Portsmouth, VA Demographics

A map of Portsmouth's Population by Race

Portsmouth, Virginia had a population of 97,915 in 2020. It was 35.7% White, 52.7% Black, 1.3% Asian, 4.5% Hispanic, 1.0% Native American/Other, and 4.9% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Portsmouth, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is the 10th most populous. 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's White Population

34,912 residents of Portsmouth identify as White, or 35.7%. This makes the White share of the population of Portsmouth considerably less than the White share of the population of Virginia (58.6% White). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is ranked #600 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Portsmouth is less White than neighboring Norfolk (40.8% White), Carrollton (64.8% White), Chesapeake (54.4% White), Hampton (36% White), and Benns Church (43.4% White).

Portsmouth's Black Population

51,586 residents of Portsmouth identify as Black, or 52.7%. This makes the Black share of the population of Portsmouth considerably larger than the Black share of the population of Virginia (18.3% Black). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is ranked #28 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Portsmouth is more Black than neighboring Norfolk (39.3% Black), Carrollton (21.9% Black), Chesapeake (28.4% Black), Hampton (48.6% Black), and Benns Church (38.8% Black).

Portsmouth's Asian Population

1,244 residents of Portsmouth identify as Asian, or 1.3%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Portsmouth slightly less than the Asian share of the population of Virginia (7.1% Asian). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is ranked #259 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Portsmouth is less Asian than neighboring Norfolk (3.7% Asian), Carrollton (1.8% Asian), Chesapeake (3.6% Asian), Hampton (2.5% Asian), and Benns Church (1.6% Asian).

Portsmouth's Hispanic Population

4,413 residents of Portsmouth identify as Hispanic, or 4.5%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Portsmouth slightly less than the Hispanic share of the population of Virginia (10.5% Hispanic). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is ranked #344 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Portsmouth is less Hispanic than neighboring Norfolk (9.7% Hispanic), Carrollton (5.1% Hispanic), Chesapeake (7.1% Hispanic), Hampton (6.1% Hispanic), and Benns Church (7.2% Hispanic).

Portsmouth's Native American/Other Population

979 residents of Portsmouth identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 1.0%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Portsmouth roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Virginia (0.8% Native American/Other). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is ranked #127 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Portsmouth is more Native American/Other than neighboring Chesapeake (0.9% Native American/Other). Portsmouth is less Native American/Other than neighboring Norfolk (1.1% Native American/Other), Hampton (1.2% Native American/Other), and Benns Church (1.5% Native American/Other).

Portsmouth's Multiracial Population

4,781 residents of Portsmouth identify as Multiracial, or 4.9%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Portsmouth roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Virginia (4.7% Multiracial). Of the 672 places in Virginia, Portsmouth is ranked #220 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Portsmouth is less Multiracial than neighboring Norfolk (5.3% Multiracial), Carrollton (5.4% Multiracial), Chesapeake (5.6% Multiracial), Hampton (5.6% Multiracial), and Benns Church (7.5% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.