Portsmouth, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Portsmouth, Virginia is 97,299 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 10th-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $58,972, the median home value is $229,400, and the median age is 35.8.
The population has grown 1.1% since 2010 (95,451 → 96,482).
97,299
Population
2922
People / sq mi
$58,972
Median Income
$229,400
Median Home Value
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Portsmouth covers 33.3 sq mi of land at 2922 people per square mile.
About Portsmouth, VA
The poverty rate is what most separates Portsmouth from the typical city: 14.7% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 97,299 residents, Portsmouth is a city in Virginia. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Virginia in the country, at #10 by population.
The typical household earns $58,972, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 14.7%, above the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $229,400, with typical rent around $1,266.
Degree attainment is on the lower side for US cities: 23.2% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the lower side here, at 7.9%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 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 95,451 in 2010 and 96,482 in 2024, a 1.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 97,997 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.08%.
96,482
Population (2024)
95,451
Population (2010)
97,997
Peak (2020)
0.08%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 95,451 |
| 2011 | 95,748 |
| 2012 | 96,480 |
| 2013 | 96,075 |
| 2014 | 95,829 |
| 2015 | 96,336 |
| 2016 | 95,165 |
| 2017 | 94,838 |
| 2018 | 94,750 |
| 2019 | 94,398 |
| 2020 | 97,997 |
| 2021 | 97,700 |
| 2022 | 96,989 |
| 2023 | 96,782 |
| 2024 | 96,482 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 36.9% |
| Black or African American | 51.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$58,972
Median Household Income
$32,915
Per Capita Income
14.7%
Poverty Rate
3.8%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$229,400
Median Home Value
$1,266
Median Rent
56.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
89.2%
High School+
23.2%
Bachelor's+
Commute
1.3%
Drive Alone
73.1%
Public Transit
7.9%
Work From Home
23.0 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
31.6%
Foreign Born
95.3%
Non-English at Home
12.2%
Veterans
15.9%
With Disability
93.4%
Health Insurance
94.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 23.3% |
| Manufacturing | 12.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 9.7% |
| Public Administration | 7.7% |
| Retail Trade | 6.9% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.4% |
| Construction | 6.2% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.6% |
| Information | 5.4% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.4% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.1% |
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Portsmouth, Virginia has a population of 97,299 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 10th-largest city in Virginia.
The median household income in Portsmouth, Virginia is $58,972, with 14.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Portsmouth, Virginia is $229,400, with median monthly rent at $1,266 and a homeownership rate of 56.9%.
The median age in Portsmouth, Virginia is 35.8 years. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
The population has grown 1.1% since 2010 (95,451 → 96,482).
Where to stay in Portsmouth
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Statewide data for Virginia
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.