* Frederiksted (Frederik Place) - Its Main Street is named King's Street (historically called "Kongens Gade"), reflecting the Danish monarchy, King Frederik V.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Historical Towns in the United States Virgin Islands <ref name=census>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/island-areas/us-virgin-islands/population-and-housing-unit-counts/us-virgin-islands-phc-table01.pdf|title=Table 1. Population of the United States Virgin Islands : 2010 and 2020|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! Towns !! Subdistrict(s) !! Island (Census County Equivalent)!! District (Administrative County Equivalent)!! Population 
|-
| [[Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie]] || Charlotte Amalie* and Northside|| St. Thomas || St. Thomas - St. John || 8194
|-
| [[Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands|Christiansted]] || Christiansted || St. Croix || St. Croix || 1770
|-
| [[Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands|Frederiksted]] || Frederiksted || St. Croix || St. Croix || 528
|}

In contrast to the historical towns of the U.S. Virgin Islands, [[Census-designated_place| Census-Designated Places (CDPs)]] are modern statistical areas defined by the U.S. Census Bureau for demographic purposes. While CDPs in the U.S. Virgin Islands may have commercial hubs and residential developments, they do not necessarily have the same historical or administrative significance as the historical towns. CDPs in the U.S. Virgin Islands often represent suburban residential and commercial areas that grew in population and importance over time but were not formally established as towns during the Danish colonial period.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Other Census-Designated Places (CDPs) in the United States Virgin Islands 
|-
! CDPs !! Subdistrict(s) !! Island <br>(Census County Equivalent)!! District <br>(Administrative County Equivalent)!! Population
|-
| [[Anna's Retreat, U.S. Virgin Islands|Anna's Retreat]] || [[Tutu, U.S. Virgin Islands|Tutu]], Northside and Southside || St. Thomas || St. Thomas-St. John || 5519
|-
| [[Charlotte Amalie West, U.S. Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie West]] || Charlotte Amalie* and Northside || St. Thomas || St. Thomas-St. John || 4404
|-
| [[Cruz Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands|Cruz Bay]] || Cruz Bay and Central || St. John || St. Thomas-St. John || 2772
|-
| [[Charlotte Amalie East, U.S. Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie East]] || Charlotte Amalie* and Southside|| St. Thomas || St. Thomas-St. John || 1908
|-
| Frederiksted Southeast || Frederiksted || St. Croix || St. Croix || 1746
|-
| [[Coral Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands|Coral Bay]] || Coral Bay and Central || St. John || St. Thomas-St. John || 615
|-
| [[Red Hook, U.S. Virgin Islands|Red Hook]] || East End || St. Thomas || St. Thomas-St. John || 225
|}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>The subdistrict of Charlotte Amalie is considered to be "the City of Charlotte Amalie" or "the City".

===Political status===
A [[1993 United States Virgin Islands status referendum|1993 referendum on status]] attracted only 31.4% turnout, and so its results (in favor of the status quo) were considered void.<ref>[http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=vi011993 United States Virgin Islands, 11 October 1993: Status] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125161309/https://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=vi011993 |date=November 25, 2020 }} Direct Democracy {{in lang|de}}</ref> No further status referendums have been scheduled since.

The territory is classified by the [[United Nations]] as a [[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories|non-self-governing territory]]. In 2016, the [[United Nations]]' [[Special Committee on Decolonization]] recommended to the UN's General Assembly that this larger body should "actively pursue a public awareness campaign aimed at assisting the people of the United States Virgin Islands with their inalienable right to self-determination and in gaining a better understanding of the options for self-determination".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Special Committee on Decolonisation<!--Not stated--> |date=August 4, 2016 |title=Question of the U.S. Virgin Islands |url=http://overseasreview.blogspot.ca/2016/08/un-committee-reaffirms-right-of-us.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525021816/http://overseasreview.blogspot.ca/2016/08/un-committee-reaffirms-right-of-us.html |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |access-date=February 21, 2017 |website=Overseas Review |quote=Recognizing that the specific characteristics and the aspirations of the people of the United States Virgin Islands require flexible, practical and innovative approaches to the options for self-determination, without any prejudice to territorial size, geographical location, size of population or natural resources}}</ref>

In March 2023, a poll conducted by [[Suffolk University]] among USVI residents revealed 63% supported the territory becoming a [[U.S. state]] while 23% opposed. Respondents were also asked about becoming an independent country, which 58% rejected the idea to 19% who agreed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.suffolk.edu/-/media/suffolk/documents/academics/research-at-suffolk/suprc/polls/student-polls/2023/4_4_2023_usvi_marginals.pdf?la=en&hash=8914A97C4C0F172261AEAFCB41790940B37B6055 |title=Suffolk University Poll |website=Suffolk University |date=March 2023 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518051736/https://www.suffolk.edu/-/media/suffolk/documents/academics/research-at-suffolk/suprc/polls/student-polls/2023/4_4_2023_usvi_marginals.pdf?la=en&hash=8914A97C4C0F172261AEAFCB41790940B37B6055 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Governors of the U.S. Virgin Islands===
{{main|List of Governors of the Danish West Indies|List of Governors of the United States Virgin Islands}}

===Law enforcement===
[[File:U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department officers in Christianstad, St. Croix (February 2012).jpg|thumb|USVI police officers in 2012]]
[[File:USA - VIRGIN ISLANDS.jpg|thumb|USVI police patch]]

Law enforcement services are provided by the [[United States Virgin Islands Police Department]] (USVIPD).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin Island Police Department |url=http://www.vipd.gov.vi/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=VIPD Site |language=en |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517121226/http://www.vipd.gov.vi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Military===
Defense is the responsibility of the United States.<ref name="WorldFactbook" /> There are some military facilities and personnel on the islands, supported by the U.S. government:
* [[United States Army Reserve]]
* [[Virgin Islands National Guard]]
** [[Virgin Islands Air National Guard]]&nbsp;— stationed at St. Croix ANGS
** [[Virgin Islands Army National Guard]]&nbsp;— stationed at St. Croix ANGS
** Lionel A. Jackson Readiness Center&nbsp;— shared facility for Army and Air units

Although a public airport, [[Henry E. Rohlsen Airport]] has serviced aircraft from the [[United States Air Force]], as well as the [[United States Army]].