Portsmouth, Ohio Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Portsmouth, Ohio is 17,919 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 105th-largest city in Ohio. The median household income is $35,319, the median home value is $95,000, and the median age is 37.1.
The population has declined 13.5% since 2010 (20,219 → 17,489).
17,919
Population
1670
People / sq mi
$35,319
Median Income
$95,000
Median Home Value
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Portsmouth covers 10.7 sq mi of land at 1670 people per square mile.
About Portsmouth, OH
The poverty rate is what most separates Portsmouth from the typical city: 32.2% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 17,919 residents, Portsmouth is a city in Ohio.
Household earnings sit near the bottom of the range at $35,319, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 32.2%, is among the steepest of comparable US cities and above the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $95,000, with typical rent around $758.
Degree attainment is on the lower side for US cities: 18.0% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national 35.0%. Just 5.4% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Portsmouth: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Portsmouth city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Portsmouth city had a population of 20,219 in 2010 and 17,489 in 2024, a -13.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 20,385 in 2017. Average annual growth rate: -1.00%.
17,489
Population (2024)
20,219
Population (2010)
20,385
Peak (2017)
-1.00%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20,219 |
| 2011 | 20,378 |
| 2012 | 20,340 |
| 2013 | 20,297 |
| 2014 | 20,288 |
| 2015 | 20,329 |
| 2016 | 20,330 |
| 2017 | 20,385 |
| 2018 | 20,265 |
| 2019 | 20,158 |
| 2020 | 18,207 |
| 2021 | 17,789 |
| 2022 | 17,615 |
| 2023 | 17,600 |
| 2024 | 17,489 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 86.1% |
| Black or African American | 4.5% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$35,319
Median Household Income
$23,758
Per Capita Income
32.2%
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$95,000
Median Home Value
$758
Median Rent
46.8%
Owner-Occupied
Education
85.7%
High School+
18.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
78.2%
Public Transit
5.4%
Work From Home
19.8 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
16.6%
Foreign Born
97.2%
Non-English at Home
7.0%
Veterans
25.2%
With Disability
94.8%
Health Insurance
89.1%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 36.7% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.9% |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.0% |
| Construction | 6.4% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.8% |
| Retail Trade | 4.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.7% |
| Information | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.9% |
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Part of Ohio
Metro areas in Ohio
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Portsmouth, Ohio has a population of 17,919 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 105th-largest city in Ohio.
The median household income in Portsmouth, Ohio is $35,319, with 32.2% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Portsmouth, Ohio is $95,000, with median monthly rent at $758 and a homeownership rate of 46.8%.
The median age in Portsmouth, Ohio is 37.1 years. The population is 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
The population has declined 13.5% since 2010 (20,219 → 17,489).
Where to stay in Portsmouth
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.