Portsmouth city Health Data
Portsmouth city, Virginia
Health Score
39/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
70.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.0%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
70.5 yr
State avg 75.1 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.0%
State avg 7.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
60
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
348
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Portsmouth city, Virginia
Portsmouth lags on life expectancy
At 70.5 years, Portsmouth's life expectancy falls 5.3 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, signaling serious health challenges in the city. Nearly one in five residents (21.1%) report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17.3%, indicating widespread health struggles.
Lowest life expectancy in Virginia
Portsmouth ranks last among Virginia counties and cities, with a life expectancy 4.6 years below the state average of 75.1 years. The city's 21.1% poor/fair health rate far exceeds Virginia's average, placing it among the state's most health-challenged communities.
Neighboring cities show better outcomes
Radford (74.8 years) and Roanoke region counties significantly outpace Portsmouth despite similar urban challenges. Portsmouth's life expectancy gap widens further when compared to rural Virginia counties like Powhatan (77.9 years) and Prince George (78.9 years).
Mental health providers abundant, primary care scarce
Portsmouth has strong mental health support with 348 providers per 100,000 residents—well above the state norm—but only 60 primary care providers per 100,000. With a 7.0% uninsured rate, residents have better insurance coverage than the state average of 7.9%, yet access to routine care remains constrained.
Check your coverage options today
Even with above-average insurance rates, gaps remain that could worsen health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to ensure you have comprehensive coverage and understand your preventive care benefits.
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.