United States › New Hampshire › Portsmouth CITY · 2000 CENSUS
Portsmouth New Hampshire · 20,784 residents · 15.7 sq mi
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The short version
Portsmouth is a city of 20,784 people in New Hampshire. This is an unusually credentialed place: 42% of adults have a four-year degree. Owners hold 50% of the housing stock. The median age is 38.5, about 3 years above the US median. The typical home is worth $164,500. The population has fallen 20% since 1990.
At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.5
US median: 35.2
More educated
42% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 9%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01
Population & growth from 31.1 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K 22K 23K 25K 26K 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 Portsmouth Age distribution, 2000
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02
Income & economy $45,195
+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $30,591 in 1990
US average: $42,589
from $15,557 in 1990
US average: $21,522
from 6.7% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
$164,500
−9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $137,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
$727
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990
from $553 in 1990
US average: $602
from 41.9% in 1990
50.0% rent
Section 04
Race & ethnicity 1990
White, non-Hispanic 92.4%(23,945)
Hispanic / Latino 2.3%(585)
2000
White, non-Hispanic 92.7%(19,263)
Hispanic / Latino 1.3%(280)
No data for the years selected.
Section 04 · Origins
Detailed origins & ancestry Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.
Ancestry
+ 33 more ancestry groups with data from 26.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
from 88.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
from 8.0% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06
Commute & transportation from 17.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07
Work & employment No data for the years selected.
Section 08
People & community No data for the years selected.
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married 35.4%(3,026)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2000
Section 09
Health coverage Showing 2024 (the nearest year with coverage data).
from 10.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
from 68.8% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
from 15.0% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
from 20.4% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
from 9.4% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
from 2.0% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
from 83.1% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
from 27.8% in 2020
US average: 36.7%
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later) 11.1%(139)
Gulf War (1990s) 9.8%(122)
Share of the 1,247 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Drill deeper
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Frequently asked
How many people live in Portsmouth, New Hampshire? Portsmouth, New Hampshire has about 20,784 residents according to the 2000 Census.
What is the median household income in Portsmouth, New Hampshire? The typical household in Portsmouth, New Hampshire earns about $45,195 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 $164,500, and the typical rent is about $727 a month.
How educated are people in Portsmouth, New Hampshire? About 41.9% 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 9.3% 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 5,141 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.
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