Portsmouth city, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portsmouth city, Ohio has a total population of 17,919, the 104th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $35,319, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Portsmouth city Quick Facts
How Portsmouth city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portsmouth city Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Scioto County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Boston village | 2,392 | $25,759 | 29.7% | $55,900 |
Cities Similar to Portsmouth city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtabula city | 17,919 | $43,782 | $99,200 | 12.8% | 31.6% |
| Steubenville city | 18,144 | $47,057 | $128,000 | 29.8% | 25.7% |
| Niles city | 18,301 | $49,987 | $108,400 | 20.2% | 13.0% |
| Tiffin city | 17,814 | $55,700 | $129,200 | 27.3% | 12.3% |
| Mount Vernon city | 16,802 | $54,335 | $161,400 | 24.7% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Portsmouth city is a small city located in Ohio, within Scioto County. The total population is 17,919. It ranks as the 104th most populous out of 1,264 cities and towns in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portsmouth city is 37.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portsmouth city is $35,319. This is 49% lower than the state median of $69,680. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. The poverty rate stands at 37.5%. This is 183% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.4%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $95,000. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $199,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Portsmouth city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portsmouth city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 12.1%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portsmouth city, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portsmouth city, Ohio?
Portsmouth city, Ohio has a population of 17,919 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portsmouth city, OH?
The median household income in Portsmouth city is $35,319, which is 55% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portsmouth city, OH?
The poverty rate in Portsmouth city is 37.5%. This means approximately 6,325 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portsmouth city, Ohio?
Portsmouth city's population is 83.9% White, 4.5% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portsmouth city, OH?
The median home value in Portsmouth city is $95,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Portsmouth city, Ohio?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Portsmouth city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.