Portsmouth, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portsmouth, Ohio had a total population of 17,728, the 106th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $34,713, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Portsmouth Quick Facts
How Portsmouth Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,919 | 17,728 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $35,319 | $34,713 | -1.7% |
| Median home value | $95,000 | $103,300 | +8.7% |
How Portsmouth Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portsmouth Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Scioto County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelersburg | 6,313 | $63,132 | 11.4% | $210,000 |
| West Portsmouth | 2,605 | $41,695 | 13.1% | $115,500 |
| New Boston | 2,470 | $22,932 | 31.0% | $64,200 |
| Rosemount | 2,199 | $41,742 | 13.4% | $111,900 |
| Franklin Furnace | 1,594 | $59,621 | 12.5% | $147,200 |
| Lucasville | 1,527 | $64,044 | 8.5% | $226,100 |
| South Webster | 873 | $60,417 | 16.3% | $113,100 |
| Clarktown | 802 | N/A | 20.8% | $207,400 |
| Sciotodale | 794 | $50,507 | 11.4% | $120,000 |
| McDermott | 423 | N/A | 0.0% | $66,600 |
Cities Similar to Portsmouth
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtabula | 17,856 | $44,120 | $105,900 | 11.8% | 29.8% |
| Steubenville | 18,124 | $48,172 | $130,700 | 30.1% | 26.6% |
| Niles | 18,287 | $50,953 | $116,300 | 21.3% | 16.2% |
| Tiffin | 17,818 | $56,198 | $142,200 | 27.4% | 14.8% |
| Mount Vernon | 17,052 | $53,845 | $174,000 | 23.5% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Portsmouth is a small city located in Ohio, within Scioto County. The total population is 17,728. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portsmouth is 39.0 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portsmouth is $34,713. This is 51% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.4%. This is 166% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. 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 8.3%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $103,300. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $214,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 48.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portsmouth is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.7%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 12.0%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portsmouth, Ohio is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portsmouth, Ohio?
Portsmouth, Ohio has a population of 17,728 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portsmouth, OH?
The median household income in Portsmouth is $34,713, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portsmouth, OH?
The poverty rate in Portsmouth is 35.4%. This means approximately 5,932 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portsmouth, Ohio?
Portsmouth's population is 84.5% White, 3.5% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portsmouth, OH?
The median home value in Portsmouth is $103,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Portsmouth, Ohio?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Portsmouth hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.