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Portsmouth, OH

Frequently asked questions

Portsmouth, OH

Portsmouth is a city in and the county seat of Scioto County, Ohio, United States. Located in southern Ohio 41 miles (66 km) south of Chillicothe, it lies on the north bank of the Ohio River, across from Kentucky and just east of the mouth of the Scioto River. The population was 18,252 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Portsmouth micropolitan area.

Portsmouth is at the confluence of the Ohio, Scioto, and Little Scioto rivers. It is a midway point among four major cities: Charleston, West Virginia; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; and Lexington, Kentucky, each of which is about 90 miles away (roughly a two-hour drive).

Much of the terrain is quite hilly due to the dissected plateau around it. Both rivers have carved valleys and Portsmouth lies next to both the Scioto and Ohio rivers. It is within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 11.07 square miles (28.67 km²), of which 10.73 square miles (27.79 km²) is land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km²) is water.

Sciotoville, 5 miles (8.0 km) in the eastern part of Portsmouth off US 52 at Ohio 335; it is sometimes known as East Portsmouth, but it is within the city limits, with about 10% of the city's population living there. North Moreland, is a community within Portsmouth, north of the Village of New Boston. North Moreland connects the larger western section of Portsmouth with Sciotoville.

Boneyfiddle, several blocks west of downtown Portsmouth, generally centered around the Market St./2nd St. intersection. Hilltop, residential neighborhoods in Portsmouth north of 17th St., west of Thomas Ave, and east of Scioto Trail. North End, is a mixed black community within Portsmouth, north of The Ohio River. Farley Square Apartments is the heart of the North End, along with Bannon Park.

The area was occupied by Native Americans as early as 100 BC, as indicated by the Portsmouth Earthworks, a ceremonial center built by the Ohio Hopewell culture between 100 and 500 AD. According to early 20th-century historian Charles Augustus Hanna, a Shawnee village was founded at the site of modern-day Portsmouth in late 1758, following the abandonment of Lower Shawneetown. European-Americans began to settle in the 1790s after the American Revolutionary War, and the small town of Alexandria was founded. Located at the confluence, Alexandria was flooded numerous times by the Ohio and the Scioto rivers.

The Ohio state legislature passed "Black Laws" in 1804 that restricted the movement of free blacks and required persons to carry papers, to dissuade blacks from settling in the state. These provisions were intermittently enforced by local governments and law enforcement and sometimes used as an excuse to force African Americans out of settlements. In 1831, Portsmouth drove out African Americans from the city under this pretext. Many settled several miles north in what became known as Huston's Hollow, along the Scioto River. Its residents, especially Joseph Love and Dan Lucas, provided aid to refugee slaves in the following years and assisted them in moving north.

Health and wellness are paramount in Portsmouth, with the Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) serving as a cornerstone of healthcare in the region. SOMC offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including emergency care, specialized surgeries, and outpatient programs. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Bar Benders Fitness, PSKC CrossFit, and Iron Body Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Portsmouth, such as York Park and Riverfront Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Portsmouth, OH are Alexandria Point Park & Alexandria Stone, Southern Ohio Museum, and Candyland Children's Museum.

Population: 17,489 (2024). ZIP code: 45662. Area code: 740. Elevation: 846 ft (258 m). Area: 11.08 sq mi (28.69 km²).

FAQs

What is special about Portsmouth, OH?

Portsmouth is a town with a rich past and a promising future. Cultural and recreational opportunities abound. From the nationally known murals painted on the floodwall to Shawnee State Forest, there are many tourist attractions within the county. 

What is the poverty rate in Portsmouth, OH?

In 2022, the median household income of Portsmouth households was $36,051. Portsmouth households made slightly more than Alger households ($35,398) and Neffs households ($35,000). However, 29.9% of Portsmouth families live in poverty.

What is the race population in Portsmouth, OH?

Portsmouth, OH is home to a population of 73.7k people, of which 99.5% are citizens. As of 2022, 0.996% of Portsmouth, OH residents were born outside of the country (734 people). In 2022, there were 33.9 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (68.1k people) in Portsmouth, OH than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.01k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.81k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Portsmouth

Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) 

Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Department 

Bar Benders Fitness

PSKC CrossFit 

Iron Body Fitness

York Park 

Riverfront Park

Alexandria Point Park & Alexandria Stone

Southern Ohio Museum

Candyland Children's Museum

Ohio Demographics

Data USA

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