Because of its relatively late foundation, Nieuw- en Sint Joosland is not a churchvillage, but more of a wegdorp, despite its clear village centre.

A small core arose in the 'Oud-Sint Jooslandpolder', the actual 'Sint Joosland', but it did not get any bigger; this hamlet is now called 'Oudedorp'.

Because of this, the wood industry in 'Nieuw- en Sint Joosland' was redundant, that is why they concentrated on agriculture instead.

More than half of the territory, almost 8 km2, belongs to the municipality Vlissingen, around 7 km2 to Middelburg and 7 ha to Arnemuiden.

During the municipal reorganization of 1997 the village received the northern part of the 'Nieuw- en Sint Jooslandpolder' back from Vlissingen.