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CITY · 2010 ACS

Portsmouth

New Hampshire · 20,779 residents · 15.661 sq mi
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The short version

Portsmouth is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $62,191. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $317,800.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.3
US median: 37.2
More educated
49% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,779
Unchangedsince 2000
from 20,784 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,327 / sq mi
Unchangedsince 2000
from 1,327 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.3
+5%since 2000
from 38.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K22K23K25K26K1990201020202024Portsmouth
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,191
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,195 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,823
+34%since 2000
from $27,540 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
40.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
8.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.422
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade10%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services8.6%
US avg: 7%
Public administration7%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade5.3%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Arts, entertainment, food2.9%
US avg: 2.4%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$317,800
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $164,500 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,062
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $727 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
35.7%
−14.3 ptssince 2000
from 50.0% in 2000
48.7% rent
Vacancy rate
6.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
36.4%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 33.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
5.1
+40%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic89.8%(18,658)
Black1.6%(326)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(573)
Asian3.5%(718)
Other0.7%(150)
Diversity Score20.4%(4,238)
Diversity Score
20
+45%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.7%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 41.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
96.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 91.4% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
17.7%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.1 min
+28%since 2000
from 15.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
82.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
3.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
5.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
1.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
5.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
43.8%
−25.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
5.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.2%
−38.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Portsmouth

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Head to head

Compare Portsmouth to nearby cities

PORTSMOUTH VS
Hampton
Income$97,163+56%
Home value$545,300+72%
Population10,101−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTSMOUTH VS
Durham
Income$112,070+80%
Home value$498,000+57%
Population10,681−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTSMOUTH VS
Dover
Income$94,829+52%
Home value$436,700+37%
Population34,623+50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PORTSMOUTH VS
Exeter
Income$87,346+40%
Home value$357,500+12%
Population9,964−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

Portsmouth, New Hampshire has about 20,779 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Portsmouth, New Hampshire earns about $62,191 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 $317,800, and the typical rent is about $1,062 a month.

How educated are people in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

About 48.7% 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 8.7% 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 5,146 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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

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