Portsmouth is an independent city located in the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 100,565, but a July 1, 2002 Census estimate showed the city's population dropping to 99,790.
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a U.S. Navy facility is actually located in Portsmouth. It builds, remodels, and repairs the Navy's ships of all types.
Portsmouth has miles of waterfront land on the Elizabeth River as part of the harbor of Hampton Roads. A bright spot in Portsmouth's economic outlook is a new marine terminal for container ships scheduled to open in 2007 in the West Norfolk section.
Portsmouth is located at 36°49'52" North, 76°20'44" West (36.831298, -76.345641).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 120.7 km2 (46.6 mi2). 85.9 km2 (33.2 mi2) of it is land and 34.9 km2 (13.5 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 28.87% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 100,565 people, 38,170 households, and 25,497 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,170.9/km2 (3,032.7/mi2). There are 41,605 housing units at an average density of 484.4/km2 (1,254.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 45.84% White, 50.61% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 38,170 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% are married couples living together, 10.9% have a female household with no husband present and 33.2% are non-families. 27.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.51 and the average family size is 3.05.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $36,742, and the median income for a family is $39,577. Males have a median income of $30,122 versus $23,375 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,507. 16.2% of the population and 13.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.7% of those under the age of 18 and 10.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Portsmouth is located on the western side of the Elizabeth River directly across from the City of Norfolk. In 1620, the future site of Portsmouth was recognized as suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, a shipbuilder, who petitioned King James I of England for a land grant. The area was soon settled as a plantation community. Portsmouth was founded as a town in 1752 by William Crawford, a wealthy merchant and ship owner. In 1855, the Portsmouth and Norfolk area suffered an epidemic of yellow fever which killed 1 of every 3 citizens. It became an independent city from Norfolk County in 1858.
During the US Civil War, in 1861, Virginia joined the Confederate States of America. Fearing that the Confederacy would take control of the shipyard at Portsmouth, the shipyard commander ordered the burning of the shipyard. The Confederate forces did in fact take over the shipyard, and did so without armed conflict through an elaborate ruse orchestrated by civilian railroad builder William Mahone (soon to become a famous Confederate officer). The Union forces withdrew to Fort Monroe across Hampton Roads, which was the only land in the area which remained under Union control.
In early 1862, the Confederate ironclad warship CSS Virginia was rebuilt using the burned-out hulk of USS Merrimack. Virginia engaged the Union ironclad USS Monitor in the famous Battle of Hampton Roads during the Union blockade of Hampton Roads. The Confederates burned the shipyard again when they left in May of 1862.
Following its recapture of Norfolk and Portsmouth (and the shipyard) by the Union forces, the name of the shipyard was changed to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, after the largest city in the area, even though the shipyard was actually located in neighboring Portsmouth. This choice of name was also probably to minimize any confusion with the pre-existing Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Portsmouth was the county seat of Norfolk County until 1963 when the new City of Chesapeake was formed in a political consolidation with the City of South Norfolk. Portsmouth's other county neighbor, Nansemond County also consolidated with a smaller city, forming the new City of Suffolk in 1974.
In the early 21st century, Portsmouth was undergoing moderate urban renewal in the downtown area. However, population had been declining and there was no room for expansion, as it is surrounded by water and other cities of South Hampton Roads.
A Virginia state legislator recently proposed a plan by which Portsmouth would merge with its neighbor cities of Norfolk and Suffolk. After a cold reception from Suffolk, the legislator changed the plan so that it would merge only Portsmouth and Norfolk. The plan, in any form, is enthusiastically embraced in Portsmouth, which has a radically limited tax base. A large portion of the city is controlled by the U.S. Navy; when Navy facilities are combined with schools, churches, and other tax-exempt entities, over half of Portsmouth's assessed valuation is off the tax rolls.
A new marine terminal for container ships scheduled to open in 2007 in the West Norfolk section. Virginia has funded millions of dollars in railroad and transportation improvements to serve it.
Source:
PortsmouthVirginia.com
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