Increase in number of urban districts across the island

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is reporting an increase in the number of urban districts across the island.

According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, 61 per cent of the population is living in urban areas and 39 per cent in rural areas.

Of the 6,611 enumeration districts, 4,021 were considered urban, while 2,590 were categorised as rural.

Director, Censuses, Demographic and Social Statistics, Stacy-Ann Robinson, said this represents an 11 per cent increase in urban areas, as in the 2011 census, there was an equal percentage of rural and urban areas.

The preliminary census and geospatial results were presented during STATIN’s Quarterly Press Briefing, held on Wednesday (October 15) at S Hotel in Kingston.

Robinson explained that urbanisation refers to the rapid increase in the proportion of the population living in towns and cities within an area of a country.

“The term urban refers to areas characterised by high population density and built environments, including cities and towns where most economic activities are non-agricultural, and infrastructure is well developed,” she said.

She added that STATIN defines an urban area as a densely populated locality with at least 2,000 inhabitants and a population density of 500 or more persons per kilometre square and advanced socio-economic infrastructure.

Some of the amenities that an urban area has include security, regular garbage collection, secondary schools, healthcare facilities, water supply inside dwellings, financial services, land used for commercial and residential purposes.

Robinson said the top-five urbanised parishes are Kingston, St Andrew, St James, St Catherine and St. Ann at 100, 90, 75, 71 and 51 per cent, respectively.

“This growth is attributed to the expansion and development of key urban areas, such as Montego Bay, St Andrew Proper, Spanish Town and Portmore, as well as Old Harbour,” she explained.

The parish with the most rural districts is Clarendon at 329, followed by St Elizabeth with 281.

Meanwhile, Robinson advised that the 2022 census redefined urban and there are now four classes of urbanisation.

Class A urban areas include all parish capitals, which serve as the main administrative centres of the country.

These areas are characterised by high population densities and comprehensive access to major urban amenities and services.

Some notable examples are the Kingston Metropolitan Area, Morant Bay, Falmouth, Montego Bay, and Spanish Town.

“Class B urban areas also exhibit high population densities but do not serve as the primary administrative centres of their respective parishes. While their amenities are of a lower order than those found in parish capitals, some may offer comparable levels of services,” she said, giving Portmore in St Catherine and Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth as examples.

Robinson explained that Class C urban areas represent medium-sized growing urban centres.

These areas have moderate population densities and are experiencing steady improvements in urban infrastructure and amenities.

Examples of Class C urban areas include Duncans in Trelawny, Grange Hill in Westmoreland and Chapelton in Clarendon.

“Class D urban areas are emerging urban centres with lower population densities and limited access to urban services. These areas are in the preliminary stages of urban development like White House, Petersfield and Darliston in Westmoreland; Bamboo, Alexandria, and Moneague in St Ann and Bath and Yallahs in St Thomas,” Robinson said.

-JIS News

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