Overview

Introduction to Portsmouth, Ohio

Portsmouth, Ohio, in Scioto county, is 36 miles NW of Huntington, West Virginia (center to center) and 84 miles E of Cincinnati, Ohio

Portsmouth History

In the 1790s, the settlement of Alexandria was established west of the present-day territory of Portsmouth. However, because the region was prone to flooding by the Scioto and Ohio Rivera, in the early 1800s, Henry Massie relocated away from the flood plains and began plotting a new community. Portsmouth was established in 1803, and was incorporated as a city in 1815. The construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal, Underground Railroad, N&W railyards, and the B&O junction greatly impacted the development and growth of the city. In 1937, a floodwall was built around Portsmouth by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Portsmouth and Nearby Attractions

  • Southern Ohio Museum & Cultural Center
  • Clark Planetarium
  • Philip Moore Jr. Stone House
  • Indian Burial Mounds
  • Shawnee State Park & Forest
  • Branch Rickey Park

Things To Do In Portsmouth

Southern Ohio Museum & Cultural Center has Carl Ackerman's collection of historic photographs as well as the works of local artist Clarence Carter on display. Boneyfiddle Historic District, Portsmouth's oldest neighborhood, has buildings from the 1830s, antique stores, galleries and shops. The Indian Burial Mounds, 1810 House and Philip Moore Jr. Stone House are among other places of historic interest in the city. Shawnee State Park & Forest includes two lakes, an 18-hole golf course and facilities for hiking, camping and canoeing. The Portsmouth Murals, another popular attraction, is an outdoor art gallery featuring more than 40 paintings created by mural artist Robert Dafford. These paintings depict Portsmouth's history, settlement and growth of industry. Carter Caves State Resort Park has a 40-acre lake, 20 miles of wooded nature trails, a 9-hole golf course, cottages, stables and tennis courts.

Portsmouth Transportation

Tri-State/Milton J. Ferguson Field is the closest major airport.

Portsmouth Higher Education

Portsmouth is home to Shawnee State University. Ashland Community College, Kentucky Christian College and Marshall University are close by.

Demographics

People

Total Population20,366
Male Share of the Population47.5%
Female Share of the Population52.5%
Senior Citizens16%
Employed Population 16+7,158
Age of the Population36

Families

% of people married35.7%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher14.1%
Median Earnings25+$28,739
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$11,826
Median Earnings With High School Degree$26,101

Wealth

Median Family Income$41,770
% Above Poverty Level65.5%
% Below Poverty Level34.5%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time16 minutes
% Working from Home2.7%
% Walking and Biking to Work6.5%
% Using Public Transportation0.6%

Housing

People Living Alone38.6%
Median Gross Rent$581
Median House Value$75,800

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)21.2%
German17%
Irish12.8%
English6.7%
Scottish2.5%
Italian2.4%
Welsh1.9%
French Except Basque1.4%
Dutch1.1%
Swedish0.5%
Swiss0.5%
Polish0.4%
Hungarian0.4%
West Indian0.3%
US Virgin Isl0.3%
African0.3%
Slovak0.2%
Norwegian0.2%
Ukrainian0.1%
Arab0.1%
Czech0.1%
Canadian0.1%
Lebanese0.1%
Ghanaian0.1%
Russian0.1%
Austrian0.1%
Greek0.1%
Croatian0.1%
Syrian0.1%
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Portsmouth Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyScioto County
Standard Zip Codes45662, 45663
Phone Area Codes740
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude38.75
Approximate Longitude-82.95

Portsmouth Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationPORTSMOUTH SCIOTOVILLE
Distance6.3 miles
Jan Temp20 to 40 F
Apr Temp41 to 66 F
Jul Temp64 to 86 F
Oct Temp42 to 68 F
Annual Precip41.4 inches
StationWAVERLY
Distance26.6 miles
Jan Temp18 to 38 F
Apr Temp38 to 65 F
Jul Temp63 to 86 F
Oct Temp39 to 67 F
Annual Precip39.8 inches
StationPEEBLES
Distance27.2 miles
Jan Temp23 to 40 F
Apr Temp42 to 65 F
Jul Temp64 to 85 F
Oct Temp44 to 67 F
Annual Precip43.1 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Beaver471$38,333
Hanging Rock206$52,813
Ironton10,912$54,547
New Boston2,375$30,483
Rarden192$43,750
South Webster680$53,000

Portsmouth Public Libraries

Portsmouth Public Library
1220 GALLIA ST.
Portsmouth, Ohio
(740) 354-5688

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More Information for Librarians

Portsmouth Hospitals

Kings Daughters Medical Center Ohio
1901 Argonne Road
(740) 991-4000
Southern Ohio Medical Center
(Non-profit)
1805 27th Street
(740) 354-5000

Portsmouth Public Schools

Clay Elementary School
44 Clay High St
ZIP: 45662
(740) 354-6644
Primary
Total Enrollment 349
Clay High School
44 Clay High St
ZIP: 45662
(740) 354-6644
High
Total Enrollment 140
Clay Middle School
44 Clay High St
ZIP: 45662
(740) 354-6644
Middle
Total Enrollment 148
Portsmouth Elementary
514 Union St
ZIP: 45662
(740) 353-6719
Primary
Total Enrollment 1010
Portsmouth Junior High School/portsmouth High School
1225 Gallia St
ZIP: 45662
(740) 353-2398
High
Total Enrollment 665
Sciotoville
224 Marshall St
ZIP: 45662
(740) 776-6777
Other
Total Enrollment 316

Portsmouth Private Schools

Notre Dame Elementary
1401 Gallia St
ZIP: 45662
Elementary
Total Enrollment 212
Notre Dame High School
2220 Sunrise Ave
ZIP: 45662
Secondary
Total Enrollment 157
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