Jamaica Parishes and Capitals - Parishes in Jamaica

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes. Here is a list of the parishes in Jamaica:

Jamaica is a Caribbean island country located south of Cuba and west of Haiti in the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided into 14 parishes, and those parishes are grouped into three historic counties for administrative and cultural purposes. Kingston is the national capital and also the largest city in Jamaica.

The country includes tropical beaches, mountain ranges, rainforests, river valleys, farming regions, and coastal towns spread across the island. Different parishes are known for tourism, agriculture, music culture, ports, waterfalls, and historic colonial settlements.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Kingston
  • Total population: 2,840,000 (Official estimate 2025)
  • Total area: 10,991 km² (4,244 sq miles)
  • Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
  • Bordering countries: None - island nation
  • Total Parishes: 14
  • Historic Counties: 3

List of Parishes and Capitals of Jamaica

Total parishes shown: 14 | Combined population: 2,840,000 | Combined area: 10,991 km²

#Parish NameCapital CityCountyArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1ClarendonMay PenMiddlesex1,196245,000
2HanoverLuceaCornwall45072,000
3KingstonKingstonSurrey2590,000
4ManchesterMandevilleMiddlesex830190,000
5PortlandPort AntonioSurrey81483,000
6Saint AndrewHalf Way TreeSurrey431580,000
7Saint AnnSaint Ann's BayMiddlesex1,213175,000
8Saint CatherineSpanish TownMiddlesex1,192530,000
9Saint ElizabethBlack RiverCornwall1,212150,000
10Saint JamesMontego BayCornwall595190,000
11Saint MaryPort MariaMiddlesex611112,000
12Saint ThomasMorant BaySurrey74295,000
13TrelawnyFalmouthCornwall87477,000
14WestmorelandSavanna-la-MarCornwall807251,000

Largest Parishes by Area

  • Saint Ann - 468 sq mi (1,213 km²)
  • Saint Elizabeth - 468 sq mi (1,212 km²)
  • Clarendon - 462 sq mi (1,196 km²)
  • Saint Catherine - 460 sq mi (1,192 km²)
  • Trelawny - 337 sq mi (874 km²)
  • Manchester - 320 sq mi (830 km²)
  • Portland - 314 sq mi (814 km²)
  • Westmoreland - 312 sq mi (807 km²)

Most Populous Parishes

  • Saint Andrew - Population: 580,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Saint Catherine - Population: 530,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Westmoreland - Population: 251,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Clarendon - Population: 245,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Manchester - Population: 190,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Saint James - Population: 190,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Saint Ann - Population: 175,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Saint Elizabeth - Population: 150,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Parishes by Area

  • Kingston - 10 sq mi (25 km²)
  • Saint Andrew - 166 sq mi (431 km²)
  • Hanover - 174 sq mi (450 km²)
  • Saint James - 230 sq mi (595 km²)
  • Saint Mary - 236 sq mi (611 km²)
  • Saint Thomas - 286 sq mi (742 km²)

Parishes by County Grouping

  • Cornwall: Hanover, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Trelawny, Westmoreland
  • Middlesex: Clarendon, Manchester, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Mary
  • Surrey: Kingston, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Thomas

Landlocked Parishes

  • Clarendon
  • Manchester
  • Saint Andrew
  • Saint Catherine

Parishes with Coastline

  • Hanover
  • Kingston
  • Portland
  • Saint Ann
  • Saint Elizabeth
  • Saint James
  • Saint Mary
  • Saint Thomas
  • Trelawny
  • Westmoreland

Parishes Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • None - Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea.

Sources