Before its development, Jamaica Beach was a burial ground of the Karankawa people.

As the subsequent rows of houses opened for sale, the sales figures decreased slowly because while wealthy people were easily able to acquire second houses, middle-class homebuyers were unable to get a mortgage, and needed to pay for the homebuilding with cash.

[5] In the 1960s, the discovery of a skull and that it was connected to a Karankawa Native American burial ground led to an increase in public exposure and visitors.

With the growth of the second house market, almost all of the lots on Jamaica Beach had been sold by the 1970s.

Due to a decline in the United States economy, the developer closed its doors.

[6] On Saturday August 9, 2008, Jamaica Beach celebrated the 50th anniversary of its groundbreaking.

At the ceremony, Welcome Wilson donated boxes of news articles, brochures, and promotional materials in order to build a collection for a museum located at the city hall.

[9] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,078 people, 704 households, and 339 families residing in the city.

27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of 2008 the City Council includes Mayor Victor Pierson, Mayor Pro Tem Steve Spicer, and four aldermen (Brad South, Eddie Burke, Sherwood Green, and Mary Morse).

[16] The West Galveston Contract Unit (77554-9998) is at Bob Smith Drive near Farm to Market Road 3005.

Pupils in Jamaica Beach are within the Galveston Independent School District.