Editing Portsmouth, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Portsmouth, Ohio
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = P-Town
| motto                    = "Where Southern Hospitality Begins"
| image_skyline            = Portsmouth,_Ohio.jpg
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = Downtown Portsmouth looking north from [[U.S. Grant Bridge]]
| image_flag               = Flag of Portsmouth, Ohio.png
| image_seal               = Seal of Portsmouth, Ohio.png
| image_map                = Map of Scioto County Ohio Highlighting Portsmouth City.png
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Portsmouth in Scioto County
| pushpin_map              = Ohio#USA
| pushpin_relief           = yes
| pushpin_label = Portsmouth
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_name1        = [[Ohio]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Scioto County, Ohio|Scioto]]
| government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
| leader_title1            = [[Council-mayor government|Mayor]]
| leader_name1             = Charlotte Gordon <ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-19 |title=Government City Council |url=https://portsmouthohio.org/government-city-council/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=The City of Portsmouth Ohio |language=en-US}}</ref>
| leader_title2            = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name2             = Sam Sutherland {{cn|date=February 2024}}
| established_title        = Founded
| established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date         = 1803
| established_date2        = 1815
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 28.69
| area_land_km2            = 27.79
| area_water_km2           = 0.90
| area_total_sq_mi         = 11.08
| area_land_sq_mi          = 10.73
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.35
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total         = 18252
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_est           = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 1701.18
| population_density_km2   = 656.82
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = -5
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = -4
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 45662
| area_code                = [[Area code 740|740]]
| coordinates              = {{coord|38|44|22|N|82|56|40|W|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 846
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 39-64304<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1086933<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1086933}}</ref>
| footnotes                = 
| website                  = {{URL|https://portsmouthoh.org/}}
}}
'''Portsmouth''' is a city in [[Scioto County, Ohio]], United States, and its [[county seat]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>  Located in [[southern Ohio]] {{convert|41|mi|km}} south of [[Chillicothe, Ohio|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 United States census|2020 census]]. It is the principal city of the [[Micropolitan statistical area|Portsmouth micropolitan area]].<ref name="World Population Review">{{cite web|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/cities/ohio|access-date=2021-02-14|title=World Population Review|publisher=US Census Annual Estimates}}</ref>

==History==
===Foundation===
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.<ref name = "Squier">{{cite book|title=Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley|year=1848|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]]|pages=179–187|url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/4301/view/1/179/|author=Ephraim George Squier|author2=Edwin Hamilton Davis}}</ref>[[File:Portsmouth Works Group A B C D Squier and Davis 01.jpg|thumb|left|1847 map showing the location of the [[Portsmouth Earthworks]] northeast of Portsmouth.<ref name = "Squier"/>]]

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]].<ref name = "Hanna">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SCYMAAAAYAAJ|title=The Wilderness Trail: Or, The Ventures and Adventures of the Pennsylvania Traders on the Allegheny Path|first=Charles Augustus|last=Hanna|date=February 22, 1911|publisher=G. P. Putnam's sons|isbn=9780598504005 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

European-Americans began to settle in the 1790s after the American Revolutionary War, and the small town of Alexandria was founded.<ref name="Old Alexandria">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=3057|title=Alexandria|access-date=2008-02-28|author=Ohio Historical Society}}</ref> Located at the confluence, Alexandria was flooded numerous times by the [[Ohio River|Ohio]] and the [[Scioto River|Scioto]] rivers.

In 1796, Emanuel Traxler became the first person of European descent to permanently occupy land in what would later be known as Portsmouth, after the United States gained its independence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Portsmouth, Ohio|url=https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Portsmouth,_Ohio|access-date=October 3, 2021|website=Ohio History Central}}</ref>

In 1803, Henry Massie found a better location slightly east and somewhat removed from the flood plains. He began to plot the new city by mapping the streets and distributing the land. Portsmouth was founded in 1803 and established as a city in 1815. It was designated as the county seat. Settlers left Alexandria, and it soon disappeared. Massie named Portsmouth after the town of [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]].<ref name=":0" />

The Ohio state legislature passed "[[Black Laws of 1804 and 1807|Black Laws]]" in 1804 that restricted movement of free blacks and required persons to carry papers, in an effort 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.<ref>Andrew Feight, Ph.D., ""Black Friday": Enforcing Ohio's "Black Laws" in Portsmouth, Ohio," Scioto Historical, accessed March 27, 2018, http://www.sciotohistorical.org/items/show/108.</ref>

Although southern Ohio was dominated in number by anti-abolitionist settlers from the South, some whites also worked to improve conditions for blacks and aid refugee slaves. Portsmouth became important in the antebellum years as part of the [[Underground Railroad]]. Fugitive slaves from Kentucky and other parts of the South crossed the Ohio River here. Some found their future in Portsmouth; others moved north along the Scioto River to reach [[Detroit]], Michigan, and get farther away from slave catchers. Many continued into Canada to secure their freedom.<ref name="Foundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=793|title=Portsmouth|access-date=2007-05-16|author=Ohio Historical Society}}</ref> A historical marker near the Grant Bridge commemorates this period of Portsmouth's history.<ref>[http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5DYK_Underground_Railroad_Marker__Portsmouth_OH "Underground Railroad Marker - Portsmouth, OH"], Waymarking; accessed 27 March 2018</ref> [[James Mitchell Ashley|James Ashley]] of Portsmouth continued his activism and pursued a political career. After being elected to Congress, he wrote the [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution]], which abolished slavery in 1865 after the American Civil War.<ref>[http://www.sciotohistorical.org/tours/show/10 Andrew Feight, PhD., Tour: "Abolitionists & the Underground Railroad"], Scioto Historical; accessed 27 March 2018</ref>

Portsmouth quickly developed an industrial base due to its location at the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto rivers. Early industrial growth included having meat packing and shipping facilities for Thomas Worthington's [[Chillicothe, Ohio|Chillicothe]] farm, located north of Portsmouth on the Scioto River. Its growth was stimulated by the completion of the [[Ohio and Erie Canal]] in the 1820s and 1830s,<ref name="EarlyGrowth">{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9061003|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118163158/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9061003|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-18|title=Portsmouth|access-date=2008-02-28|author=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref> which provided access to the Great Lakes, opening up northern markets.
[[File:The steamer 'Bonanza', at the Portsmouth Ohio waterfront during the 1884 flood OldBoat 022519.jpg|thumb|The steamer ''Bonanza'' in Portsmouth during the 1884 flood]]

The construction of the [[Norfolk and Western Railway|Norfolk and Western (N&W)]] railyards beginning in 1838 and the completion of the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]] (B&O) junction at the city in the late 1850s quickly surpassed the canal in stimulating growth. The railroads soon carried more freight than the canal, with the B&O connecting the city to the Baltimore and Washington, DC markets. By the end of the 19th century, Portsmouth was one of the most important industrial cities on the Ohio River between [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]] and [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]. It became an iron and steel factory town with new companies like the [[Portsmouth Steel Company]].

===20th century===
The city's growth continued. By 1916, during World War I, Portsmouth was listed as being a major industrial and jobbing center, the nation's fourth-largest shoe manufacturing center, and the nation's largest manufacturer of fire and paving bricks. [[Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel]] (later called Empire-Detroit Steel) employed over 1,000 people. 100 other manufacturing companies produced goods from furniture to engines.<ref name="N&W Shippers Guide">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dDsuAAAAYAAJ&q=shippers+guide+1916|title=Industrial and shippers guide|access-date=2012-08-24|author=Norfolk and Western Railway Company. Agricultural and Industrial Dept|year=1916}}</ref>

Such industrial and shipping growth greatly benefited Boneyfiddle (a west-end neighborhood in Portsmouth), where grand buildings were constructed with the wealth from the commerce. As time passed, much of the commerce began to move toward Chillicothe Street, which has remained Portsmouth's main thoroughfare.

The city population peaked at just over 42,000 in 1930. In 1931, the [[Norfolk Southern Corporation]] built a grand, [[art deco]] passenger station at 16th and Findlay streets that provided a substantial entry to the city. Passengers used the station for access to both interstate and intrastate train lines, which provided basic transportation for many. The widespread availability of affordable automobiles and changing patterns resulted in reduction in rail passenger traffic here and nationally. The station was later used for offices and its keys were turned over to Scioto County in 2003, and the building was demolished in 2004.<ref>[http://www.west2k.com/ohstations/scioto.shtml "Scioto County, Ohio"], Ohio Railroad Stations Past & Present; accessed 27 March 2018</ref>

Suburbanization also affected the city. By the 1950 census, the population had begun to decline, falling below 40,000. Some of this change was due to the effects of highway construction, which stimulated suburban residential development in the postwar years. But during the late 20th century, foreign competition and industrial restructuring resulted in the loss of most of the industrial jobs on which Portsmouth's economy had been based; the jobs moved out of the area, with many going overseas.

Further decline occurred in 1980 after the suspension of operations at Empire Detroit Steel's Portsmouth Works, which took place after the sale of the steel plant to [[AK Steel Holding|Armco Steel]]. Armco Steel closed the plant because it did not want to replace the obsolete open hearth furnaces with more efficient basic oxygen steel furnaces. The plant also needed a continuous caster to replace the obsolete soaking pits and blooming mill in 1995. When the steel mill closed, 1,300 steelworkers were laid off.

===21st century ===
[[File:US Grant Bridge aerial 2017.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of downtown Portsmouth]]
As of 2010, Portsmouth has a population of approximately 20,000. It has shared in the loss of jobs due to unskilled labor outsourcing and population migration to more populous urban areas.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} Despite its relatively small size, Portsmouth has been a regular stop for recent presidential campaigns. In September 2004, [[George W. Bush]] visited the city as part of his reelection campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5963411|title=USA TODAY: Latest World and US News - USATODAY.com|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2017-07-03}}</ref> Vice-presidential candidate [[John Edwards]] also visited Portsmouth that month.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2004/09/17/Edwards-pledges-to-keep-jobs-of-workers-at-uranium-plant.html|title=Edwards pledges to keep jobs of workers at uranium plant|date=2004-09-17|work=The Blade|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en-US}}</ref> During the 2008 campaign, numerous candidates and surrogates visited Portsmouth, and some spoke at [[Shawnee State University]]: [[Bill Clinton]] on behalf of [[Hillary Clinton]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/bill-clinton-visits-tri-state-area/article_73cb3ab2-f18a-5084-bfa9-c86c8673af5d.html|title=Bill Clinton visits Tri-State area|last=Herald-Dispatch|first=DAVID E. MALLOYThe|work=The Herald-Dispatch|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en}}</ref> Republican nominee [[John McCain]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/photos_news/gallery-mccain-visits-portsmouth/article_855bbd2a-9d6f-5219-9c00-3cb0e286e7aa.html|title=Gallery: McCain visits Portsmouth|last=Herald-Dispatch.com|work=The Herald-Dispatch|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en}}</ref> and U.S. Senator [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/photos_news/gallery-obama-in-portsmouth/article_19afe450-2a69-55d4-9c27-ed0606f413e9.html|title=Gallery: Obama in Portsmouth|last=Herald-DispatchHerald-Dispatch.com|first=2008/The|work=The Herald-Dispatch|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en}}</ref> who won the election. In 2012, candidate [[Mitt Romney]] spoke at Shawnee State University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/Romney-Campaigns-in-Portsmouth-Oh-174065171.html|title=Romney Campaigns in Portsmouth, Oh.|last=Jarosz|first=Brooks|date=October 14, 2012|website=WSAZ}}</ref> In March 2016, Bill Clinton visited Portsmouth again to campaign for Hillary Clinton.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/President-Bill-Clinton-makes-a-stop-in-Portsmouth-371901212.html|title=President Bill Clinton makes a stop in Portsmouth|last=WSAZ|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en}}</ref> In August 2017, U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate [[Bernie Sanders]] spoke at a rally at Shawnee State University.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Puit|first=Glenn|date=August 22, 2017|title=Sanders addresses healthcare, public education in Portsmouth rally|work=The Daily Independent|url=https://www.dailyindependent.com/news/local_news/sanders-addresses-healthcare-public-education-in-portsmouth-rally/article_1fc1345a-8757-11e7-ba4b-63be08c2afa4.html|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref>

Portsmouth and other parts of Scioto County have worked to redevelop blighted properties and create a new economy. Along with adapting disused residential properties, Portsmouth has begun the process of transforming abandoned industrial and commercial properties to other uses.

The city has initiated new developments in its downtown. The Ohio Legislature passed House Bill 233 on April 20, 2016, to authorize cities to create Downtown Redevelopment Districts. They operate similarly to a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. Portsmouth formed a Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD) in 2017 in the Boneyfiddle neighborhood to increase investment and development there.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.communitycommon.com/news/2091/portsmouth-to-form-downtown-redevelopment-district|title=Portsmouth to form Downtown Redevelopment District|access-date=2017-07-03|others=Community Common|language=en-US}}</ref>

Through the early 21st century, there has been a noticeable increase in investment in Portsmouth's local economy. New investments and developments in the local economy led to Portsmouth's inclusion in ''Site Selection Magazine''{{'}}s "Top 10 Micropolitan areas". Celina, Defiance and Portsmouth were among a group of cities tied for 10th. Portsmouth attracted nine significant economic development projects in 2016, nearly as many as it had from 2004 to 2013 combined.<ref name="Data points to economic growth">{{Cite news|url=http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/6219/data-points-to-economic-growth|title=Data points to economic growth|access-date=2017-07-03|others=Portsmouth Daily Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170301/ohio-2nd-in-economic-development-report-columbus-finishes-8th|title=Ohio 2nd in economic-development report; Columbus finishes 8th|last=Williams|first=Mark|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en}}</ref>

In 2014, Portsmouth was one of 350 cities to enter a submission in the America's Best Communities competition, hoping to win the $3 million first place prize.<ref name=ABCSemis>{{Cite news |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160113005710/en/Fifteen-Communities-Advance-America%E2%80%99s-Communities-10M-Prize |title=Fifteen Communities Advance in America's Best Communities $10M Prize Competition |first=John |last=Puskar |work=[[Frontier Communications]] |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |date=2016-06-13 |access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref> In April 2015, Portsmouth was chosen as one of the 50 quarter-finalists, winning $50,000 to help prepare a Community Revitalization Plan.<ref name=ABCSemis/> In January 2016, Portsmouth's plan, which emphasized using its most valuable asset, the Ohio River, as a key to revitalizing the city, earned it one of 15 spots in the competition's semifinals.<ref name=ABCResult>{{Cite news |url=https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/7352/portsmouth-does-not-advance-in-competition |title=$25,000 given to continue work |first=Wayne |last=Allen |work=[[Portsmouth Daily Times]] |date=2016-04-27 |access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref> In April 2016, Portsmouth was one of seven cities eliminated at the semifinal round, but received an additional $25,000 for use in continuing to develop its plans to improve commercial and community access to the riverfront by making the port a premier regional destination for industrial development, small business development, and riverfront recreation.<ref name=ABCResult/>

In 2019, Portsmouth was named Hallmarks' Hometown Christmas Town. The Friends of Portsmouth group held the annual Winterfest celebration event that brought Christmas lights, vendors, ice skating, carriage rides, tree lighting, and more to Market Square.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ball|first=Lane|date=December 1, 2019|title=Winterfest attracts attention from the Hallmark Channel|work=WOWK 13News|url=https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/winterfest-attracts-attention-from-the-hallmark-channel/|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Kimberly|date=November 18, 2019|title=Portsmouth named Hallmark Hometown Christmas Town|work=Portsmouth Daily Times|url=https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/43173/portsmouth-named-hallmark-hometown-christmas-town|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Ohio river painting HRoe 2002.jpg|thumb|A painting of the confluence of the Ohio and Scioto rivers, showing the dissected plateau terrain and the [[Carl D. Perkins]] Bridge.]]
Portsmouth is at the [[confluence]] of the [[Ohio River|Ohio]], [[Scioto River|Scioto]], and [[Little Scioto River (Ohio River)|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 [[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 (ecoregion)|Western Allegheny Plateau]].<ref name=hort.purdue.edu>{{cite web|title=Level III Ecoregions of Ohio|url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropmap/ohio/maps/OHeco3.html|work=National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory|publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency|access-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|11.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|10.73|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.34|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-07-02}}</ref>

===Neighborhoods===
*[[Sciotoville, Ohio|Sciotoville]], {{convert|5|mi|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, a community within Portsmouth, north of the Village of New Boston. North Moreland connects the larger western section of Portsmouth with Sciotoville.
*[[Boneyfiddle, Ohio|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, 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.

===Climate===
Portsmouth has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') closely bordering a hot-summer [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfa''.) Average monthly temperatures range from {{convert|32.1|°F|°C|1}} in January to {{convert|76.1|°F|°C|1}} in July. All months average above freezing, three months average above {{convert|22|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} and seven months average above {{convert|10|°C|°F|disp=or}}.

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = Portsmouth, Ohio (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
 | Jan record high F  = 79
 | Feb record high F  = 79
 | Mar record high F  = 96
 | Apr record high F  = 97
 | May record high F  = 99
 | Jun record high F  = 103
 | Jul record high F  = 107
 | Aug record high F  = 105
 | Sep record high F  = 103
 | Oct record high F  = 94
 | Nov record high F  = 85
 | Dec record high F  = 76
 | year record high F = 

|Jan avg record high F = 64.4
|Feb avg record high F = 67.4
|Mar avg record high F = 75.8
|Apr avg record high F = 83.3
|May avg record high F = 88.0
|Jun avg record high F = 91.7
|Jul avg record high F = 93.9
|Aug avg record high F = 93.2
|Sep avg record high F = 91.5
|Oct avg record high F = 84.2
|Nov avg record high F = 75.5
|Dec avg record high F = 65.3
|year avg record high F = 95.2

 | Jan high F = 41.3
 | Feb high F = 45.2
 | Mar high F = 55.0
 | Apr high F = 67.3
 | May high F = 75.8
 | Jun high F = 83.4
 | Jul high F = 86.7
 | Aug high F = 86.0
 | Sep high F = 80.3
 | Oct high F = 68.9
 | Nov high F = 56.3
 | Dec high F = 45.7
 | year high F = 66.0
 | Jan mean F = 32.1
 | Feb mean F = 35.1
 | Mar mean F = 43.8
 | Apr mean F = 54.7
 | May mean F = 64.1
 | Jun mean F = 72.4
 | Jul mean F = 76.1
 | Aug mean F = 74.7
 | Sep mean F = 68.2
 | Oct mean F = 56.3
 | Nov mean F = 44.8
 | Dec mean F = 36.7
 | year mean F = 54.9
 | Jan low F = 22.9
 | Feb low F = 25.0
 | Mar low F = 32.6
 | Apr low F = 42.1
 | May low F = 52.4
 | Jun low F = 61.3
 | Jul low F = 65.4
 | Aug low F = 63.4
 | Sep low F = 56.1
 | Oct low F = 43.6
 | Nov low F = 33.4
 | Dec low F = 27.6
 | year low F = 43.8

|Jan avg record low F = 4.3
|Feb avg record low F = 9.0
|Mar avg record low F = 16.8
|Apr avg record low F = 27.5
|May avg record low F = 37.1
|Jun avg record low F = 49.0
|Jul avg record low F = 55.7
|Aug avg record low F = 53.6
|Sep avg record low F = 43.1
|Oct avg record low F = 30.9
|Nov avg record low F = 20.2
|Dec avg record low F = 12.8
|year avg record low F = 1.5

 | Jan record low F  = -29
 | Feb record low F  = -18
 | Mar record low F  = 0
 | Apr record low F  = 14
 | May record low F  = 28
 | Jun record low F  = 38
 | Jul record low F  = 40
 | Aug record low F  = 35
 | Sep record low F  = 28
 | Oct record low F  = 18
 | Nov record low F  = 2
 | Dec record low F  = -18
 | year record low F = 
 | precipitation colour   = green
 | Jan precipitation inch = 3.09
 | Feb precipitation inch = 3.00
 | Mar precipitation inch = 4.12
 | Apr precipitation inch = 3.95
 | May precipitation inch = 4.60
 | Jun precipitation inch = 4.14
 | Jul precipitation inch = 4.42
 | Aug precipitation inch = 3.27
 | Sep precipitation inch = 3.30
 | Oct precipitation inch = 2.95
 | Nov precipitation inch = 2.75
 | Dec precipitation inch = 3.50
 | year precipitation inch = 43.09
 | unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
 | Jan precipitation days  = 11.3
 | Feb precipitation days  = 10.9
 | Mar precipitation days  = 12.0
 | Apr precipitation days  = 12.1
 | May precipitation days  = 13.2
 | Jun precipitation days  = 12.0
 | Jul precipitation days  = 11.3
 | Aug precipitation days  = 9.1
 | Sep precipitation days  = 8.1
 | Oct precipitation days  = 9.1
 | Nov precipitation days  = 9.9
 | Dec precipitation days  = 11.5
 | year precipitation days = 130.5
 | source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=iln
|title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 15, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00336781&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = November 15, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 527
|1830= 1378
|1840= 1544
|1850= 4011
|1860= 6268
|1870= 10592
|1880= 11321
|1890= 12394
|1900= 17870
|1910= 23481
|1920= 33011
|1930= 42560
|1940= 40466
|1950= 36798
|1960= 33637
|1970= 27633
|1980= 25993
|1990= 22676
|2000= 20909
|2010= 20226
|2020= 18252
|estyear=2021
|estimate=18014
|estref=
|footnote=Sources:<ref name="GR2" /><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/portsmouthcityohio,US/PST045221|title=Portsmouth city, Ohio|website=census.gov|accessdate=July 6, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, 20,226 people, 8,286 households, and 4,707 families resided in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1885.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 9,339 housing units at an average density of {{convert|870.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The city's racial makeup was 90.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 8,286 households, of which 28.5% had children under 18 living with them, 33.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.2% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 36.1. 21.6% of residents were under 18; 14.3% were between 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, 20,909 people, 9,120 households, and 5,216 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,941.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,248 housing units at an average density of 951.5 per square mile (367.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The city's racial makeup was 91.50% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.00% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.63% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.61% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.32% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.92% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.93% of the population.

There were 9,120 households, of which 25.9% had children under 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.8% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city the population was spread out, with 22.0% under 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.

The [[median income]] for a household in the city was $23,004, and the median income for a family was $31,237. Males had a median income of $31,521 versus $20,896 for females. The [[per capita income]] was $15,078. About 18.3% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 31.1% of those under 18 and 14.5% of those 65 or older.

==Economy==
Portsmouth's major employers include [[Southern Ohio Medical Center]], [[King's Daughters Medical Center|Kings Daughters Medical Center Ohio]], [[Shawnee State University]], Norfolk Southern Corp.(Railroad), Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and OSCO Industries. In November 2002, the [[Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant]] in nearby [[Piketon, Ohio]], was recognized as a [[Nuclear Historic Landmark]] by the [[American Nuclear Society]]. It served a military function from 1952 until the mid-1960s, when the mission changed from enriching uranium for [[nuclear weapons]] to producing fuel for commercial [[nuclear power plants]]. The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant ended enriching operations in 2001 and began to support operational and administrative functions and perform external contract work. The site is being cleaned up for future development by Fluor/ B&W.

[[Graf Brothers Flooring and Lumber]], the world's largest manufacturer of rift and quartered oak products, has two satellite log yards in Portsmouth, with the company's main office across the river in [[South Shore, Kentucky]]. Portsmouth is the home of Sole Choice Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers of shoelaces.

==Arts and culture==
===Buildings and landmarks===
{{see also|National Register of Historic Places listings in Scioto County, Ohio}}
[[File:Columbia Music Hall.JPG|thumb|The façade of the historic Columbia Music Hall, the only portion remaining after a fire in 2007, rebuilt in 2012 as the open air Columbia 
Music Arena.<ref name="Columbia">{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/1607118/article-Fire-decimates-Columbia-Early-morning-blaze-guts-music-hall--cause-investigated|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131163723/http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/1607118/article-Fire-decimates-Columbia-Early-morning-blaze-guts-music-hall--cause-investigated|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-31|title=Fire Decimates Columbia|author=Frank Lewis|access-date=2007-11-12}}</ref>]]

Many historical buildings in Portsmouth have been demolished because of poor upkeep, other city development, or the completion of new buildings that replaced the landmarks. Landmarks that have been demolished include the old Norfolk & Western rail depot, churches dating back to the early 20th century, houses dating to the 1850s, Grant Middle School, and the old Portsmouth High School and various elementary schools.

Many buildings survive from the early 19th century. Old churches are among the reminders of Portsmouth's past and identity. The historic 1910 Columbia Theater was destroyed by a fire in 2007, demolished, and rebuilt in 2012 as the open-air Columbia Music Hall, with a refurbished façade from the original structure serving as the entry point.<ref name="Columbia"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/local/071118-rutherford-localcolumbiamusichallfire.html |title=Huntington News |access-date=2011-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723145829/http://archives.huntingtonnews.net/local/071118-rutherford-localcolumbiamusichallfire.html |archive-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theater/22069/|title = Columbia Music Arena in Portsmouth, OH - Cinema Treasures}}</ref> Other noted historic buildings include the old monastery, which can be seen for miles, and [[Universal Stadium|Spartan Stadium]], as well as numerous buildings in the [[Boneyfiddle Commercial District|Boneyfiddle Historic District]], which is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. In 1982, [[Miami University]] students conducted research on several of Portsmouth's most important historic buildings. This work resulted in an exhibition at the Miami University Art Museum and a book, ''Portsmouth: Architecture in an Ohio River Town.''<ref>{{cite book |editor= Edna Carter Southard
|title= Portsmouth: Architecture in an Ohio River Town |year= 1982 |publisher= Miami University Art Museum |location= Oxford, OH |isbn= 0-940784-01-7}}</ref>

In October 2016, a Shawnee State University professor submitted a proposal to the [[State Farm]] Neighborhood Assist grant program to preserve [[Spartan Municipal Stadium]].<ref name=StateFarm>{{Cite news |url=http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/11579/spartan-municipal-stadium-up-for-25k-grant-community-votes-needed-to-secure-funding |title=Spartan Municipal Stadium up for $25k grant — Community votes needed to secure funding |first=Ciara |last=Conley |work=[[Portsmouth Daily Times]] |date=2016-10-26 |access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref> The stadium opened in 1930 as the original home of the [[History of the Portsmouth Spartans|Portsmouth Spartans]], now the fifth-oldest active franchise in the [[National Football League]] (as the [[Detroit Lions]]).<ref name=StateFarm/> In November 2016, the city won a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist grant for the stadium's renovation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/12231/stadium-renovation-project-wins-25k |title=Stadium renovation project wins $25k |first=Ciara |last=Conley |work=[[Portsmouth Daily Times]] |date=2016-12-01 |access-date=2019-07-22 }}</ref>

===Library===
[[File:Portsmouth Public Library.JPG|thumb|[[Portsmouth Public Library (Ohio)|Portsmouth Public Library]]]]
The [[Portsmouth Public Library (Ohio)|Portsmouth Public Library]] is the city's library, founded in 1879. It has branch libraries throughout Scioto County. The Southern Ohio Museum, founded in 1979, has more than 60 exhibits, including artwork by [[Clarence Holbrook Carter]] and [[Jesse Stuart]], China dolls, Native American artifacts, and works by local artists.

===Floodwalls===
[[File:Portsmouth 1903 - Levee Walk.jpg|thumb|Floodwall mural showing the city of Portsmouth as it appeared in 1903]]
Although developed on higher ground, the city has been subject to seasonal flooding. It had extensive flooding in 1884, 1913, and 1937. After the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|flood of 1937]], the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] constructed a floodwall protecting the city, which prevented two major floods in 1964 and 1997.

In 1992, Portsmouth began honoring some of the many accomplishments of its area natives by placing a star on the riverside of the floodwall. This is known as the Portsmouth Wall of Fame and was instituted by then-mayor Frank Gerlach. Honorees include [[Don Gullett]], [[Al Oliver]], and [[Dan Quayle]], who is not a Portsmouth native.<ref name="Stars">{{cite news|url=http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2007/07/27/news/front_page/3news_stars.txt|title=City to Repair Stars|author=Jeff Barron|newspaper=Portsmouth Daily Times|date=July 27, 2007|access-date=2007-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201509/http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/articles/2007/07/27/news/front_page/3news_stars.txt|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
 
In 1992 a nonprofit group headed by Louis R. and Ava Chaboudy was formed to investigate developing a [[mural]]-based tourist attraction on the floodwall. In 1993, muralist [[Robert Dafford]] was commissioned and began painting murals of Portsmouth's history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strickland|first=Ted|title=Portsmouth Flood Wall Mural Project - Ohio Legacies Captured in Art|url=http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/loc.afc.afc-legacies.200003461/|access-date=October 10, 2021|website=Library of Congress - Local Legacies}}</ref> He hired local art student [[Herb Roe]] as an assistant. Roe apprenticed to and worked for Dafford for 15 years.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Diverse Display|author=Phyllis Noah|work=Portsmouth Daily Times|date=August 27, 2006}}</ref> The project eventually spanned sixty {{convert|20|ft|m}} tall consecutive Portsmouth murals, stretching for over 2,000 feet (610 m).<ref name="SCIOTOCOUNTY">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sciotocountyohio.com/mural.htm |title=Scioto County, Ohio-The Mural Project |access-date=2010-03-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425202306/http://www.sciotocountyohio.com/mural.htm |archive-date=2010-04-25 }}</ref> The murals cover subjects from the area's history from the ancient [[Mound builder (people)|mound building]] [[Adena culture|Adena]] and [[Hopewell tradition|Hopewell]] cultures to modern sporting events and notable natives.

These subjects include:
* The [[Portsmouth Earthworks]], a large mound complex constructed by the [[Hopewell tradition#Ohio Hopewell culture|Ohio Hopewell culture]] from 100 BCE to 500 CE.
* [[Lower Shawneetown]], a [[Shawnee]] village that straddled the Ohio River just downstream during the late 18th century.
* The 1749 "Lead Plate Expedition" to advance France's territorial claim on the Ohio Valley, led by [[Pierre Joseph Céloron de Blainville]].
* [[Tecumseh]], a Shawnee leader who directed a large [[Tecumseh's Confederacy|tribal confederacy]] that opposed the U.S. during [[Tecumseh's War]] and the [[War of 1812]]. He grew up in the [[Ohio country]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and the [[Northwest Indian War]].
* Henry Massie, a founding father of the town and surveyor who laid out the original [[plat]] in 1803.
* A [[American Civil War|Civil War]] unit from Portsmouth, Battery L, fighting at [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]]
* [[Jim Thorpe]], a Native American athlete who played as the player/coach of the semi-professional ''Portsmouth Shoesteels'' in the late 1920s.
* The [[Portsmouth Spartans]], a member of the [[NFL]] from 1929 to 1933; the organization later moved to Detroit to become the [[Detroit Lions]].
* [[Branch Rickey]], influential baseball coach, inventor of the [[farm team]] system, and the signer of [[Jackie Robinson]] to [[Major League Baseball]]; Robinson broke the [[baseball color line]] when he debuted with the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] in 1947.
* [[Clarence Holbrook Carter]], an [[Regionalism (art)|American Regionalist]] and [[surrealist]] painter.
* Carl Ackerman, local photographer and historic photo collector, whose collection was used for many of the river murals.
* The disastrous [[Ohio River flood of 1937]], which led to the construction of the floodwall.
* Transportation – stagecoaches, riverboats, railroads and the [[Ohio and Erie Canal]], which had its terminus just outside Portsmouth.
* Local notables including [[Roy Rogers]], [[Jesse Stuart]], [[Julia Marlowe]], and [[Vern Riffe]].
* Other panels explore the local history of education, the first European settlers, industries (including the steel industry, shoe industry, and the [[Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant]]), [[sister cities]], the local [[Carnegie library]], firemen and police, period genre scenes of old downtown and other localities, and a memorial to area armed forces veterans.

The original mural project was finished in 2003. Since then several additional panels have been added, including murals honoring Portsmouth's baseball heroes in 2006; and the ''Tour of the Scioto River Valley'' ([[TOSRV]]), a bicycle tour between [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]] and Portsmouth in 2007.<ref name="Newest Mural">{{cite web|url=http://communitycommon.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=111620|title=Newest Mural Honors TOSRV|author=Wayne Allen|publisher=CommunityCommon|access-date=2007-08-19|date=August 19, 2007}}</ref>

===Indian Head Rock===
The [[Indian Head Rock]] is an eight-ton [[sandstone]] boulder that until 2007 rested at the bottom of the [[Ohio River]]. Historically, the boulder was used to record low river stages. It is notable due to its history and the figures and names of people carved into the rock at times of low water levels. In 1917, the construction of a dam downriver from Portsmouth meant that the rock would forever be submerged, if not for its recovery by a group of local divers led by an [[Ironton, Ohio|Ironton]] historian. The rock's removal led Kentucky and Ohio into a legislative battle to determine its ownership and disposition.<ref name="CBS">{{cite news |last=Hartman |first=Steve |date=March 28, 2008 |title=An Epic Battle Over A Rock |publisher=[[CBS]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/an-epic-battle-over-a-rock-28-03-2008/}}</ref> The rock was returned to Kentucky in 2010.

=== Guinness World Records ===
Portsmouth's leaders and citizens have organized to win certification for several Guinness World Records for the city. In 2018, the "Friends Plant Portsmouth" participants shattered the record for the most people simultaneously potting plants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-16 |title=Portsmouth takes World Record - Portsmouth Daily Times |url=https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/features/33740/portsmouth-takes-world-record |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that year, Portsmouth beat [[Waukesha, Wisconsin]], the previous world record holder, for the most people simultaneously Christmas caroling, which now stands at 1,822 carolers. They also beat the previous record for most people wrapping Christmas presents simultaneously.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tavernise |first=Sabrina |date=2020-01-11 |title=This Town Is Known For Opioids: Can It Escape That Image? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/11/us/opioids-ohio-image.html |access-date=2022-07-25 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Greenlawn Cemetery, Civil War portion.jpg|thumb|Greenlawn Cemetery]]
Portsmouth has 14 parks for residents and community use. These include Alexandria Park (Ohio and Scioto River confluence), Bannon Park (near Farley Square), Branch Rickey Park (on Williams Street near levee), Buckeye Park (near Branch Rickey Park), Cyndee Secrest Park (Sciotoville), Dr. Hartlage Park (Rose Street in Sciotoville), Labold Park (near Spartan Stadium), Larry Hisle Park (23rd Street & Thomas Ave.), [[Portsmouth Earthworks|Mound Park]] (17th & Hutchins Streets), York Park (riverfront), Spartan Stadium, Tracy Park (Chillicothe & Gay Streets), and Weghorst Park (Fourth & Jefferson Streets).<ref name="Parks">{{cite news|title=Portsmouth Area Resource Guide 2007–2008|publisher=The Community Common|date=July 29, 2007|page=4}}</ref>

Portsmouth's Spock Community Dog Park, named after a K9 who died protecting his partner, is a recreational dog park implemented in 2019 that gives people a place to walk their dogs and have leisure time.<ref>Wkrc. “Portsmouth Gets New Dog Park Named after K9 Who Died Protecting Partner.” WKRC, WKRC, 9 Aug. 2019, local12.com/news/local/portsmouth-gets-new-dog-park-named-after-k9-who-died-protecting-partner.</ref>

A new skate-park, designed by Spohn Ranch Skateparks, is planned for construction in the near future.<ref>“Highly-Anticipated Portsmouth, Ohio Skatepark Prepares to Break Ground.” Highly-Anticipated Portsmouth, Ohio Skatepark Prepares to Break Ground | Spohn Ranch, www.spohnranch.com/highly-anticipated-portsmouth-ohio-skatepark-prepares-to-break-ground-2021-01-29/.</ref>

===Pools===
The McKinley Swimming Pool, on Findley Street, was built during the Civil Rights era in memory of Eugene McKinley, a 14-year-old who drowned. Portsmouth's other pool in the area (that has long since closed) was owned by the Terrace Club, and was commonly referred to as the "Dreamland Pool" by community members. The Terrace Club's pool was still segregated despite the progress of the Civil Rights movement, which influenced Portsmouth's institutional makeup, as well as protests across the nation. During the 1960s, Portsmouth made institutional changes to attempt to include the black community. With the pool's construction delayed and the African American community having nowhere to swim in the area, despite the Civil Rights Act's passage, a protest called the wade-in occurred at Dreamland Pool on July 17, 1964.<ref>Portsmouth Daily Times, Andrew Feight. “Eugene McKinley Memorial POOL &amp; the End of Jim Crow in PORTSMOUTH, OHIO.” Portsmouth Daily Times, 5 July 2020, www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/features/lifestyle/50584/eugene-mckinley-memorial-pool-the-end-of-jim-crow-in-portsmouth-ohio.</ref> The next summer, in 1965, the Board of Directors of the Terrace Club pool unanimously removed its ban on African Americans and reopened under the name Dreamland Pool. The McKinley Pool, which opened in 1966, still remains and represents Portsmouth's reform and the struggle against the laws of the Jim Crow Era.<ref>Andrew Feight, Ph.D., “Eugene McKinley Memorial Pool & the End of Jim Crow in Portsmouth, Ohio,” Scioto Historical, accessed September 10, 2021, https://sciotohistorical.org/items/show/117.</ref>

===Greenlawn Cemetery===
Greenlawn Cemetery, established in 1829, is 40 acres in size and is Portsmouth's only public cemetery. It incorporates several smaller cemeteries, including City, Evergreen, Hebrew, Holy Redeemer, Hill North (Methodist), Hill South (Robinson), Old Mausoleum, Soldiers Circle, and St. Marys. The cemetery is at Offnere Street and Grant Street. The city maintains it.

==Sports==
Portsmouth had a series of semi-pro [[American football|football]] teams in the 1920s and 1930s, the most notable being the Portsmouth Shoe-Steels, whose roster included [[player-coach]] [[Jim Thorpe]].

From 1929 to [[1933 Portsmouth Spartans season|1933]], the city was home to the [[Portsmouth Spartans]], which joined the [[National Football League]] (NFL) in [[1930 Portsmouth Spartans season|1930]]. Early in that season, the Spartans competed in the first professional football night game, shutting out the visiting [[1930 Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) season|<!--Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL)-->Brooklyn Dodgers]] 12–0 on September 24, {{nfly|1930}}.<ref name=brkgrdrs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XDVAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z1gMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3287%2C4679092 |work=Youngstown Daily Vindicator |location=(Ohio) |title=Brooklyn gridders lose to Portsmouth outfit |date=September 25, 1930 |page=20}}</ref><ref name="NFL">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=933|title=National Football League|access-date=2007-05-16|author=Ohio Historical Society}}</ref><ref name="Portsmouth Spartans">{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouthspartans.org|title=Portsmouth Spartans Historical Society|access-date=2007-05-16|author=Chris Murphy}}</ref> Despite their on-field success, being based in the NFL's second-smallest city during the [[Great Depression]] meant the team was in constant financial trouble. This forced the sale of the team and its relocation to Detroit in {{nfly|1934}}, where it became the [[1934 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]].

In the late 20th century, the Portsmouth Explorers were one of the original teams in the [[Frontier League]], a non-affiliated [[minor league baseball]] organization. The Explorers played in the league's first three seasons, from 1993 to 1995. In 1938, Portsmouth was also the home of the [[Portsmouth Red Birds]], a minor-league team owned by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].

In the late 1990s, Portsmouth was home to the Superstar Wrestling Federation before its demise. More recently [[Revolutionary Championship Wrestling]] has made its home in Portsmouth, airing on local TV station WQCW. Revolutionary Championship Wrestling in Portsmouth has featured such stars as [[Big Van Vader]], [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]], [[Bill Eadie|Demolition Ax]], [[Bobby Eaton|"Beautiful" Bobby Eaton]], [["Wildcat" Chris Harris]], and [[Ivan Koloff]].

==Government==
===City government===
[[File:Portsmouth, Ohio City Building.JPG|thumb|Portsmouth City Hall]]
The city charter was adopted on November 6, 1928. The city conducts business at City Hall, which was constructed in 1935. City council meetings are held in the second and fourth weeks of the month. The city reverted from being run by a city manager to a mayor in 1988, with the mayor elected every four years.

In 2012, voters approved returning to a [[Council–manager government|Council/City Manager]] form of government; this took effect in 2014. Under the City Manager/Council system, the mayor and vice-mayor are elected members of the city council who are appointed to their positions by the council. The city manager is hired by and reports directly to the council. The city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of city government and is the direct supervisor of all city department heads. There are six wards in the city, with elections of council members from the wards every two years.

The City Manager is Sam Sutherland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://portsmouthoh.org/departments/city-manager|title=City Manager|accessdate=August 6, 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ward !! City Council
|- style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left" bgcolor="#FEFEFE" |
| First Ward
|Sean Dunne 
|- style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left" bgcolor="#F6F6F6" |
| Second Ward
| Charlotte Gordon (Mayor, City Council President)
|- style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left" bgcolor="#FEFEFE" |
| Third Ward
| Andy Cole
|- style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left" bgcolor="#F6F6F6" |
| Fourth Ward
| Lyvette Barnes-Mosley (Vice Mayor, City Council Vice-President)
|- style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left" bgcolor="#FEFEFE" |
| Fifth Ward
| Joey Sandlin
|- style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left" bgcolor="#F6F6F6" |
| Sixth Ward
| Dennis Packard
|}<ref name="Election Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouthoh.org/about/city-council|title=About Us, City Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905031142/http://portsmouthoh.org/about/city-council|archive-date=2012-09-05|url-status=dead|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref>

===County government===
[[File:Scioto County Courthouse.JPG|thumb|right|Scioto County Courthouse]]
Portsmouth is the county seat of Scioto County. The Scioto County Courthouse is at the corner of Sixth and Court Streets and was constructed in 1936. The sheriff's office and county jail, once in the courthouse, are in a facility constructed in 2006 at the former site of the [[Norfolk and Western]] rail depot near [[U.S. Route 23|U.S. 23]].

The county commissioners are Scottie Powell, chairman; Bryan K. Davis; and Cathy E. Coleman. The county commissioners meet twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM in Room 107 on the first floor of the Scioto County Courthouse.

=== Response to the opioid epidemic ===
In the late 1990s, an [[Opioid epidemic in the United States|opioid epidemic]] of prescription drug abuse swept the region.<ref name="PLAINDEALER">{{cite news |author=Aaron Marshall |date=February 28, 2011 |title=Young lives wrecked by prescription drug epidemic in Southern Ohio |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/02/young_lives_wrecked_by_prescri.html |access-date=2011-04-12}}</ref> This caused an accelerated increase in social instability and crime.<ref>{{cite news |author=Aaron Marshall |date=February 26, 2011 |title=Prescription drug epidemic brings Southern Ohio county to its knees |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/02/prescription_drug_epidemic_bri.html |access-date=2011-04-13 |quote=Statistics as bleak as tombstones back up Roberts' apocalyptic talk: The county has seen a 360 percent increase in accidental drug-overdose deaths and has the highest hepatitis C rate in Ohio, a rate that has nearly quadrupled in the past five years}}</ref><ref name="DISPATCH">{{cite news |author=Holly Zachariah |date=February 7, 2010 |title=Illegal prescription-drug trade now epidemic |newspaper=[[The Columbus Dispatch]] |url=http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/07/OXYCONTIN.ART_ART_02-07-10_A1_HGGH7K4.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213122201/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/07/OXYCONTIN.ART_ART_02-07-10_A1_HGGH7K4.html |archive-date=February 13, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Randy Yohe |title=Violent Crime Wave Has Portsmouth Police Overwhelmed |publisher=[[WSAZ-TV]] |url=http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/PROOF_Violent_Crime_Wave_Has_Portsmouth_Police_Overwhelmed_114754339.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131225155/http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/PROOF_Violent_Crime_Wave_Has_Portsmouth_Police_Overwhelmed_114754339.html |archive-date=2011-01-31 |quote=A midday armed bank robbery in Portsmouth happened while we were covering at least two other felony investigations. A string of assaults and home invasions – and, what police say is a drug fueled double kidnapping.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Gary Cohen |date=February 4, 2001 |title=The "Poor Man's Heroin":An Ohio surgeon helps feed a growing addiction to OxyContin |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010212/archive_005430.htm |url-status=dead |magazine=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019192239/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010212/archive_005430.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=2011-04-12 |quote=Last year, about the time Lilly started his pain clinic, local police noticed that drug-related crimes in Portsmouth had started to rise. Burglaries alone had increased 20 percent from the year before. For a period of about three months, police records show, homes or pharmacies were being broken into and robbed of prescription drugs almost daily. A Scioto County sheriff's deputy was arrested for stealing painkillers; a man tried to rob a pharmacy of OxyContin; and home break-in reports show the only things stolen were cash and pills. At the same time, pharmacists were noticing scores of seemingly healthy young men coming in with prescriptions for OxyContin. |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Frank Lewis |date=February 1, 2011 |title=Horner talks about crime wave |newspaper=The Portsmouth Daily Times |url=http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/11194123/article-Horner-talks-about-crime-wave?instance=secondary_news_left_column |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929144958/http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/11194123/article-Horner-talks-about-crime-wave?instance=secondary_news_left_column |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> One of the most prevalent drugs was [[oxycodone]], a synthetic [[opiate]] known colloquially as ''oxy.''

In May 2011, the [[Ohio Senate]] and House unanimously passed a bill cracking down on [[pill mill]]s (signed into law by [[John Kasich]]) authored by Portsmouth's state representative [[Terry Johnson (Ohio politician)|Terry Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news |date=May 17, 2011 |title=Senate passes pain clinic legislation; Kasich could sign into law this week |newspaper=[[Portsmouth Daily Times]] |url=http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/13306953/article-Senate-passes-pain-clinic-legislation--Kasich-could-sign-into-law-this-week?instance=secondary_stories_left_column |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929145135/http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/13306953/article-Senate-passes-pain-clinic-legislation--Kasich-could-sign-into-law-this-week?instance=secondary_stories_left_column |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Frank Lewis |date=May 21, 2011 |title=Pill mill crackdown: Kasich signs House Bill 93 to regulate pain clinics |newspaper=[[Portsmouth Daily Times]] |url=http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/13354818/article-Pill-mill-crackdown--Kasich-signs-House-Bill-93-to-regulate-pain-clinics?instance=news_special_coverage_right_column |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929145247/http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/view/full_story/13354818/article-Pill-mill-crackdown--Kasich-signs-House-Bill-93-to-regulate-pain-clinics?instance=news_special_coverage_right_column |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] and state and local law enforcement agencies worked to identify and shut down a pharmacy and several doctors who had prescribed hundreds of thousands of opiates over a two-year period<ref name="WSAZ">{{cite news |date=May 17, 2011 |title=BREAKING NEWS: Federal Agents Search Wheelersburg Doctor's Office |publisher=[[WSAZ-TV]] |url=http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/BREAKING_NEWS_Federal_Agesnts_Serach_Wheelersburg_Doctors_Office_122004049.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520001522/http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/BREAKING_NEWS_Federal_Agesnts_Serach_Wheelersburg_Doctors_Office_122004049.html |archive-date=May 20, 2011}}</ref> by suspending their [[medical license|license to practice medicine]].

In a 2019 investigative story, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that [[fentanyl]] was replacing [[oxycodone]] as the preferred opioid.<ref>{{cite web |author=Editorial staff |date=2019-05-21 |title=What Are the Differences between Oxycodone and Fentanyl? |url=https://lagunatreatment.com/fentanyl-abuse/vs-oxycodone/ |access-date=2019-05-24 |work=Laguna Treatment Hospital}}</ref>

==Education==
===Postsecondary===
[[File:Massie Hall at Shawnee State University.jpg|thumb|Massie Hall, [[Shawnee State University]] campus]]
[[Shawnee State University]] is a [[public university]] and the southernmost member of the [[University System of Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/shawnee-state-university/|title=Explore Shawnee State University|website=Niche|date=15 May 2023 }}</ref> In 1945, [[Ohio University]] established an academic center in Portsmouth. In 1986, a legislative charter introduced by [[Vern Riffe]] to establish Shawnee State University was signed into law by Governor [[Richard Celeste]].<ref name="bigfuture">{{Cite web|url=https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/shawnee-state-university.|title=Big Future by the College Board|accessdate=August 6, 2023}}</ref> Shawnee State University offers associate's and bachelor's degrees in a variety of disciplines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/|title=BigFuture College Search &#124; College Board|website=BigFuture College Search}}</ref> Other majors are [[nursing]], [[Business Administration|business administration]], [[sociology]], [[biology]], and [[psychology]]. Seven master's degrees and a doctorate are also offered.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Degree Programs & Academics at Shawnee State University |url=https://www.shawnee.edu/areas-study |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=www.shawnee.edu}}</ref> SSU also has student and faculty exchange programs with several overseas institutions, including the [[Jaume I University]] in [[Spain]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.uji.es/www/ang/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050325092642/http://www.uji.es/www/ang/ |archive-date=2005-03-25 |access-date=2006-08-11}}</ref> [[Al Akhawayn University]] in [[Morocco]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to AUI web site |url=http://www.aui.ma/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060812045004/http://www.aui.ma/index.htm |archive-date=2006-08-12 |access-date=2006-08-11}}</ref> [[Zhejiang University of Technology]] in [[China]],<ref>{{cite web |title=English Version |url=http://www.zjut.edu.cn/xyw/EN/EN.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060812025842/http://www.zjut.edu.cn/xyw/EN/EN.htm |archive-date=2006-08-12 |access-date=2006-08-11}}</ref> and the [[Ludwigsburg University of Education]] in [[Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2021 |title=Partnerschaften |url=https://www.ph-ludwigsburg.de/9523+M52087573ab0.html}}</ref> SSU serves almost 3,000 matriculated undergraduates, as well as several hundred grad and post grad students.<ref name="bigfuture" />

Located in downtown Portsmouth, [[Shawnee State University|SSU]] has a 62-acre campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shawnee.edu/campus-life/accessibility-services|title=Accessibility Services & Support &#124; Shawnee State University|website=www.shawnee.edu}}</ref> Its 28 buildings<ref>[http://www.shawnee.edu/media/ssu-campus-map.pdf SSU Campus Map August 2018] shawnee.edu</ref> include the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Clyde W. Clark Planetarium, Morris University Center, and James A. Rhodes Athletic Center.<ref>[http://www.shawnee.edu/Campus-Buildings/ Modern Educational Facilities], Shawnee State University.</ref> The university's library<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldcat.org/libraries/2331|title=Shawnee State University &#124; WorldCat.org|website=www.worldcat.org}}</ref> was named the Clark Memorial Library in 1997.<ref name="About">[https://shawneesu.libguides.com/staff/Clark About the Library], Clark Memorial Library.</ref> Clark Planetarium features the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] Viewspace system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cappex.com/colleges/shawnee-state-university|title=Shawnee State University &#124; Cappex|website=www.cappex.com}}</ref> The university has on-campus housing<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.shawnee.edu/campus-life/housing-residence-life|title=Housing Resources and Information &#124; Shawnee State University|website=www.shawnee.edu}}</ref> for 934 students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/205443/shawnee-state-university/|title=Shawnee State University - Portsmouth, OH|website=College Tuition Compare}}</ref> All first-year students must live in university housing unless they are married, veterans, over age 23, or living with their parents.<ref name="auto"/>

The Shawnee State "Bears" are part of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA), competing in the [[Mid-South Conference]] (MSC) since the 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY :: Athletics |url=http://www.shawnee.edu/off/athl/index%20athletic%20news.html |url-status=dead |accessdate=2010-08-12 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527103851/http://www.shawnee.edu/off/athl/index%20athletic%20news.html |archivedate=2010-05-27}}</ref> The Bears compete in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports, including baseball, basketball, [[Cross country running|cross country]], [[golf]], soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. In 2021, the men's basketball team defeated [[Lewis–Clark State College|Lewis–Clark State]] to become [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] national champions.

Clubs on campus include the Art Club, Chemistry Club, Fantanime, Geology Club, History Club, International Game Developer's Association (IGDA), Political Science Club, Pre-Med Club, Sexuality and Gender Acceptance (SAGA),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clubs and Organizations |url=http://www.shawnee.edu/leadership/student-government-association/clubs.aspx |access-date=2019-01-26 |publisher=Shawnee State University}}</ref> and an international group, the Other World Society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Other World Society |url=http://www.otherworldsociety.org/ |access-date=2019-01-26 |publisher=Other World Society |language=en}}</ref> Since 2008, except during the [[COVID-19]] lockdown, the Zombie Education Defense club has hosted a semi-annual, campus-wide, week-long game of nerf tag, the [[Humans vs. Zombies]] event.

===Primary and secondary===
[[File:PHS SportComplex Murals HRoe 03.JPG|thumb|Clark Athletic Complex]]
Portsmouth has one public and two private school systems (the Notre Dame schools and the Portsmouth STEM Academy). The [[Portsmouth High School (Ohio)|Portsmouth City School District]] has served the city since its founding in the 1830s and is the city's public school. Portsmouth City School District has a storied basketball tradition, winning four [[Ohio High School Athletic Association|OSHAA]] state basketball championships in 1931, 1961, 1978, and 1988.<ref name="OHSAA">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohsaa.org|title=Ohio High School Athletic Association|access-date=2007-05-17|author=Ohio High School Athletic Association}}</ref> The Trojan basketball team has made 14 final four appearances, in 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1931 (1st), 1934 (2nd), 1939, 1941, 1961 (1st), 1978 (1st), 1980 (2nd), 1988 (1st), 1990 (2nd),<ref>OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site</ref> and 2012 (2nd). The Trojan football team has also produced some notable teams, with an Associated Press Division 3 State Championship in 2000, a regional title, and state semifinal appearance in 2000, and finishing as regional runner-up in 2001 and 2002. The Trojans football team has sent five teams to the post-season since 2000, as of the start of the 2009 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joeeitel.com/ |title=Home |website=joeeitel.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.OHSAA.org/ |title=Home |website=OHSAA.org}}</ref>

In 2000, Portsmouth voters passed a school bond issue to help construct new schools for the district. The new schools opened for the 2006–07 school year. These schools won the Grand Prize from School Planning & Management's 2007 Education Design Showcase. The award is awarded annually to the K-12 school that displays "excellence in design and functional planning directed toward meeting the needs of the educational program."<ref name="Factors">{{cite web|url=http://www.communitycommon.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=111445&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1|publisher=The Community Common(communitycommon.com)|title=Multiple Factors Cited by Jurors|access-date=2007-07-13|date=July 11, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Design Award">{{cite web|url=http://www.communitycommon.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=111444&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1|title=City School Earn Top Design Award|access-date=2007-07-13|date=July 11, 2007|publisher=The Community Common(communitycommon.com)}}</ref> In addition, the school system plans to build a new $10 million athletic complex.<ref name="athletic complex">{{cite web|url=http://www.communitycommon.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=111453&TM=66537.55|title=City Schools Facility Awaits Council|author=Wayne Allen|publisher=The Community Common(communitycommon.com)|access-date=2007-07-13|date=July 13, 2007}}</ref> Portsmouth High School has an award-winning Interactive Media program that has won multiple awards for both video and graphic design. The class is under the direction of Chris Cole and the students run the local cable station TNN CH25.

In 2009, the school system completed construction on a new $10 million athletic complex. The {{convert|25|acre|ha|adj=on}} Clark Athletic Complex<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=64197|title=High School Hoimetown-Portsmouth celebrating new stadium WOWK tv|access-date=2010-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726080617/http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=64197|archive-date=2011-07-26|url-status=dead}}</ref> has a new football field, baseball field, softball field, tennis courts, and track.<ref name="athletic complex"/> The complex is named for Clyde and Maycel Clark of the Clark Foundation, major financial contributors for the construction of the facility.<ref>{{Cite news|title=PHS names complex|date=July 15, 2009|author=Ryan Scott Ottney|work=Portsmouth Daily Times}}</ref> The complex, on the site of the former high school building and across the street from the current high school, has three paintings by muralist [[Herb Roe]], a 1992 Portsmouth High School alumnus.<ref>{{Cite news|title=A Pictures Worth|date=June 25, 2009|author=Ryan Scott Ottney|work=Portsmouth Daily Times}}</ref> The murals depict three of the sports played at the new facility: baseball, tennis, and football.

[[File:PortsmouthNotreDameHS.jpg|thumb|Portsmouth [[Notre Dame High School (Portsmouth, Ohio)|Notre Dame High School]]]]
[[Notre Dame High School (Portsmouth, Ohio)|Notre Dame High School]], formerly Portsmouth Central Catholic High School, has served the city's [[Roman Catholic]]s and others since 1852. It is also notable for its football team, founded in 1929. It won two state championships, in 1967 and 1970.<ref name="OHSAA"/>

==Media==
Portsmouth is near the dividing line for several television markets, including [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Cincinnati]], and [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington]]-[[Charleston, West Virginia|Charleston]]. There are two local television stations, [[WTZP-LD]], an [[America One]] affiliate, and [[WQCW]], a [[The CW Television Network|CW]] affiliate. Until October 2017, Portsmouth was served by [[WPBO (TV)|WPBO]], a [[PBS]] affiliate. Programs aired on WPBO were broadcast by [[WOSU-TV|WOSU]] in [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]. Local radio stations [[WIOI (AM)|WIOI]], [[WKSG (FM)|WKSG]], [[WNXT (AM)|WNXT]], [[WPYK]], [[WZZZ]], and [[WOSP-FM]] serve the city.

Portsmouth is also served by three newspapers. The ''[[Portsmouth Daily Times]]'' is the city's only daily newspaper.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/|title=Home|website=Portsmouth Daily Times}}</ref> ''The Community Common'' is a free biweekly newspaper<ref name="auto1"/> and the ''Scioto Voice'' is a weekly newspaper mailed to subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesciotovoice.com/|title=Home|website=The Scioto Voice}}</ref> The ''University Chronicle'' is the student-led newspaper at Shawnee State University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ssuchronicle.com/|title=Suspended Domain|website=www.ssuchronicle.com}}</ref>

{{Further|WHRR}}

==Transportation==
[[File:U.S. Grant bridge over Ohio River.jpg|thumb|The [[U.S. Grant Bridge]] crossing the Ohio River from Portsmouth to [[Greenup County, Kentucky]].]]

===Highways===
Portsmouth is served by two major U.S. Routes: [[U.S. Route 23|23]] and [[U.S. Route 52|52]]. Other significant roads include Ohio State Routes [[Ohio State Route 73|73]], [[Ohio State Route 104|104]],
[[Ohio State Route 139|139]], [[Ohio State Route 140|140]], and [[Ohio State Route 335|335]]. The nearest Interstate highway is [[Interstate 64|I-64]]. [[Interstate 73 in Ohio|Interstate 73]] is planned to use the newly built Portsmouth bypass (i.e., [[Ohio State Route 823]]) en route from North Carolina To Michigan. [[Interstate 74 in Ohio|The I-74]] Extension is planned to use US 52 through Portsmouth, running concurrently with I-73 on the eastern side of Portsmouth.

===Rail===
{{See also|South Portsmouth-South Shore (Amtrak station)}}
Portsmouth is an important location in the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] network. Norfolk Southern operates a railyard and locomotive maintenance facility for its long-distance shipping route between the [[coalfields]] of [[West Virginia]] and points east, to the [[Great Lakes]]. Competitor [[CSX Transportation]] operates a former [[Chesapeake & Ohio Railway]] line just east of the city in [[Sciotoville, Ohio|Sciotoville]], which crosses the [[Ohio River]] on the historic [[Sciotoville Bridge]]. [[Amtrak]] offers passenger service to the Portsmouth area on its ''[[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]]'' route between New York City and Chicago. The [[South Portsmouth-South Shore (Amtrak station)|passenger station]] is on CSX Transportation-owned track in [[South Shore, Kentucky]], across the [[Ohio River]] from Portsmouth.

===Air===
Portsmouth is served by the [[Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport]] (PMH), a general aviation airport. The airport is in [[Minford, Ohio]], about {{convert|12|mi|km}} northeast of the city. The nearest commercial airport is [[Tri-State Airport]] (HTS) in [[Ceredo, West Virginia]], about {{convert|3|mi|km}} outside [[Huntington, West Virginia]], and {{convert|53|mi|km}} southeast of Portsmouth.

===Public transportation===
Public transportation for Portsmouth and its outlying areas is offered through Access Scioto County (ASC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asctransit.org/|title=ASC Public Transit|website=www.asctransit.org}}</ref>

==Notable people==
<!--Please keep list alphabetized when editing.-->
{{div col}}
* [[James Mitchell Ashley]] - drafter of the [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution]]
* [[Dale Bandy]] – [[Ohio University]] basketball coach
* [[Henry T. Bannon]] - U.S. representative from Portsmouth (1901–1905), attorney, author, and historian
* [[Kathleen Battle]] – opera singer
* [[Al Bridwell]] – former [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Gerald Cadogan]] – former Professional Football player
* [[Earl Thomas Conley]] – [[country music]] singer and songwriter
* [[Emma M. Cramer]] – member of the Ohio House of Representatives
* [[Mary A. G. Dight]] – physician
* [[Martin Dillon (musician)|Martin Dillon]] – musician and [[operatic]] [[tenor]]
* [[Bil Dwyer (cartoonist)|Bil Dwyer]] – cartoonist (''[[Dumb Dora]]'') and humorist
* [[Chuck Ealey]] – former [[American football|football]] player for [[University of Toledo]], and others
* [[Steve Free]] – ASCAP Award-winning Appalachian musician
* [[Bill Harsha]] – Ohio politician for the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of
Representatives]] (1961–1981)
* [[Larry Hisle]] – former Major League Baseball player, currently employed with [[Milwaukee Brewers]] Organization
* [[Wells A. Hutchins]] - U.S. representative from Portsmouth (1883–1885), attorney
* [[Elza Jeffords]] – U.S. representative from Mississippi (1883–1885)
* [[Liza Johnson]] - film director
* [[Chase Wilmot Kennedy]], U.S. Army major general<ref name="khaki">{{cite book |last1=Davis |first1=Henry Blaine Jr. |title=Generals in Khaki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fJvvAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Pentland Press |location=Raleigh, NC |year=1998 |pages=210 |isbn=978-1-5719-7088-6 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
* [[Charles Kinney|Charles Kinney, Jr.]] - Ohio Secretary of State (1897–1901)
* [[Raphael Lasker]] – rabbi
* [[Cheryl L. Mason]] — Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, US Department of Veterans' Affairs
* [[Serena B. Miller]] - author
* [[Jeff Munn]] – Vice President of operations for [[Harlem Globetrotters]]
* [[Rocky Nelson]] – former Major League Baseball player
* [[Josh Newman (baseball)|Josh Newman]] – Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Al Oliver]] – former Major League Baseball player
* [[Wally Phillips]] – longtime Chicago radio personality
* [[Max Raisin]] – rabbi
* [[Del Rice]] - former Major League Baseball player
* [[Branch Rickey]] – baseball executive, signed [[Jackie Robinson]] to the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]]
* [[Barbara Robinson (author)|Barbara Robinson]] – author
* [[Herb Roe]] – mural artist
* [[Roy Rogers]] – singer and [[cowboy]] movie star
* [[Cheryl Shuman]] – [[Media Personality]] strategic political and media strategist 
* [[Stuff Smith]] – [[jazz]] musician
* [[Adam Stevens (NASCAR)|Adam Stevens]] - 2 time champion crew chief with [[Kyle Busch]] in the [[NASCAR Cup Series]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/08/07/nascar-feature-08-07.html|title=Portsmouth native helps Kyle Busch put together magical run|last=Znidar|first=Mark|date=August 7, 2015|work=[[The Columbus Dispatch]]|access-date=2015-12-16|location=Columbus, OH}}</ref>
* [[Ted Strickland]] – former [[Governor of Ohio|Ohio governor]]
* [[Gene Tenace]] – former Major League Baseball player
{{div col end}}
<!--Please keep list alphabetized when editing.-->

==Sister cities==
{{SisterCities|Portsmouth|three}}
{|
| valign="top" |
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} – [[Great Corby]], England, United Kingdom
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} – [[Orizaba]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|Germany}} – [[Zittau]], [[Sachsen]], Germany
|}

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Ann Hagedorn, ''Beyond the River The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad'' (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002).

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{EB1911 poster|Portsmouth (Ohio)|Portsmouth, Ohio}}
* [https://portsmouthoh.org/ Official website]

{{Scioto County, Ohio}}
{{Ohio county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Portsmouth, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Scioto County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1803]]
[[Category:1803 establishments in Ohio]]