Portsmouth's 2026 population is now estimated at 215,781.In 2025, the population of Portsmouth was 215,050.Portsmouth has grown by 731 in the last year, which represents a 0.34% annual change.These population values and projections come from World Population Review Internal Projections.
Portsmouth is a city that is located in Hampshire, England. It is located about 19 miles from Southampton and 70 miles from London. It is mainly situated on Portsea Island and is the country’s only city that is located on an island. The city has a history that dates back to Roman times. It has played a significant role throughout the history of England, including its role during the French invasion. The city’s port has also played a significant role in its economy. As of 2011, the city has a population of 205,100. The population is estimated now exceed 209,000 as of 2017.
The city’s last population from the 2011 Census was recorded as 205,100. Based on this data, the population of the city is broken down by ethnicity as follows: 84% White British, 4.3% White Other, 6.1% Asian, 1.8% Black, 2.7% Mixed, and 1.1% Other.
The city is the most densely populated in the United Kingdom, with census data showing that there are 5,100 people per square kilometer, far exceeding the national average. The population was much higher during the 1950s, according to city data. However, the population began to rise again during the 1990s. The city has a very diverse culture filled with different communities of all races and ethnicities, as many people have immigrated to the city to work on the docks and factories.
The history of Portsmouth dates back to Roman times and was names Portesmuoa, which translates to mean the haven at the mouth of a large river. Some say that Portsmouth was founded by a pirate. In its earliest years, the city was invaded by Danish pirates multiple times through 1066.
In later years, Portsmouth was raided and attacked by the French. The city continued to develop through all of the trials and was building its economy through the export of livestock, wool, grain and corn. In the 1500s, an outbreak of the plague killed a large portion of the population, which at the time stood around 2,000 people.
During the English Civil War, the city again played a significant role by serving as a base for the parliamentarian navy. The harbor was also used as a base during the First Anglo-Dutch War and the Anglo Spanish War. Following the Civil War, the city declared Charles II as king and the economy began to thrive. Shipbuilding was a thriving industry and during the 1600s became one of the most heavily fortified places in the world.
The Industrial Revolution came and with brought new opportunities. The first mass production line was created as Portsmouth Block Mills. Portsmouth was home to the largest industrial site in the world by the 19th century. In 1811, expansion of the city began across Portsea Island, incorporating other areas including Buckland, Fratton and Stamshaw. The city faced several hardships throughout the 1800s including a small epidemic and a cholera epidemic.
From the beginning of the 20th century, Portsmouth was known as the greatest naval port in the world. The city’s dockyard employed tens of thousands of people during World War I. The city had one of the most strategic ports during the war. Portsmouth was named as a city in 1926. World War II brought great destruction and death to the city. After the war, new housing developments were developed. In the 1950s, thousands of homes were found to be uninhabitable, so they were demolished and rebuilt through the next two decades.
Today, the city still has a thriving economy and attracts many industries, including IBM and Zurich Insurance Group. The city’s port still continues to play an important role in the economy and employs thousands of people. The city also has several theaters, music venues, shopping centers, and other attractions, as well as its historic landmarks.
The figures from the 2011 census reflected a growth of almost 10% in terms of population when compared to the previous census taken in 2001. The primary increases in population were across the working-aged demographic, with many people coming to Portsmouth in seek of employment at its dockyard or other businesses. An increase in children ages 4 and under was also reported between the censuses held in 2001 and 2011. Because of the increases in overall population and these key demographics, Portsmouth’s population is expected to continue to see steady growth. The next census for England and Wales has been scheduled for 2021.
City | 2026 Pop.↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| London | 9,188,200 | 0.54% |
| Birmingham | 1,199,447 | 0.67% |
| Leeds | 860,894 | 0.92% |
| Glasgow | 663,221 | 0.99% |
| Manchester | 605,521 | 1.34% |
| Cornwall | 591,594 | 0.71% |
| Sheffield | 588,768 | 0.54% |
| Bradford | 570,186 | 0.58% |
| County Durham | 543,515 | 0.51% |
| Edinburgh | 540,101 | 0.88% |
| Wiltshire | 531,890 | 0.78% |
| Liverpool | 518,060 | 0.89% |
| Bristol | 504,401 | 1.01% |
| Kirklees | 451,654 | 0.42% |
| Cheshire East | 431,445 | 1.2% |
| Croydon | 415,854 | 0.79% |
| Barnet | 411,361 | 0.78% |
| Leicester | 397,462 | 1.17% |
| Ealing | 392,217 | 0.8% |
| Cardiff | 391,495 | 0.98% |