Portsmouth city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portsmouth city, Virginia has a total population of 97,299, the 10th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $58,972, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portsmouth city Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke city | 98,677 | $52,671 | $180,500 | 28.9% | 19.7% |
| Lynchburg city | 79,255 | $59,808 | $211,800 | 38.5% | 17.4% |
| Suffolk city | 96,638 | $90,089 | $329,600 | 32.4% | 9.9% |
| Hampton city | 137,334 | $67,758 | $234,100 | 27.5% | 13.0% |
| Dale City CDP | 72,793 | $113,245 | $400,100 | 33.0% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Portsmouth city is a mid-sized community located in Virginia, within Portsmouth city. The total population is 97,299. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portsmouth city is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portsmouth city is $58,972. This is 35% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 77% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $229,400. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 56.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portsmouth city is Black or African American, making up 51.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (51.2% vs 18.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.1%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portsmouth city, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portsmouth city, Virginia?
Portsmouth city, Virginia has a population of 97,299 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portsmouth city, VA?
The median household income in Portsmouth city is $58,972, which is 25% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portsmouth city, VA?
The poverty rate in Portsmouth city is 17.6%. This means approximately 16,612 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portsmouth city, Virginia?
Portsmouth city's population is 35.9% White, 51.2% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portsmouth city, VA?
The median home value in Portsmouth city is $229,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Portsmouth city, Virginia?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Portsmouth city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.