Portsmouth city
VA · Pop. 97,299 · Urban County
Portsmouth city sits in Virginia across 33 square miles, home to 97,299 people at 2948.5 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The median home price is $229,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.07%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F and average winter lows of 34°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.8 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 263-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 1.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 50.8 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- At 2948.5 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Portsmouth city, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $229k
- Property tax
- 1.07%
- Growing season
- 263 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.8"
- Broadband
- 97.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, 1.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Portsmouth city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Portsmouth city?
- Portsmouth city is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 86.8°F, and average winter lows of 34°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $229,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.07%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center is 1.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Portsmouth city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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