Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Portsmouth, VA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

97,299

Median Agei

35.8

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

51.2%49,782

White

35.9%34,957

Two or More

5.7%5,561

Hispanic/Latino

5.1%4,942

Asian

1.4%1,404

Other

0.5%487

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1%140

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%26

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.1%4,038

High School Diploma

25.6%16,856

Some College (<1 yr)

7.6%4,981

Some College (1+ yr)

17.3%11,386

Associate's Degree

9.5%6,225

Bachelor's Degree

14.9%9,798

Master's Degree

6.5%4,287

Professional Degree

1.1%721

Doctorate

0.7%475

HS or Higher

89.2%

BA or Higher

23.2%

Graduate+

8.3%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$229,400

Median Renti

$1,266

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

56.9%22,557

Renter-Occupied

43.1%17,121

Total Units

43,233

Homeownership

56.9%

Vacancy Rate

8.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.7%618

$50K–$100K

3.1%697

$100K–$150K

12.3%2,767

$150K–$200K

19.9%4,491

$200K–$300K

38.4%8,653

$300K–$500K

20.6%4,657

$500K–$1M

2.3%508

$1M+

0.7%166

Rent Distribution

Under $500

1,354

$500–$750

1,097

$750–$1,000

1,691

$1,000–$1,250

3,932

$1,250–$1,500

4,085

$1,500–$2,000

3,341

$2,000+

1,157

Year Built

2020 or later

0.3%134

2010–2019

5.3%2,274

2000–2009

6.4%2,768

1990–1999

7.6%3,265

1980–1989

9.6%4,162

1970–1979

14.6%6,322

1960–1969

14.7%6,348

1950–1959

16.8%7,247

1940–1949

12.8%5,516

1939 or earlier

12%5,197

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

48.4%19,205

Electricity

47.2%18,729

Bottled/LP Gas

1.7%661

Fuel Oil

1.2%464

No Fuel

1%388

Other

0.4%139

Wood

0.2%62

Solar

0.1%30

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$58,972

Mean Household Incomei

$77,280

Per Capita Incomei

$32,915

Poverty Ratei

17.1%

Unemploymenti

6.1%

Labor Forcei

48,347

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

7.9%3,117

$10K–$15K

4.9%1,935

$15K–$20K

3.4%1,341

$20K–$25K

5%1,967

$25K–$30K

4.8%1,893

$30K–$35K

4.3%1,703

$35K–$40K

4.1%1,608

$40K–$45K

4.6%1,808

$45K–$50K

4.3%1,707

$50K–$60K

7.8%3,098

$60K–$75K

11.5%4,576

$75K–$100K

11%4,382

$100K–$125K

10.1%4,023

$125K–$150K

5.4%2,123

$150K–$200K

6.7%2,645

$200K+

4.4%1,752

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

3,850

Residentsi

5,955

Avg. Tenant Renti

$485/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

65 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing354 homes99% occupied$562/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers1,790 homes72% occupied$537/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8750 homes88% occupied$328/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC19 homes82% occupied$273/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $58,972/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $18K/yr

72.9%

Very low income$18K–$29K/yr

19.7%

Low income$29K–$47K/yr

Moderate / aboveOver $47K/yr

0.4%

Who Receives This Housing

85.6% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

94% of subsidized households are minority

23.1% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

33.3% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2,9153%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

620

Philippines

346

China

178

Germany

101

Korea

United Kingdom

Canada

Guatemala

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

44,729

Avg. Commutei

23 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

41,523

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

8,612(12.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

93.4%Insured

6.6%Uninsured

Portsmouth, VA Population, Income & Demographics 2026