Portsmouth city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Crisis · 81.9 | 96,793 people · 3rd most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Portsmouth city, VA ranks among the most financially distressed counties in America with a score of 81.9 — 45th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 3rd of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Portsmouth city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 95.8 — worse than roughly 96% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 95.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 97
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 95
Legal Distress 94.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 95
Consumer Credit Distress 78.3
Debt in Collections 91
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 87
Credit Card Delinquency 97
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 94
Structural Poverty 72.3
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 81
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 80
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Economic Vitality 70.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 99
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 48

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Portsmouth city
Portsmouth city, VA 81.9 Crisis —
Norfolk city, VA 77.3 Serious -4.6
Hampton city, VA 77.1 Serious -4.8
Newport News city, VA 75.3 Serious -6.6
Suffolk city, VA 63.4 Elevated -18.4
Chesapeake city, VA 56.5 Elevated -25.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Portsmouth city
Muscogee County, GA 82.1 Crisis +0.2
Troup County, GA 82.3 Crisis +0.4
Caddo Parish, LA 82.7 Crisis +0.8
Newton County, GA 82.7 Crisis +0.8
Starr County, TX 80.3 Crisis -1.6

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Portsmouth city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Portsmouth city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Portsmouth city.

VIRGINIA HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP
Portsmouth
757-800-1647 Website
Pre-PurchaseHomebuyer EducationRental Help

See all counselors in Virginia →

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Portsmouth city residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Portsmouth city, Virginia?

    Portsmouth city has a County Distress Index score of 81.9 out of 100, placing it in the Crisis zone. It ranks 45th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Portsmouth city?

    The primary driver of distress in Portsmouth city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 95.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Portsmouth city compare to neighboring counties?

    Portsmouth city (81.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Norfolk city, VA (77.3); Hampton city, VA (77.1); Newport News city, VA (75.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Crisis zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Portsmouth city's score of 81.9 sits in the Crisis zone (86 and above).

  • What data sources power Portsmouth city's CDI score?

    Portsmouth city's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Portsmouth city?

    Portsmouth city, Virginia has a population of approximately 96,793 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.