Portsmouth, NH Demographics

A map of Portsmouth's Population by Race

Portsmouth, New Hampshire has an estimated population of 22,545, a slight increase from the 21,956 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.2% White, 4.1% Asian, 3.9% Multiracial, 3.8% Hispanic, 1.8% Native American/Other, and 0.2% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Portsmouth, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Portsmouth has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than New Hampshire overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Portsmouth, that probability was 24.0% in 2020 and 25.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Portsmouth is ranked the 7th most populous place in New Hampshire, out of 100 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Portsmouth was ranked the 8th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Portsmouth's White Population

19,431 residents of Portsmouth, or 86.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in New Hampshire overall, where 86.9% of the population is White. Portsmouth ranks 83rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's White population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Portsmouth's population has decreased from 86.9% to 86.2%.

Portsmouth is more White than neighboring Kittery (85.4% White). Portsmouth is less White than neighboring South Eliot (87.3% White), Kittery Point (92.9% White), Hampton (94.4% White), and Hampton Beach (94.6% White).

Portsmouth's Black Population

51 residents of Portsmouth, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in New Hampshire overall, where 1.3% of the population is Black. Portsmouth ranks 28th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Black population has declined by an estimated 77.3%. Black residents' share of Portsmouth's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.2%.

Portsmouth is more Black than neighboring Kittery Point (0% Black), Hampton (0% Black), and Hampton Beach (0% Black). Portsmouth is less Black than neighboring Kittery (1.8% Black), and South Eliot (1.1% Black).

Portsmouth's Asian Population

919 residents of Portsmouth, or 4.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in New Hampshire overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Portsmouth ranks 9th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Asian population has declined by an estimated 8.2%. Asian residents' share of Portsmouth's population has decreased from 4.6% to 4.1%.

Portsmouth is more Asian than neighboring Kittery (2.8% Asian), South Eliot (0% Asian), Kittery Point (0% Asian), Hampton (1.4% Asian), and Hampton Beach (0% Asian).

Portsmouth's Hispanic Population

864 residents of Portsmouth, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in New Hampshire overall, where 4.7% of the population is Hispanic. Portsmouth ranks 25th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 15.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Portsmouth's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Portsmouth is more Hispanic than neighboring Hampton (2% Hispanic), and Hampton Beach (2.6% Hispanic). Portsmouth is less Hispanic than neighboring Kittery (6.4% Hispanic), South Eliot (6.1% Hispanic), and Kittery Point (6.5% Hispanic).

Portsmouth's Native American/Other Population

395 residents of Portsmouth, or 1.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in New Hampshire overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Portsmouth ranks 49th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 226.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Portsmouth's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.8%.

Portsmouth is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kittery (0% Native American/Other), Kittery Point (0.5% Native American/Other), Hampton (0.6% Native American/Other), and Hampton Beach (0% Native American/Other). Portsmouth is less Native American/Other than neighboring South Eliot (2.9% Native American/Other).

Portsmouth's Multiracial Population

885 residents of Portsmouth, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in New Hampshire overall, where 4% of the population is Multiracial. Portsmouth ranks 71st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 14.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Portsmouth's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Portsmouth is more Multiracial than neighboring Kittery (3.6% Multiracial), South Eliot (2.6% Multiracial), Kittery Point (0% Multiracial), Hampton (1.6% Multiracial), and Hampton Beach (2.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.