Origin: First settled in 1630 as Piscataqua, the settlement was soon named Strawberry Banke. The name Portsmouth was adopted in 1653 to honor the colony s founder, John Mason, Captain of the Port in Portsmouth, England. Portsmouth became the New Hampshire province s capitol in 1679. It was home to many famous colonials, such as William Whipple, signer of the Declaration of Independence; Governor John Langdon, first US Senate president; and John Paul Jones, naval hero. Portsmouth was incorporated as a city in 1849. The original Strawberry Banke settlement has been preserved as an example of a colonial American town.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 4,720 residents in 1790
Population Trends: Like many cities, Portsmouth's population growth rate was very low over the last five decades. Population increased by a total of 1,954 residents, going from 18,830 in 1950 to 20,784 in 2000. Population in Portsmouth declined over three decades; decennial growth ranged from a 20 percent decrease between 1990-2000 to a 43 percent increase between 1950-1960. The 2003 Census estimate for Portsmouth was 21,002 residents, which ranked 12th among New Hampshire's incorporated cities and towns.
Population Density, 2003: 1,333.4 persons per square mile of land area, the third highest density. Portsmouth contains 15.7 square miles of land area and 1.1 square miles of inland water area.
Villages and Place Names: Atlantic Heights, Bersum Gardens, Christian Shore, Creek Area, Elwyn Park, Meadowbrook, Pannaway Manor, Portsmouth Plains, Wentworth Acres, Haymarket Square, Boynton Park, Sagamore Hill, Strawberry Banke, Brimstone Hill
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Type of Government
City Manager & Council
2004 Annual Budget
$68,672,202
Zoning Ordinance
1927/02
Master Plan
2004
Capitol Improvement Plan
Yes
Industrial Plans Reviewed By
Planning Dept.
Boards and Commissions
Elected:
City Council; School Board; Police Commission
Appointed:
Planning Board; Conservation Commission; Library Trustees; Economic Development Commission; Historic District Commission; Board of Appeals
Public Library
Portsmouth Athenaeum; Portsmouth Public
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police Department
Full-time
Fire Department
Full-time
Town Fire Insurance Rating
4
Emergency Medical Service
Municipal & commercial
Nearest Hospital(s):
Portsmouth Regional, Portsmouth
Distance: Local
Staffed Beds:165
UTILITIES
Electric Supplier
PSNH
Natural Gas Supplier
Northern Utilities
Water Supplier
Portsmouth Water Department
Sanitation
Municipal
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Yes
Solid Waste Disposal
Curbside Trash Pickup
Municipal
Pay-As-You-Throw Program
No
Mandatory Recycling Program
Mandatory
Telephone Company
Verizon
Cellular Telephone Access
Yes
Cable Television Access
Yes
High Speed Cable Internet Service:
Business
Yes
Residential
Yes
PROPERTY TAXES
2003 Total Tax Rate (per $1000)
$17.74
2003 Equalization Ratio
92.9
2003 Full Value Tax Rate (per $1000)
$16.09
2003 Percent of Property Valuation by Type
Residential Land and Buildings
57.9%
Commercial Land and Buildings
38.1%
Other Property including Utilities
4.1%
HOUSING
2002 Total Housing Units
10,254
2002 Single-Family Units
4,746
Building Permits Issued
27
2002 Multi-Family Units
5,229
Building Permits Issued
3
2002 Manufactured Housing Units
279
DEMOGRAPHICS
Total Population
Community
County
2003
21,002
290,102
2000
20,784
277,359
1990
25,925
245,845
1980
26,254
190,345
1970
25,717
138,951
Census 2000 Demographics
Population by Gender
Male
10,099
Female
10,685
Population by Age Group
Under age 5
1,009
Age 5 to 19
2,864
Age 20 to 34
5,189
Age 35 to 54
6,476
Age 55 to 64
1,862
Age 65 and over
3,384
Median Age
38.5 years
Educational Attainment, population 25 years and over
High school graduate or higher
91.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
41.9%
ANNUAL INCOME, 1999 (Census 2000)
Per capita income
$27,540
Median 4-person family income
$59,630
Median household income
$45,195
Median Earnings, full-time, year-round workers
Male
$41,966
Female
$29,024
Families below the poverty level
6.4%
LABOR FORCE
Annual Average
1993
2003
Civilian Labor Force
10,154
10,927
Employed
9,576
10,429
Unemployed
578
498
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
4.6%
EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
1993
2003
Goods Producing Industries
Average Employment
1,461
2,964
Average Weekly Wage
$540
$900
Service Providing Industries
Average Employment
15,785
22,538
Average Weekly Wage
$471
$837
Total Private Industry
Average Employment
17,246
25,502
Average Weekly Wage
$477
$844
Government (Federal, State, and Local)
Average Employment
1,616
1,786
Average Weekly Wage
$573
$811
Total, Private plus Government
Average Employment
18,861
27,288
Average Weekly Wage
$485
$842
n = indicates that the data does not meet disclosure standards
EDUCATION/CHILD CARE FACILITIES
Schools students attend:
Portsmouth operates grades K-12
District: SAU 52
Career Technology Center(s):
Portsmouth High School
Region: 19
Educational Facilities
Elementary
Middle/Junior High
High School
Private/Parochial
Number of Schools
4
1
1
1
Grade Levels
P K 1-5
6-8
9-12
K-8
Total Enrollment
1,036
550
1,038
NH Licensed Child Care Facilities, 2003:
Total Facilities:18
Total Capacity:1,029
Nearest Community/Technical College:Stratham
Nearest Colleges or Universities:McIntosh; University of NH
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
PRODUCT/SERVICE
EMPLOYEES
ESTABLISHED
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Insurance
1,800
1969
HCA Hospital
Health care
1,040
1987
City of Portsmouth
Municipal services
881
Demoulas Market Basket
Supermarket
425
Lonza Biologics
Biotechnology
390
Erie Scientific/Sybron Lab Products
Laboratory equipment
310
1978
Pan Am Airlines
Airline
300
US Dept of State National Passport Center
Passport services
259
Shaws
Supermarket
226
US Dept of State National Visa Center
Visa services
215
TRANSPORTATION
Road Access
Federal Routes
1, 4
State Routes
1A, 33
Nearest Interstate, Exit
I-95, Exit 3-7
Distance
Local access
Railroad
Boston & Maine
Public Transportation
Yes
Nearest Airport
Pease
Runway
11,321 feet
Lighted?
Yes
Navigational Aids?
Yes
Nearest Commercial Airport
Pease
Distance
Local
Driving distance to selected cities:
Manchester, NH
44 miles
Portland, ME
52 miles
Boston, MA
56 miles
New York City, NY
264 miles
Montreal, Quebec
300 miles
COMMUTING TO WORK
(US Census)
Workers 16 years and over
Drove alone, car/truck/van
80.5%
Carpooled, car/truck/van
6.4%
Public transportation
1.5%
Walked
4.9%
Other Means
1.3%
Worked at home
5.4%
Mean Travel Time to Work
21.5 minutes
Percent of Working Residents
Working in community of residence
51%
Commuting to another NH community
33%
Commuting out-of-state
16%
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
X
Municipal Parks
X
YMCA/YWCA
Boys Club/Girls Club
X
Golf Courses
X
Swimming: Indoor Facility
X
Swimming: Outdoor Facility
X
Tennis Courts: Indoor Faclity
X
Tennis Courts: Outdoor Facility
Ice Skating Rink: Indoor Facility
X
Bowling Facilities
X
Museums
X
Cinemas
X
Performing Arts Facilities
X
Tourists Attractions
X
Youth Organizations (i.e., Scouts, 4-H)
X
Youth Sports: Baseball
X
Youth Sports: Soccer
X
Youth Sports: Football
X
Youth Sports: Basketball
X
Youth Sports: Hockey
Campgrounds
X
Fishing/Hunting
X
Boating/Marinas
Snowmobile Trails
X
Bicycle Trails
X
Cross Country Skiing
Beach or Waterfront Recreational Area
Nearest Ski Area(s): Gunstock
Other: Strawberry Banke; Harbor & Isles of Shoals Cruises; Historic Homes; Fish Pier; Trolley; Sailing; Kayaking; Music Festival; Shopping
Copyright 2004 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security. All Rights Reserved. Updated 07/27/04
All information regarding the communities is from sources deemed reliable and is submitted subject to errors, omissions, modifications, and withdrawals without notice. No warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy of the information contained herein. Specific questions regarding individual cities and towns should be directed to the community contact.
