The population of Kingston City is estimated at just under 60,000 people. However, the city has a very low vacancy rate for residential units. The American Community Survey estimates that only 312 residential units are vacant, which is only about 6 percent of the total number of homes in the city. Many of these units are seasonal. Of those that aren't vacant, the vacancy rate for owner-occupied units is 1.3 percent, while it is zero for renter-occupied units.
There are many different neighborhoods in Kingston, with varying degrees of poverty. One area is Trench Town, a low-income settlement located in the western part of Downtown Kingston. This area is characterized by high poverty and political tribalism. It also has a high crime rate and violence. The majority of people living in Trench Town are black. While many of the people who live in Trench Town are from the city, many are from rural areas.
The cost of housing in Kingston is relatively high, and nearly a third of households pay more than thirty percent of their income on housing costs. Those who rent are also heavily burdened by the cost of housing, with forty percent of households paying more than half of their income. This is particularly pronounced for seniors, who are often the lowest earners. The cost of housing in Kingston is especially high for those who do not own their homes.