Jamestown, St Helena represents the island’s hub for almost everything. It’s where you will find the island’s main shops, restaurants & cafes, banking and other key business activities.
The St Helena Government is based at The Castle, the police headquarters is just up the street and the St Helena General Hospital is found at the top of Jamestown.
Jamestown is also home to a significant portion of the island’s population.
In 1871, there were 2,963 people living in Jamestown, excluding 99 people living in Rupert’s.
By 1976 that number was 1,516, including the Rupert’s residents.
The 2021 census recorded there were just 629 people living in Jamestown – including those in Rupert’s.
Although Jamestown may seem busy today, it was once heaving with people when more than 1,000 sailing ships used to call each year, during voyages from Europe to the far East.
This relentless flow of sea traffic ceased when the Suez Canal opened, in 1869.