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2011 Census of Population & Housing – Jamaica
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APPENDIX I
NOTES ON MAPPING AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS
Census data will be presented at various geographic levels as follows:
enumeration district (ED), special area, constituency and parish. The ED has
already been defined.
The Special Area
Any group of contiguous enumeration districts which make up either a rural or
an urban area of special interest is called a Special Area. Three classes of special
areas were identified for the country in the 2011 Census:
1. Class A special areas: These include all parish capitals and the Kingston
Metropolitan Area (KMA) which covers Kingston and urban St Andrew;
2. Class B special areas: These include all other urban centres in Jamaica with a
population of 2,000 or more persons;
3. Class C special areas: These are rural areas of special interest.
The Constituency
This is a political unit created for the purpose of parliamentary representations.
Constituency boundaries are legally defined and in 2011 there were sixty three
(63) constituencies in Jamaica (representing the maximum possible under the
Jamaican Constitution). All enumeration districts are grouped according to
constituencies and as such no enumeration district cuts across any constituency
boundary.
The Parish
This is an established legal division which provides the broad framework for the
grouping of all other census divisions and as such is not violated by them. There
are 14 parishes, each consisting of two or more constituencies and upwards of
190 enumeration districts.
Urban Areas
In Jamaica, an area is classified as urban if it possesses a population of 2,000 or
more persons and provides a number of amenities and utilities that indicate
modern living. The definition emphasizes population and land use and seeks to
ensure that the urban landscape reflects a strong mix of Commercial, Industrial,
Residential and other urban land use functions.