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CITY

Portsmouth

New Hampshire · 23,028 residents (2025 est.) · 15.661 sq mi
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The short version

Portsmouth is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $106,219. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $688,500. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
64% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 130%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
22,545
+8%since 2000
from 20,784 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,440 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,327 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.9
+11%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:23,028 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
20K22K23K25K26K1990201020202024Portsmouth
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,219
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,195 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$72,411
+163%since 2000
from $27,540 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
64.5%
+24.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.482
+14%since 2010
from 0.422 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services9.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade3.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$688,500
+130%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $164,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,869
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $727 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
51.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 50.0% in 2000
48.1% rent
Vacancy rate
4.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
28.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 33.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.5
+78%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
81
RELATED:See current rent listings in Portsmouth on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(19,263)
Black2%(416)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(280)
Asian2.4%(507)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.1%(2,933)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.2%(19,431)
Black0.2%(51)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(864)
Asian4.1%(919)
Other5.7%(1,280)
Diversity Score31.4%(7,068)
Diversity Score
31
+122%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
64.0%
+22.1 ptssince 2000
from 41.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2000
from 91.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
23.4%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.2 min
+42%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.6%
−15.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
21.9%
+17.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.1%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−2.1 ptssince 2011
from 4.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.0%
−7.9 ptssince 2011
from 74.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
60.5%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
50.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
9.6%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.5%
−41.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2012
from 11.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.7%
−85.2 ptssince 2013
from 89.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+7.5 ptssince 2017
from 87.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 90.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.3%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 2.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Portsmouth to nearby cities

PORTSMOUTH VS
Hampton
Income$97,163−9%
Home value$545,300−21%
Population10,101−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTSMOUTH VS
Durham
Income$112,070+6%
Home value$498,000−28%
Population10,681−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTSMOUTH VS
Dover
Income$94,829−11%
Home value$436,700−37%
Population34,623+50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTSMOUTH VS
Exeter
Income$87,346−18%
Home value$357,500−48%
Population9,964−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

Portsmouth, New Hampshire has about 22,545 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

The typical household in Portsmouth, New Hampshire earns about $106,219 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Portsmouth, New Hampshire expensive?

In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the median home is worth about $688,500, and the typical rent is about $1,869 a month.

How educated are people in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

About 64.0% of adults age 25 and over in Portsmouth, New Hampshire hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

About 6.8% of people in Portsmouth, New Hampshire live below the federal poverty line.

Has Portsmouth, New Hampshire grown since 1990?

Yes, Portsmouth, New Hampshire has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,380 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →