Portsmouth city: Demographics & People
Census counts 97,190 people in Portsmouth city, in 40,288 households. Median age 35.9 years. (1.9y younger than Virginia). Population is 51% Black and 5% Hispanic or Latino. County is losing 1,366 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 48% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 63 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Current population 97,190; figures track the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimates.
| Population | 97,190 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
|---|---|
| Total Town Population | 97,915 people |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Age Distribution
Median age 35.9y is 3.0 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y).
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 97,190 |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 22,392 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 24,894.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 34,867.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 15,037 |
| Age Summary · Pct Under 18 | 23.0% |
| Age Summary · Pct 18 To 34 | 25.6% |
| Age Summary · Pct 35 To 64 | 35.9% |
| Median age | 35.9 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 97,190 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups).
| Census Demographics · Total Population | 97,190 people |
|---|---|
| White residents | 35,186 |
| Black residents | 49,167 |
| Asian residents | 1,673 |
| Census Demographics · Aian | 299 |
| Census Demographics · Nhpi | 46 |
| Census Demographics · Other Race | 2,088 |
| Census Demographics · Two Or More Races | 8,731 |
| Diversity Index | 60.4% |
| Asian population | 1.7% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 50.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.4% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 15.9% are foreign-born — above the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Census Citizenship · Total | 97,190 |
|---|---|
| Census Citizenship · Native | 94,022 |
| Residents born in this state | 61,191 |
| Residents born in another state | 31,344 |
| Census Citizenship · Foreign Born | 15,446 |
| Census Citizenship · Naturalized | 3,802 |
| Census Citizenship · Non Citizen | 1,487 |
| Foreign-born residents | 15.9% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Households & Family Composition
40,288 households.
| Family households | 24,164 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
|---|---|
| Total households | 40,288 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. The surrounding county is losing 1,366 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 87,246 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 88,612 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -1,366 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2022-2023
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Census Disability · Total Pop | 91,870 |
|---|---|
| With Disability | 15,650 |
| Pct With Disability | 17.0% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 0 residents live in group quarters.
| Census Group Quarters · Total | 2,725 |
|---|
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Other
| Census Mobility · Total | 96,413 |
|---|---|
| Census Mobility · Same House | 83,231 |
| Census Mobility · Same County | 3,682 |
| Census Mobility · Diff County Same State | 6,101 |
| Census Mobility · Diff State | 3,182 |
| Census Mobility · From Abroad | 217 |
| Census Mobility · Moved Total | 13,182 |
| Census Mobility · Pct Moved In Year | 13.7% |
| Pct White | 36.2% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29