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CITY

Portsmouth

Ohio · 17,282 residents (2025 est.) · 10.729 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#157Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-9.8%
The short version

Portsmouth has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,713. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 3,181 residents. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $103,300. The poverty rate of 35.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 51% less than the Ohio median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,728
−15%since 2000
from 20,909 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,652 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 1,949 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
+2%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:17,282 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
17K19K20K22K23K1990201020202024Portsmouth
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,713
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,004 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,847
+78%since 2000
from $15,078 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
25.0%
+12.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
35.4%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 23.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.564
+12%since 2010
from 0.506 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,300
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$747
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $367 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.1%
−5.1 ptssince 2000
from 53.2% in 2000
51.9% rent
Vacancy rate
13.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
19.2%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.2%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+31%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
41
RELATED:See current rent listings in Portsmouth on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91%(19,027)
Black4.9%(1,034)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(195)
Asian0.6%(127)
Other0%
Diversity Score15.7%(3,291)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.5%(14,983)
Black3.5%(628)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(657)
Asian1.3%(232)
Other6.9%(1,228)
Diversity Score34.8%(6,163)
Diversity Score
35
+121%since 2000
from 16 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.4%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.6%
+10.5 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+45%since 2000
from 14.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.6%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 81.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.9%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.8%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.1%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
15.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.2%
−5.5 ptssince 2011
from 13.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.7%
−3.4 ptssince 2011
from 49.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.0%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.6%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 68.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
Female
52.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.8% in 2009
Foreign born
2.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.8%
−36.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
25.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2012
from 25.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.5%
−74.9 ptssince 2013
from 82.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.1%
+20.0 ptssince 2017
from 65.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.4%
−1.3 ptssince 2016
from 97.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Portsmouth, Ohio?

Portsmouth, Ohio has about 17,728 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Portsmouth, Ohio?

The typical household in Portsmouth, Ohio earns about $34,713 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Portsmouth, Ohio expensive?

In Portsmouth, Ohio, the median home is worth about $103,300, and the typical rent is about $747 a month.

How educated are people in Portsmouth, Ohio?

About 17.4% of adults age 25 and over in Portsmouth, Ohio hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Portsmouth, Ohio?

About 35.4% of people in Portsmouth, Ohio live below the federal poverty line.

Has Portsmouth, Ohio grown since 1990?

Yes, Portsmouth, Ohio has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 5,016 residents, a change of about -22 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 →