Portsmouth, OH

Ohio

Portsmouth is a small city in Ohio with a population of 17,919. Residents earn $35,319 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
17,919 Population 1,670/sq mi density
$35,319 Median Income $23,758 per capita
$95,000 Home Value $86,395 Zillow
$758 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$35,319 median income, 4.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,000 home value, $758/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,319
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,000
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.0%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $758
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 48.7%
52% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 32.2%
160% higher than US avg

How Portsmouth Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population17,919
Median Age37.1 yrs
Density1,670/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

C
Median Income$35,319
Per Capita$23,758
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty32.2%
County GDP$3,482M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,000
Rent$758
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$86,395

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity48.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.5%
Heart Disease8.7%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain43.1 in/yr
Elevation963 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.0%
High School+85.7%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute20 min
EV Stations3
Libraries6

Is Portsmouth a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Portsmouth receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Portsmouth offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Portsmouth is $35,319, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 32.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Portsmouth is $95,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $758 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Portsmouth experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Portsmouth has a population of 17,919 with a density of 1,670 people per square mile. The median age is 37.1 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.1%), with 2.8% Hispanic, 4.5% Black.

Population

17,919
Total Population
1,670
People / sq mi
37.1yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
10.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Portsmouth vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Portsmouth vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Portsmouth is $35,319, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 32.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Portsmouth vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,319
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,758
Avg Weekly Wage$950
IRS Avg AGI$58,865

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate32.2%
160% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,502
County GDP$3,482M

Business (County)

Restaurants139
Healthcare220
Retail239
Manufacturing48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,930
12% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.8 min
Work from Home5.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Portsmouth is $95,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $758 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $86,395.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,000
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$86,395
Median List Price$119,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$119,500
$/Sq Ft$117
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.5%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$758
35% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied46.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,930
12% above US avg
Effective Rate4.14%
In Portsmouth, 48.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.5% report depression. 40.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Portsmouth vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity48.7%
52% above US avg
Diabetes15.7%
Heart Disease8.7%
High Blood Pressure42.9%
Asthma12.7%
COPD12.9%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.9%
Physical Inactivity40.4%
Depression32.5%
Mental Distress24.7%
Physical Distress19.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.7%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death16,720/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access80.3%
Healthcare Facilities220

Crime Rates: Portsmouth vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Portsmouth has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average54.9°F
2% above US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.1 inches
13% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation963 ft (294 m)
Area10.7 sq mi (27.8 km²)
Population Density1,670/sq mi
Coordinates38.7534°N, 82.9495°W
County FIPS39145
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 18.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.7%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 48 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.0%
47% below US avg
High School+85.7%
School Test Score5.90
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,670/sq mi
Total Area10.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities220
Restaurants139
Retail Stores239

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.8 min
Work from Home5.4%

Nearby Cities

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