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Virgin Islanders a minority in their homeland!-2010 census

-Virgin Islands' population hits 28,054
Indigenous Virgin Islanders are now a minority in their own country. Here are some of them dancing to cultural music of the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
In terms of religion, most Virgin Islanders are Methodist followed by Church of God and Anglican. In fourth for Virgin Islanders in terms of religion is Seventh-Day Adventist then Pentecostal. Photo: VINO
In terms of religion, most Virgin Islanders are Methodist followed by Church of God and Anglican. In fourth for Virgin Islanders in terms of religion is Seventh-Day Adventist then Pentecostal. Photo: VINO
The cover of the Virgin Islands 2010 Population and Housing Census report. Photo: VINO
The cover of the Virgin Islands 2010 Population and Housing Census report. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - After some four years waiting for the report to be released, the Virgin Islands 2010 Population and Housing Census was laid on the Table of the House of Assembly on November 17, 2014 by Premier and Minister of Development Planning, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith.

The report confirmed what most locals had speculated- that Virgin Islanders are now a minority in their homeland.

Who is an indigenous Virgin Islander?

While the Virgin Islands 2010 Population and Housing Census Report did not breakdown Virgin Islanders into those who are indigenous and those who are first generation Virgin Islanders, meaning they were born in the VI but not their parents or grandparents, it is also believed that the population of indigenous Virgin Islanders is even smaller.

An indigenous Virgin Islander is one who is born in the Virgin Islands (VI) and can trace their roots back to two generations where one or both of their parents and grandparents were born in the VI.

39.1 % Locals 60.9 % Expats-Lots of Guyanese

In the report, it shows that persons born in the VI are a small minority with only 39.1 % fitting that category while persons living and working in the VI and born abroad are some 60.9 %.

There are over 113 countries’ nationals living in the VI, according to the report. Most of them are from the Caribbean with the top 10 countries that accounted for a substantial portion of the population being Guyana at 7.2%; St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 7%; Jamaica, 6%; United States, 5.5%; Dominican Republic, 5.4%; USVI, 5.3%; St. Kitts & Nevis, 4.3%; Dominica, 3.9%; United Kingdom, 2.5%; and Grenada, 1.7%.

There are also people living in the VI from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia, according to the report.

Most people live on Tortola & Methodist is dominant religion for locals

Tortola is still the most populated island. The 2010 report found that 83% of the population or 23,419 persons resided on the Island of Tortola, while 14% or 3,939 persons resided on Virgin Gorda. The report also found that 285 persons resided on Anegada, 298 persons on Jost van Dyke, while the remaining islands and cays, along with persons living on yachts, accounted for 122 persons.

In terms of religion, most Virgin Islanders are Methodist followed by Church of God and Anglican. In fourth for Virgin Islanders in terms of religion is Seventh-Day Adventist then Pentecostal. For locals (people born in the VI) Muslim/Islam, Bahai, Hindu and Judaism are still minority religions, however, these faiths have heavier attendance within the 60.9% of the expat population, according to the 2010 Census Report.

Expats come to the VI to seek work-Report

The VI 2010 Census report revealed that most expats come to the Virgin Islands to seek employment at a whopping 57%.

Only a mere 29.9 % move with families and an even smaller size 0.7 % come for Education opportunities.

The Virgin Islands is an overseas colony of the United Kingdom. An appointed governor retains most of the power under the constitution with a local elected government sharing power with him and is in charge of our finances.

31 Responses to “Virgin Islanders a minority in their homeland!-2010 census”

  • Online Now (20/11/2014, 11:15) Like (37) Dislike (10) Reply
    The Virgin Islands are not a colony, not a country, they are a Territory. I don't find anything shocking or surprising about this report, this is all known (although 4 years out of date). Expats do not come to seek work, they generally come to a job that has already been offered to them which no local person is qualified to do or wants to do. They can not come here to seek work.

    In terms of the 29.9% that move with families, that will be dependants, non working spouses and children, no surprise there. And I'm amazed that the number of people comng here for education is as high a 0.7% - how bad can their local education be?
  • Really!!! (20/11/2014, 11:16) Like (32) Dislike (2) Reply
    I do believe the new Census is mistaken in many respects. I am a BVIslander born and raised, and so is my husband and son. No one from the Census or information gathering committee visited my home. So how many homes did they not visit?
  • 4 years too late. (20/11/2014, 11:59) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Many Virgin Islanders head over to St Thomas to have their children.. on the census do they give that information? This determines the overall account of Virgin Islanders. So yes they will be the minority.
    • Head of the house (20/11/2014, 18:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I accept your point but I also want to add that the 2010 census dealt with the head of the household and took demographic information for that person only. I pointed that out to the lady who recorded my data. I have four kids who are belongers but I am an expat and do not have status here, yet because of how the census was structured, my four kids are also counted as expats. I am not surprised at the results. GIGO garbage in garbage out. Ask the right questions then you will get the correct results.
  • qc (20/11/2014, 12:29) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Bvi have gone left the locals poor we
    • Ah ha (20/11/2014, 15:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The NDP nor the VIP have the interest of the BVI people at heart
      • @ ah ha (20/11/2014, 22:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        yes both NDP and VIP as the politicians are not patriotic and they don't love Tola. They love America, Britain and Canada. The politicians and their families come first and to hell with every body else. It's about me, myself, my family, close friends and I
  • Nation Building (20/11/2014, 12:52) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Many British Virgin Islands citizens in the past, have left with no intention of returning. Unlike nationals who have come here, worked then send monies to build homes and businesses in their country, BVIslanders did not do that.

    Those who remained built the country. As they left, others came in and helped developed what we have today. Unfortunately, not many BVIslanders often get specialized training in skilled areas so this type of labor is often imported.

    As noted before, many BVIslanders also have their children born in the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, hence, those numbers will not be reflected in the data to give an accurate picture.
  • not a joke (20/11/2014, 12:52) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    I hope now that Engoland see the possible risk to their dependent subjects they will tighten up the loop hole. Dont forget Jamaica and the likes of those other countries rejected British rule but now they want to feast off our little sweet. The small place is reeling from over population and exploitation of the resources that rightfully first should sustain the dependent subjects. Let the place catch itself and then grow at a reasonable pace. And while we will like to help all we need help ourselves. You just cant be coming here taking and not giving. What we have been getting are not investors; there have been a lot of takers. You think the country would have been in this state of stagnation and retract if those were 'real' investors. The BVI is a gem but I daresay we are not talking to the right people, investors with means with which mutual gains can be enjoyed. The new government must fix this.
  • oui (20/11/2014, 13:15) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Virgin islanders caused this. Check things out and you will see.
  • Scary Mary (20/11/2014, 13:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    My whole family was missed on the census as well. I believe the numbers are flawed as I have spoken to several people who claim that no census taker ever came to their homes either. We were missed in the previous census as well, but that time was understandable as we had just moved to a new house that had just been constructed and the road was less than easy to navigate. However, the road has been paved for the past 7 years, and someone is ALWAYS home during the week and on week nights, so there is really no excuse.
  • MW (20/11/2014, 13:47) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    The island man run things in the bvi
    • Islands (20/11/2014, 15:41) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      I HATE to hear and see BVIslanders calling people from other islands outside the territory in the Caribbean "island people" or "island man" as if the BV(I) isn't a group of islands too. It always confuses me. We are ALL island people! And I born right here Tortola in Peeble's Hospital, 1988.
    • @ mvw (20/11/2014, 16:27) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      for now but we will correct that next election cycle
  • long look me come from (20/11/2014, 14:10) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Will Born here ever be viable again?
    • persia (20/11/2014, 21:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      We are self-sorting ourselves into hardened, impenetrable citadels of ideological sameness that harks back to the USA darker days.
  • virgin gorda (20/11/2014, 14:23) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
    Are my eyes deceiving me? That is why B V Islanders are treated like dogs they do not count!!!
  • trrefdrfds (20/11/2014, 16:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you let the children of the virgin islands go through school preparing them for the global economy but them cant fish, farm, fix boat or nothing. What they gon stay in the bvi for? at the age of 13-15, EVERY child should know how to do something that benefits their HOME. They got high school diplomas and cant do jack squat for the community, then when them go abroad and get them big expensive degrees, employers then require 3-4 years experience on the field...LMFAO! Who stuck mopping and sweeping the floor with a BA in business while them owe the Government money? NOT MEEEE. NO Degree, but im DEBT FREEEE!
  • My girl (20/11/2014, 19:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor we ... Wow.
  • How (20/11/2014, 21:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How the two parties manage their respective risks as they battle for public opinion is likely to define the final 1 year of the NDP government
  • 123 (20/11/2014, 21:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of these expats are not absolutely 100 percent loyal and trustworthy......
  • eye wide open (20/11/2014, 22:00) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    keep your eyes on the whites who are born here deman
  • bvibuzz (21/11/2014, 06:32) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    "An indigenous Virgin Islander is one who is born in the Virgin Islands (VI) and can trace their roots back to two generations where one or both of their parents and grandparents were born in the VI."

    This is powerful thanks for the definition….so people like Myron and the Speaker are first generation and NOT indigenous…their should be a law saying only indigenous Virgin Islanders can hold certain post!!!
  • big question? (21/11/2014, 07:59) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    So now that BVIslanders are outnumbered what are we going to do about it?? the real question!
    • Online Now (21/11/2014, 09:20) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      What do you think should be done about it? Perhaps the Government needs to make some more Virgin Islanders, regardless of where they came from originally. People who want to live here and contribue to the Territory should be more important than people who don't. Proof of contributing is more important, in my opinion, than proof of heritage.
    • Reflect (22/11/2014, 20:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So you see why the Pastor under the Sunday Morning Well was saying to have more Virgin Islander babies? Because if we they are not careful Virgin Islanders may be extinct.... Time to give incentives to descendants of two-generation Virgin Islanders to get those babies down Peebles Hospital. Hope they change the name of that Hospital -- like D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
      The Pastor Bentley is deep and understand the hidden agenda of the plot to divide and conquer.
  • Not true (21/11/2014, 13:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a single group the locals are in the majority: 39.1%. The next group is the Guyanese at 7.2%. So it is not true to say the locals form the minority!
  • respect (21/11/2014, 15:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I Love the people of the BVI; what I don't understand, is why they choose to have their children in the USA when the BVI is such a lovely place? Here all the other Caribbean people are children, so what you think will happen. The Native BVIlanders will be a Minority. Simple!
  • LETWEDOTHETING (22/11/2014, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on, Virgin Islanders, let us ban together; let us start to sit down and tell the younger generations how we got to where we are today. Come on, Virgin Islanders, take courage and let's find a solution to see how we can be the majority in our country again. It got a lot of white people going up Bougainvillea Clinic and having babies right here. One day they will be two-generation Virgin Islanders. It got a white man up Beef planting bananas and cassava up the country where he lives and doing what our old time people did... He is a Virgin Islander... Do not let History repeat itself in these islands.
  • ask again (22/11/2014, 23:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who tell ayo locals to go marry dem island man and women


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