Portsmouth city, VA

County

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2024 Population

97,190

US Senator

Mark Warner

Democratic Party

US Senator

Tim Kaine

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

35.9

0.279% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

17.3%

1.41% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$60,491

2.58% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$246,900

7.63% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

42,140

1.49% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Portsmouth city, VA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.5% of the residents in Portsmouth city, VA are U.S. citizens.

In 2024, the median property value in Portsmouth city, VA was $246,900, and the homeownership rate was 57.9%.

Most people in Portsmouth city, VA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Portsmouth city, VA was 2 cars per household.

Portsmouth city, VA borders Chesapeake city, VA, Hampton city, VA, Newport News city, VA, Norfolk city, VA, and Suffolk city, VA.

United States Virginia Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

Population & Diversity

Portsmouth city, VA is home to a population of 97.2k people, from which 98.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.26% of Portsmouth city, VA residents were born outside of the country (3.17k people).

In 2024, there were 1.42 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (48.8k people) in Portsmouth city, VA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.4k White (Non-Hispanic) and 5.73k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.5%

2024 Citizenship

98.6%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 98.5% of Portsmouth city, VA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Portsmouth city, VA was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Portsmouth city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Portsmouth city, VA

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
48.8k ± 987
White (Non-Hispanic)
34.4k ± 199
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
5.73k ± 932

5.38%

Hispanic Population

5.23k people

5.38% of the people in Portsmouth city, VA are hispanic (5.23k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Portsmouth city, VA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Virginia.

Most Common Origin

El Salvador
108,778 ± 8,047 people
India
98,440 ± 7,659 people
Mexico
58,677 ± 5,927 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Virginia was El Salvador, the natal country of 108,778 Virginia residents, followed by India with 98,440 and Mexico with 58,677.

Foreign-Born Population

3.26%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

3.17k people

2.94%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

2.86k people

As of 2024, 3.26% of Portsmouth city, VA residents (3.17k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Portsmouth city, VA was 2.94%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Portsmouth city, VA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
4,064 ± 547
Vietnam
1,895 ± 241
Gulf War (1990s)
1,555 ± 315

Portsmouth city, VA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.14 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Portsmouth city, VA.

Health

92.6% of the population of Portsmouth city, VA has health coverage, with 32.6% on employee plans, 23.3% on Medicaid, 11.6% on Medicare, 17.9% on non-group plans, and 7.19% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Portsmouth County, VA see 1,658 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,658 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 571 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 287 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.3% were men and 53.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,658 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Portsmouth County, VA

Primary care physicians in Portsmouth County, VA see an average of 1,658 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,658 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Portsmouth County, VA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 22.2% between 18 and 34 years, 36.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.3% were men and 53.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.41%

Uninsured

32.6%

Employer Coverage

23.3%

Medicaid

11.6%

Medicare

17.9%

Non-Group

7.19%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Portsmouth city, VA grew by 12.6% from 6.58% to 7.41%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Portsmouth city, VA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 6.02 in Portsmouth city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Portsmouth city, VA.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 45.2% in Portsmouth city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Portsmouth city, VA.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 7.04% in Portsmouth city, VA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Portsmouth city, VA.

Economy

The economy of Portsmouth city, VA employs 42.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Portsmouth city, VA were Health Care & Social Assistance (6,952 people), Retail Trade (5,705 people), and Manufacturing (5,454 people), and the highest paying industries were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($78,625), Information ($73,118), and Public Administration ($68,952).

Employment

Occupations

42.1k

2024 Value

± 1,802

1.49%

1 Year growth

± 5.89%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portsmouth city, VA grew at a rate of 1.49%, from 41.5k employees to 42.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Portsmouth city, VA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,705 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,028 people), and Management Occupations (3,327 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Portsmouth city, VA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Virginia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

42.1k

2024 Value

± 1,802

1.49%

1 Year growth

± 5.89%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Portsmouth city, VA grew at a rate of 1.49%, from 41.5k employees to 42.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Portsmouth city, VA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,952 people), Retail Trade (5,705 people), and Manufacturing (5,454 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Portsmouth city, VA, though some of these residents may live in Portsmouth city, VA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$49,387

Median earning men ± $2,169

$38,118

Median earning women ± $1,802

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($83,125), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($78,625), and Manufacturing ($66,250).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($74,344), Public Administration ($61,351), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($51,629).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Y-Axis

2.48%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.1M people employed in Virginia. This represents a 2.48% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Virginia.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

131
Other Services (except Public Administration)
116
Retail Trade
75
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$412k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$138k
Transportation and Warehousing
$119k
Construction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing the state of Virginia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Virginia is currently represented by 11 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Portsmouth city, VA. Showing the available data for Virginia.

2024 Election Results

Kamala Harris (51.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (46.1%)
Republican Party
Other (0.905%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Virginia went to Kamala Harris with 51.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (46.1%), followed by Other (0.905%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Virginia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Virginia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Virginia.

Mark Warner

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Tim Kaine

Senator from Virginia

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are the senators currently representing Virginia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Virginia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Portsmouth city, VA was $246,900 in 2024, which is 0.742 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $229,400 to $246,900, a 7.63% increase. The homeownership rate in Portsmouth city, VA is 57.9%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Portsmouth city, VA have an average commute time of 23.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Portsmouth city, VA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 21% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Portsmouth city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.383%.

Housing

Property

$246,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,361

$23,344

Median Property Taxes

±$1,126

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Portsmouth city, VA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Portsmouth city, VA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

57.9%

Homeownership

2024

65.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 57.9% of the housing units in Portsmouth city, VA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 56.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Portsmouth city, VA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,491

Median Household Income

± $1,948

40.3k

Number of Households

± 1,690

In 2024, the median household income of the 40.3k households in Portsmouth city, VA grew to $60,491 from the previous year's value of $58,972.

The following chart displays the households in Portsmouth city, VA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Portsmouth city, VA is from Virginia.

0.47

2024 Wage GINI in Virginia

0.472

2023 Wage GINI in Virginia

In 2024, the income inequality in Virginia was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.376% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Virginia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Virginia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Virginia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (71.1%)
Carpooled (12.3%)
Worked At Home (8.71%)

In 2024, 71.1% of workers in Portsmouth city, VA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12.3%) and those who worked at home (8.71%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Portsmouth city, VA have a shorter commute time (23.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.36% of the workforce in Portsmouth city, VA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Portsmouth city, VA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Portsmouth city, VA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Portsmouth city, VA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 21% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Portsmouth city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.383%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

17.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Portsmouth city, VA (16.4k out of 94.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females < 5.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Portsmouth city, VA is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 25% of the children was living in poverty in Portsmouth city, VA. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 707 in Portsmouth city, VA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 63.9% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.