The Five Permanently Inhabited U.S. Territories

The United States has five permanently inhabited, unincorporated territories (plus several uninhabited ones). Each has a distinct political status, but all are under U.S. sovereignty.

The Five

1. Puerto Rico (Caribbean) – Pop. ~3.2M. Largest, most populous. Commonwealth status. U.S. citizens since 1917. No presidential vote; one non-voting Resident Commissioner in House.
2. Guam (Western Pacific) – Pop. ~170K. Strategic military hub (Andersen AFB, Naval Base). U.S. citizens since 1950. Non-voting Delegate in House.
3. U.S. Virgin Islands (Caribbean: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix) – Pop. ~87K. U.S. citizens since 1927. Non-voting Delegate.
4. Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (Western Pacific: Saipan, Tinian, Rota) – Pop. ~47K. Commonwealth in political union with U.S. since 1976. U.S. citizens since 1986. Non-voting Delegate.
5. American Samoa (South Pacific) – Pop. ~45K. Only U.S. territory where birth does NOT grant U.S. citizenship (grants U.S. *national* status). Self-governing under 1967 constitution. Non-voting Delegate.

Key Commonalities

• U.S. Constitution applies partially (Insular Cases doctrine).
• No Electoral College votes for President.
• No voting Senators.
• Residents pay most federal taxes (except American Samoa has its own tax system).
• Subject to U.S. federal law & courts.

Uninhabited Territories (Minor Outlying Islands)

Baker, Howland, Jarvis, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway, Palmyra, Wake Island—mostly wildlife refuges/military sites.