Quick facts
Kingston overview
Kingston (orange) and the other large cities of Jamaica
Kingston lies in Jamaica at 18°N, 76.79°W, about 65 m above sea level. The local time zone is America/Jamaica (UTC-5); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Jamaica: the next largest cities are Spanish Town (145,018), Portmore (102,861), Montego Bay (82,867). Together, the three largest cities hold 41.9% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Half Way Tree, about 2 km away, followed by Portmore (10 km).
Jamaica as a whole has a live population of 2,832,806 (-0.2% a year) and ranks #142 of 238 countries — see the Jamaica population page for the full statistics and the Jamaica atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Kingston
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Half Way Tree Saint Andrew Parish | 2 km | 18,552 |
| Portmore Saint Catherine Parish | 10 km | 102,861 |
| Spanish Town Saint Catherine Parish | 17 km | 145,018 |
| Linstead Saint Catherine Parish | 30 km | 20,660 |
| Old Harbour Saint Catherine Parish | 34 km | 26,024 |
| May Pen Clarendon | 48 km | 44,755 |
| Ocho Rios Saint Ann Parish | 56 km | 26,503 |
| Mandeville Manchester | 76 km | 47,115 |
Largest cities in Jamaica
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KingstonCapital | Kingston | 937,700 |
| 2 | Spanish Town | Saint Catherine Parish | 145,018 |
| 3 | Portmore | Saint Catherine Parish | 102,861 |
| 4 | Montego Bay | Saint James Parish | 82,867 |
| 5 | Mandeville | Manchester | 47,115 |
| 6 | May Pen | Clarendon | 44,755 |
| 7 | Ocho Rios | Saint Ann Parish | 26,503 |
| 8 | Old Harbour | Saint Catherine Parish | 26,024 |
| 9 | Linstead | Saint Catherine Parish | 20,660 |
| 10 | Half Way Tree | Saint Andrew Parish | 18,552 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Kingston?
Kingston has about 937,700 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Kingston the capital of Jamaica?
Yes — Kingston is the national capital of Jamaica.
How big is Kingston compared with the rest of Jamaica?
Its 937,700 residents are 33.1% of the 2,832,806 people living in Jamaica today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Kingston?
In Jamaica, at latitude 18 and longitude -76.79, 65 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Half Way Tree (2 km), Portmore (10 km), Spanish Town (17 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Kingston Population 2026 — Jamaica. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/jamaica/kingston/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/jamaica/kingston/">Kingston Population 2026 — Jamaica</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.