Portsmouth city, Virginia Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 20th-largest in Virginia

The population of Portsmouth city, Virginia is 97,299 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-largest county 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 of Portsmouth city has grown 1.1% since 2010 (95,457 → 96,482), a +0.08% annualized rate.

Portsmouth city within Virginia · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

97,299

Population

+0.08%

Annual growth

2922

People / sq mi

$58,972

Median Income

$229,400

Median Home Value

Portsmouth city covers 33 sq mi of land at 2921.8 people per square mile.

About Portsmouth city, VA

Portsmouth city is a county in Virginia with a population of 97,299. It ranks #20 among counties in Virginia by population. The median age is 35.8, younger than the national median. The population is 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

The median household income in Portsmouth city is $58,972, below the US median of $74,580. 14.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $229,400, with monthly rent averaging $1,266. The homeownership rate of 56.9% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Portsmouth city reflects 23.2% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 23.0 minutes each way.

Portsmouth city Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Portsmouth city had a population of 95,457 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)

95,457

Population (2010)

97,997

Peak (2020)

0.08%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	95,457	-	-	estimate
2011	95,767	+310	+0.32%	estimate
2012	96,516	+749	+0.78%	estimate
2013	96,123	-393	-0.41%	estimate
2014	95,886	-237	-0.25%	estimate
2015	96,407	+521	+0.54%	estimate
2016	95,287	-1,120	-1.16%	estimate
2017	94,964	-323	-0.34%	estimate
2018	94,879	-85	-0.09%	estimate
2019	94,582	-297	-0.31%	estimate
2020	97,997	+3,415	+3.61%	estimate
2021	97,700	-297	-0.30%	estimate
2022	96,989	-711	-0.73%	estimate
2023	96,782	-207	-0.21%	estimate
2024	96,482	-300	-0.31%	estimate

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%

Age & Sex

35.8

Median Age

52.0%

Female

48.0%

Male

15.1%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

7.1%

5–9

6.0%

10–14

6.8%

15–19

5.4%

20–24

7.0%

25–34

16.6%

35–44

13.0%

45–54

10.6%

55–59

5.7%

60–64

6.5%

65–74

9.3%

75–84

4.1%

85+

1.7%

Children (under 15): 19.9% · Seniors (65+): 15.1%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$58,972$-32,002 vs state
Mean household income	$77,280
Per-capita income	$32,915
Poverty rate	14.7%+7.9% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.8%
Employment-to-population	54.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

23.3%

Manufacturing

12.5%

Finance & real estate

9.7%

Public administration

7.7%

Retail trade

6.9%

Education & health care

6.4%

Construction

6.2%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.6%

The largest employment sector in Portsmouth city is professional & business services, accounting for 23.3% of workers.

How residents commute

1.3%

Drive alone

3.1%

Carpool

73.1%

Public transit

7.9%

Work from home

23.0 min

Avg commute

Housing

$229,400$-131,300 vs state

Median home value

$1,266

Median rent

56.9%

Homeownership rate

43,233

Total housing units

91.8%

Occupied

8.2%

Vacant

43.1%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

93.4%

With health insurance

94.0%

With broadband internet

31.6%

Foreign-born

12.2%

Veterans (18+)

15.9%

With a disability

95.3%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

89.2%

High School+

23.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Virginia

Virginia Beach (457,066)Chesapeake (251,153)Arlington (235,463)Norfolk (235,037)Richmond (227,595)Newport News (184,774)Alexandria (156,788)Hampton (137,334)Roanoke (98,677)Portsmouth (97,299)All Virginia cities →

Other counties in Virginia

Fairfax County (1,144,474)Prince William County (484,625)Virginia Beach city (457,066)Loudoun County (427,082)Chesterfield County (371,610)Henrico County (334,434)Chesapeake city (251,153)Arlington County (235,463)Norfolk city (235,037)Richmond city (227,595)All Virginia counties →

Part of Virginia

Virginia demographic profile All Virginia data →

Metro areas in Virginia

Washington (6,263,796)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Richmond (1,327,321)Roanoke (314,661)Kingsport (309,580)Lynchburg (262,716)Charlottesville (222,937)Blacksburg (181,605)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Portsmouth city, Virginia has a population of 97,299 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-largest county in Virginia. Population density is 2922 people per square mile.

The population of Portsmouth city has grown 1.1% since 2010 (95,457 → 96,482), a +0.08% annualized rate.

The median household income in Portsmouth city, Virginia is $58,972, with mean (average) household income of $77,280 and per-capita income of $32,915. 14.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Portsmouth city, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Black or African American (51.7%), White (36.9%), Hispanic or Latino (2.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Portsmouth city, Virginia is 35.8 years. Residents are 52.0% female and 48.0% male.

The median home value in Portsmouth city is $229,400 and median monthly rent is $1,266. 56.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 43,233 total housing units, 8.2% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Portsmouth city, Virginia is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Virginia Beach is among the largest cities associated with Portsmouth city, Virginia, with a population of 457,066.