A small town in Ohio with an abundance of outdoor activities
Portsmouth is a small city of about 18,000 people in southern Ohio. Located along the Ohio and Scioto rivers, many residents move here for the area's abundant outdoor activities and for its proximity to the Shawnee State Forest. Major employers include the Southern Ohio Medical Center, Shawnee State University and several substance abuse rehabilitation centers that have opened following the city's opioid crisis in the early 2000s. "It's a small-town community with all of the necessities you need from a big city. We have a hospital, a university and lots of outdoor recreation activities," says Jason Hedrick, Deputy Chief of the Portsmouth Police Department. "Housing costs attract people, as well as job opportunities. The housing is much more reasonable in our area compared to going an hour in any direction. That attracts people to our area, [and] that the cost of living is so much lower than elsewhere."
Portsmouth is a small city of about 18,000 people in southern Ohio along the Ohio River.
Portsmouth has abundant outdoor activities to explore with a friend.
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Historic housing in Portsmouth
Portsmouth has an older housing stock comprised primarily of American Foursquares, bungalows and ranch-style homes. "We don't see a lot of single-family houses being built within the city," Hedrick says. "There's not a lot of vacant areas, but we do have some older houses that people rehab." Portsmouth's median price is $127,000, which is about $275,000 below the national median. Despite this, the average home value in Portsmouth has steadily increased since 2020.
Portsmouth has plenty older housing including American Foursquares, bungalows, and ranches.
Portsmouth has homes that date back to the early 20th century such as this victorian home.
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The Ohio River and the Shawnee State Forest
Portsmouth sits along the Ohio River and borders the Shawnee State Forest, which means the area offers an abundance of outdoor activities. Along the river, residents can enjoy fishing, hiking, archery and horseback riding. The state forest also presents opportunities for camping, hunting and foraging for mushrooms or berries.
Portsmouth is near Shawnee State Forest which offers an abundance of outdoor activities.
The U.S Grant Bridge connects Portsmouth to Kentucky over the Ohio River.
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Portsmouth City School District, the Notre Dame Schools and Shawnee State University
The Portsmouth City School District earns a C-plus rating from Niche and serves around 1,600 students. The district has two elementary schools and one combination middle and high school for grades seven through twelve. The Notre Dame School is a private school option in Portsmouth with preschool, elementary and high school campuses. The high school earns a B rating from Niche and is ranked by the site as one of Ohio's top 150 private high schools. Shawnee State University is a public university that enrolls about 3,000 students in Portsmouth annually.
Shawnee State University enrolls about 3,000 students in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth is home to Shawnee State University which is known for their nursing program.
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Dining in downtown Portsmouth
"Downtown is mostly restaurants and some retirement homes and grocery stores," Hedrick says. "There's been a lot of development in the downtown area. New restaurants are opening up in older buildings, and the university took an old building and rehabbed it into an innovation hub where they're bringing in gaming manufacturers." Dining options in downtown Portsmouth include The Scioto Ribber, known for its hickory-smoked ribs; Toro Loco Mexican Restaurant, a family-owned business featuring homemade tamales; and The Portsmouth Brewing Co., a riverside microbrewery serving American fare.
The Scioto Ribber, known for its hickory-smoked ribs, is highly regarded in Portsmouth.
The Portsmouth Brewing Co. is a popular microbrewery serving American fare in Portsmouth.
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The Portsmouth Police Department and flooding concerns
When asked about crime, Hedrick explains, "We're the epicenter of the pill mill explosion that happened 20 years ago. Oxycodone was inserted in our area, and kind of exploded. We've been through a lot of drug use and crime related to drug addiction. In recent years, there's been a lot of funding towards treatment centers, and there's been a dramatic increase in treatment centers in our area. It's very good for employment, but unfortunately, we do still have high drug availability in our area." FBI data shows that the Portsmouth Police Department's property crime rate has decreased since 2020, while its violent crime rate has remained about the same. Hedrick says that the city's greatest weather concern is flooding because of its location where the Ohio and Scioto rivers meet. "The river does come up, and every five years or so, they'll have to close the floodgates, and that limits access to certain areas of the city," he says. "Countywide, we have several floods a year that cause damage."
Access Scioto County, Amtrak's Cardinal route and the Tri-State Airport in Ceredo, WV
U.S. Routes 23 and 52 serve Portsmouth. Access Scioto County provides door-to-door transit services for Scioto County. Amtrak has a station 3 miles south in South Shore, Kentucky, serviced by its Cardinal route, which connects New York City to Chicago. Portsmouth's nearest commercial airport is the Tri-State Airport in Ceredo, West Virginia, 53 miles southeast.
River Days Festival
River Days is a festival that has been held every Labor Day weekend in Portsmouth for over 60 years. The event includes a pageant, parade, food trucks and carnival games, along with plenty of live music.
Written By
Ellen Daly
Photography Contributed By
Nick Janning
Video By
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Portsmouth, OH sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Portsmouth, OH over the last 12 months is $116,600, up 54% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming ranch-style home offering comfortable one-level living! This 3-bedroom, 2 full bath home features a spacious eat-in kitchen perfect for casual dining and gathering, with a convenient laundry room located just off the kitchen for added functionality. Enjoy relaxing mornings on the covered front porch or unwind in the cozy backyard featuring a private deck—ideal for entertaining, grilling,
This move-in ready 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch offering 1,456 square feet of comfortable, single-level living in the desirable Minford School District checks all the boxes! This home features a functional layout with two spacious living areas, providing plenty of room for relaxing, entertaining, working out, or for a man cave. Hardwood flooring adds warmth and character, while recent updates,
Situated on 2 lots, this beautiful home features 4 BR's, 4 baths, beautiful new kitchen w/appliances, dining rm., living rm., family rm. w/fireplace, wonderful full basement w/11 ft. ceilings and a 2 car garage. All the following are newer: Flooring, toilets, vanities, lighting throughout, inside home has been completely repainted, new composite decking, concreted driveway and sidewalks have been
Well maintained ranch style home with a large living room, dinning room, 2 bedrooms and first floor laundry room. Vinyl siding, 2 car carport, patio, storage shed and fenced backyard.
New listing! This rare 237+ acre hunter’s paradise in Scioto County near Portsmouth, Ohio offers an exceptional opportunity to own a large, secluded tract of land situated at the end of a road for ultimate privacy. The property features a 24x40 block garage with a concrete floor and drain, and has been select-cut in recent years, leaving an extensive trail system that provides easy access while
This well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Portsmouth, Ohio offers an ideal combination of space, comfort, and opportunity. Built with durable brick on all four sides, the property provides timeless curb appeal along with low-maintenance living for years to come. Step inside to discover a bright and spacious living room, perfect for relaxing or hosting gatherings. The separate dining room
Escape to your own private Sanctuary! This charming 2 bedroom 1 bath home is nestled on 7 acres of mostly wooded land. Home features updated kitchen and bath, an attached garage a detached garage/building. partially fenced in yard, and much more.
MOVE-IN READY, ranch-style house minutes from OH-823, OH-52, OH-140. Located in Wheelersburg School District, this home is situated just minutes from a multitude of convenient amenities. The property includes 1.3+/- acres with a large yard. There are several storage opportunities with an outdoor shed, 1 car garage with shelves on each side, a utility room in the back of the garage and a lofted
Welcome home to this nice ranch perfectly situated on a large, level corner lot. This well-maintained property offers easy one-level living with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. Step inside to find 3 comfortable bedrooms, a bright and inviting living area, and nice appliances in the kitchen that make meal prep a breeze. The layout is both practical and welcoming, ideal for everyday living. A
Great opportunity with plenty of potential! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home features hardwood floors, a covered front porch, and a functional layout. Step through the front door into the main living room, leading into a second living area that offers flexible space for a variety of uses, including a second living room, office, or potential third bedroom. The kitchen offers a functional layout with
Well-maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offering approximately 1,166 square feet of living space in Portsmouth, Ohio. Situated on a spacious lot with convenient access to US-23 and nearby amenities. Built in 1979, this property features a functional layout with a comfortable living area and kitchen. Refrigerator, range, washer, and dryer convey with the sale. Recent updates include sump pump
Property Id: 2424997This property was renovated early 2025. It has central heating and air conditioning, new plank flooring, new carpet, updated kitchen, updated bathrooms, new lighting fixtures, three car garage, back yard, storage in the attic & basement, new kitchen appliances, updated fireplace, 4 large bedrooms, spacious kitchen complete with a laundry room, garage, driveway and
Property Id: 2416914Welcome to this beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in the heart of Portsmouth—designed for comfortable, everyday living.This home has been recently refreshed and professionally cleaned, offering a bright, welcoming space you’ll be proud to call home.What you’ll love:* Spacious, open living areas with modern plank flooring* Updated
Only steps away from Shawnee State University. You do not have to be a SSU student. Large 4 bedroom 1 1/2 bathroom apartments perfect for college students.
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