County · Virginia
Portsmouth city, Virginia
Portsmouth city, Virginia. Portsmouth city had 96,777 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.2% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 31 census tracts. GEOID 51740.
Portsmouth city is one of the 18 counties of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Portsmouth city is the same area as Portsmouth: the county and the city are one area with the same figures. This page lists its census tracts and the places within it; the city's page has its city ranks and its building permits.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
96,777
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 97,915 · ACS 2020-2024: 97,190
Median household income
$60,491
±$1,948 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$246,900
±$5,361 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$1,300
±$26 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
How many people live in Portsmouth city, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 97,915 residents in Portsmouth city. The Census Bureau estimates 96,777 for July 1, 2025, down 1.2% since 2020, while Virginia grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 97,190 over 33 square miles of land.
| Measure | Portsmouth city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 97,190 | 8,705,170 | +2,093 |
| Households | 40,288±452 | 3,365,732 | +3,918 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.03 | 2.52 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 43,318±67 | 3,684,756 | +2,411 |
Portsmouth city's population since 2000
From 100,565 in 2000 to 96,777 in 2025: down 3.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Portsmouth city?
Portsmouth city holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Portsmouth with 96,777 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Portsmouth | 97,915 | $60,491 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Portsmouth city?
The median resident of Portsmouth city is 35.9 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 15.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 50.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 35.4%. 3.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Portsmouth city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9±0.3 | 39.0 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.0%±0.1 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.5%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.4% | 11.0% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 35.4%±0.2 pts | 58.4% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 50.2%±1.0 pts | 18.3% | −2.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.2 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.5%±1.0 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.3%±0.5 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.3%±0.7 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.8%±1.0 pts | 9.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.0%±1.1 pts | 12.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.4%±1.1 pts | 6.9% | −2.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.0%±0.9 pts | 91.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.3%±1.3 pts | 42.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.9%±0.8 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3%±0.6 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 city earn?
Half of Portsmouth city's 40,288 households earn less than $60,491 a year (±$1,948), against $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $64,211 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,720 after inflation. 17.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Portsmouth city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,491±$1,948 | $93,170 | −$3,720 |
| Mean household income | $77,856±$3,053 | $128,260 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,568±$1,291 | $50,666 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.3%±1.7 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.9%±4.1 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.9%±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.0%±1.5 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 city?
Owners occupy 57.9% of Portsmouth city's occupied homes and renters 42.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $246,900 by its owner (±$5,361). The median renter pays $1,300 a month including utilities, and 50.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Portsmouth city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $246,900±$5,361 | $383,700 | +$36,574 |
| Median gross rent | $1,300±$26 | $1,579 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.7%±3.7 pts | 39.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,752±$52 | $2,127 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.9%±1.8 pts | 67.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Housing units | 43,318±67 | 3,684,756 | +2,411 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5%±1.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.5%±1.5 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.9%±1.2 pts | 7.0% | – |
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 city building?
Builders took permits for 179 new housing units across Portsmouth city in 2025 (125 single-family), 1.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Portsmouth city get to work?
71.1% of Portsmouth city's workers drive alone and 8.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Portsmouth city | Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.8%±1.5 pts | 65.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6%±0.9 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.1%±2.3 pts | 67.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.3%±1.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.6%±0.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Walked | 3.2%±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.7%±1.2 pts | 18.3% | +6.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.7 min±0.9 | 27.3 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 are Portsmouth city's census tracts?
Portsmouth city is divided into 31 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $22,544 (Tract 2105) to $108,267 (Tract 2131.04).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Portsmouth city compare with Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 133 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 102nd of 133 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th of 133 |
| Median household income | 92nd of 133 |
| Median home value | 71st of 133 |
| Median gross rent | 40th of 133 |
| Poverty rate | 30th of 133 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 81st of 133 |
| Median age | 116th of 133 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 city 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' school search.