City · New Hampshire
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth, city, in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Portsmouth had 23,028 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 21,956 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 22,545 (±34). GEOID 3362900.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,028
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,956 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,545 ±34
Median household income
$106,219
±$6,854 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $99,031
Median home value
$688,500
±$38,853 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $402,500
Median gross rent
$1,869
±$111 (90% margin)
New Hampshire: $1,491
Where is Portsmouth and what county is it in?
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It covers 15.7 square miles of land, 1,402 residents per square mile in 2020.
Portsmouth is in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 7 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Portsmouth, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 23,028 people lived in Portsmouth on July 1, 2025, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than New Hampshire (+2.7%). The 2020 Census counted 21,956 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 22,545 (±34).
| Measure | Portsmouth | Rockingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 22,545 ±34 | 319,082 | +770 |
| Households | 10,902 ±387 | 127,570 | +839 |
| Average household size | 2.02 ±0.07 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,370 ±405 | 137,794 | +755 |
Portsmouth's population since 2000
From 20,784 in 2000 to 23,028 in 2025: up 10.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Portsmouth as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Portsmouth?
The median resident of Portsmouth is 42.9 years old; 14.0% are under 18 and 21.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 4.1%. 9.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Portsmouth | Rockingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 ±2.0 | 45.0 | +3.1 |
| Under 18 years | 14.0% ±1.6 pts | 18.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.9% ±2.2 pts | 20.4% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±2.0 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% ±1.1 pts | 3.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.2% ±2.2 pts | 89.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.1% ±1.2 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±1.2 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±1.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.6% ±1.9 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.3% ±1.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5% ±1.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6% ±1.8 pts | 11.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7% ±1.4 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.4% ±0.9 pts | 96.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 64.0% ±3.4 pts | 45.7% | +5.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 23.4% ±2.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 82.4% ±3.0 pts | 91.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.3% ±1.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Portsmouth earn?
Half of Portsmouth's 10,902 households earn less than $106,219 a year (±$6,854), against $118,331 in Rockingham County and $99,031 in New Hampshire. In 2015-2019 it was $103,284 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Portsmouth | Rockingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $106,219 ±$6,854 | $118,331 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $145,403 ±$13,835 | $149,721 | – |
| Per capita income | $72,411 ±$6,105 | $61,558 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.8% ±1.8 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.4% ±5.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.3% ±1.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.7% ±1.2 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.6% ±2.0 pts | 95.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Portsmouth?
Owners occupy 51.9% of Portsmouth's occupied homes and renters 48.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $688,500 by its owner (±$38,853). The median renter pays $1,869 a month including utilities, and 28.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Portsmouth | Rockingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $688,500 ±$38,853 | $497,500 | +$164,717 |
| Median gross rent | $1,869 ±$111 | $1,687 | +$263 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.0% ±5.1 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,952 ±$237 | $2,669 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.9% ±3.5 pts | 78.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.1% ±3.5 pts | 21.6% | – |
| Housing units | 11,370 ±405 | 137,794 | +755 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.2% ±2.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 39.4% ±3.2 pts | 65.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.3% ±0.8 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2% ±0.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.3% ±1.4 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 32.5% ±3.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.9% ±1.8 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Portsmouth building?
Builders took permits for 556 new housing units in Portsmouth in 2025 (25 in single-family houses), 24.1 per 1,000 residents against 3.6 across New Hampshire.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Portsmouth work and get to work?
68.6% of Portsmouth's workers drive alone and 21.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.5%.
| Measure | Portsmouth | Rockingham County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.0% ±2.6 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% ±1.0 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.6% ±4.2 pts | 72.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.8% ±1.4 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 4.1% ±1.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.9% ±3.9 pts | 19.4% | +12.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.2 min ±2.2 | 28.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Portsmouth?
7 census tracts lie mostly in Portsmouth (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $82,955 (Tract 1071) to $120,114 (Tract 692).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 1072Rockingham County | 6,599 | $110,708 |
| Tract 691Rockingham County | 4,025 | $104,625 |
| Tract 692Rockingham County | 2,928 | $120,114 |
| Tract 1071Rockingham County | 2,907 | $82,955 |
| Tract 693Rockingham County | 2,200 | $107,104 |
| Tract 697Rockingham County | 3,454 | $101,302 |
| Tract 1074Rockingham County | 1,259 | $106,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Portsmouth) · Census block assignment files
How does Portsmouth compare with other places in New Hampshire?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Portsmouth is the 1,727th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 7th-most populous of 13 in New Hampshire.
Portsmouth ranks 83rd of 235 places in New Hampshire with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 7th | 13 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 39th | 187 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th | 241 |
| Median household income | 83rd | 235 |
| Per capita income | 17th | 240 |
| Median home value | 9th | 239 |
| Median gross rent | 24th | 221 |
| Poverty rate | 98th | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th | 239 |
| Median age | 157th | 239 |
| Owner-occupied share | 226th | 241 |
| Work from home | 46th | 214 |
| Travel time to work | 199th | 241 |
Portsmouth's figures with every place in New Hampshire (CSV)
Every place in New Hampshire, sortable · Compare Portsmouth with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Portsmouth?
8 of the 57 figures for Portsmouth on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Portsmouth are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Portsmouth.