Frederiksted is a town and one of the two administrative districts of Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, located on the leeward side of the island. Designed by surveyor Jens Beckfor as a grid-planned city, it was originally intended to cover 14 by 14 blocks but was built over 7 by 7 blocks to enhance commerce in the 1700s. Its position on the windward shadow provides calm seas and a naturally deep port, distinguishing it from the shallower waters near Christiansted.

The town was established to protect against pirate raids and rival imperialist nations, featuring Fort Frederik named after Frederick V of Denmark, who purchased the Danish West Indies in 1754. It is historically significant as the site of the emancipation of slaves in the Danish West Indies, proclaimed on July 3, 1848, by Governor-General Peter von Scholten. The town was later destroyed by a labor revolt known as The Fireburn in October 1878 before being restored during the Victorian era.

Frederiksted is home to one of two deep water ports on Saint Croix and serves as the sole port for cruise ships visiting the island, with passengers disembarking at the Frederiksted Pier. The area features historic buildings occupied by government offices and a National Historic Site undergoing revitalization efforts. The waterfront park and pier create an artificial reef that supports diverse marine life, including eels, octopuses, and seahorses, attracting divers from around the world.

Locals often refer to Frederiksted as Freedom City due to its role in the emancipation of slaves, a legacy celebrated through community volunteerism and art projects. The town hosts successful redevelopment efforts that include murals, painted rum barrels, and garden projects organized by groups like Clean Sweep Frederiksted and the Artists Guild of St. Croix. These cultural initiatives preserve the heritage of the island while enhancing the public spaces for residents and visitors alike.

The population of Frederiksted was 2,303 as of 2020, with fewer than 1,000 people living in the town proper and nearly 10,000 in the greater western side. The climate is tropical savanna with warm weather year-round and persistent easterly trade winds that create a cool breeze. Access is primarily via rental car from the island's airport or by cruise ship, with the town operating at a slower pace except during carnival season or when ships dock.