Portsmouth, VA Demographics

A map of Portsmouth's Population by Race

Portsmouth, Virginia has an estimated population of 97,190, a less than 1% change from the 97,915 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 50.2% Black, 35.4% White, 6.5% Multiracial, 5.4% Hispanic, 1.6% Asian, and 0.9% Native American/Other. 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 slightly more diverse than Virginia 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 59.1% in 2020 and 61.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Portsmouth is ranked the 11th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 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 10th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Portsmouth's White Population

34,405 residents of Portsmouth, or 35.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Portsmouth is significantly lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Portsmouth ranks 600th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's White population has declined by an estimated 1.5%. White residents' share of Portsmouth's population has remained roughly unchanged at 35.4%.

Portsmouth is more White than neighboring Hampton (35.2% White), and Benns Church (33.4% White). Portsmouth is less White than neighboring Norfolk (41.2% White), Carrollton (61.7% White), and Chesapeake (53.8% White).

Portsmouth's Black Population

48,784 residents of Portsmouth, or 50.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Portsmouth is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Portsmouth ranks 29th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Black population has declined by an estimated 5.4%. Black residents' share of Portsmouth's population has decreased from 52.7% to 50.2%.

Portsmouth is more Black than neighboring Norfolk (38.9% Black), Carrollton (18.9% Black), Chesapeake (28.5% Black), and Hampton (48.1% Black). Portsmouth is less Black than neighboring Benns Church (55.3% Black).

Portsmouth's Asian Population

1,552 residents of Portsmouth, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Portsmouth is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Portsmouth ranks 272nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Asian population has grown by an estimated 24.8%. Asian residents' share of Portsmouth's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Portsmouth is more Asian than neighboring Benns Church (0.2% Asian). Portsmouth is less Asian than neighboring Norfolk (3.6% Asian), Carrollton (3.3% Asian), Chesapeake (3.8% Asian), and Hampton (2.2% Asian).

Portsmouth's Hispanic Population

5,225 residents of Portsmouth, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Portsmouth is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Portsmouth ranks 347th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 18.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Portsmouth's population has increased from 4.5% to 5.4%.

Portsmouth is more Hispanic than neighboring Benns Church (2.3% Hispanic). Portsmouth is less Hispanic than neighboring Norfolk (10.1% Hispanic), Carrollton (12% Hispanic), Chesapeake (7.7% Hispanic), and Hampton (6.9% Hispanic).

Portsmouth's Native American/Other Population

900 residents of Portsmouth, or 0.9% 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 Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Portsmouth ranks 141st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 8.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Portsmouth's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Portsmouth is more Native American/Other than neighboring Carrollton (0.1% Native American/Other), and Benns Church (0.1% Native American/Other). Portsmouth is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hampton (1.2% Native American/Other).

Portsmouth's Multiracial Population

6,324 residents of Portsmouth, or 6.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Portsmouth is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Portsmouth ranks 234th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portsmouth's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 32.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Portsmouth's population has increased from 4.9% to 6.5%.

Portsmouth is more Multiracial than neighboring Norfolk (5.3% Multiracial), Carrollton (4% Multiracial), Chesapeake (5.4% Multiracial), and Hampton (6.3% Multiracial). Portsmouth is less Multiracial than neighboring Benns Church (8.8% 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.