Portsmouth

Key figures

16 of 16 measures have a published figure for Portsmouth. Each figure is the publisher’s own, for the period named beside it.

Why the population is changing

The ONS breaks the year’s population change into its components (Year to mid-2025). These are its published figures for Portsmouth, not our estimates.

• 2,079 births and 1,844 deaths: natural change added 235 people.
• Moves within the UK (net) reduced the population by 3,234.
• International migration (net) added 1,644 people.
• The ONS’s balancing item (“Other”, mainly armed forces and prisoner adjustments) reduced the figure by 106.
• Altogether the population fell by 1,461 over the year (the sum of the components above — our addition of the ONS’s published figures).

Each component is a series in its own right: births, deaths, moves within the UK and international migration.

Population change, year by year

The same decomposition for every published year in Portsmouth: births and deaths, net moves within the UK, net international migration, and the ONS’s balancing item.

Years to mid-2024 are the ONS’s rebased back series, made consistent with Census 2021 — its figures deliberately differ from the estimates published at the time. Every cell is a published figure; the total is the sum of net moves, natural change and other, which is our addition. A dash is a year the source does not publish for this area, never a zero.

Rates per 1,000 residents

The same population flows, adjusted for Portsmouth’s size, so they can be compared with any other area’s: each year’s flow divided by the population that mid-year, times 1,000.

A Civometry calculation, not a published figure: ONS publishes these flows and the population, but not the rates. Net rates are signed — below zero means more left than arrived. Rates are crude, not age-standardised, so areas with very different age structures still differ for reasons size cannot remove. Each link shows the full recipe and every year.

Pay against housing costs

How pay in Portsmouth moved over its latest published year, beside how the cost of buying and renting moved over theirs. The three series come from different publishers on different timetables, so each row covers its own year, named in the row.

Pay rose faster than both the house price and the rent over these periods.

Levels are the publishers’ own (ONS ASHE median annual pay for full-time employees living in the area; HM Land Registry UK House Price Index; ONS Price Index of Private Rents). The percentage changes are Civometry arithmetic on the two published values in each row. Pay is a survey of employees and says nothing about a particular household; one year is weather, not climate.

Who runs the council

Liberal Democrat (2026) — Liberal Democrat 22, Reform UK 12, Labour 4, Conservative 3, Other and independent 1 of 42 seats.

Since 2016: Conservative (largest party, no overall majority) (2016–2018); Liberal Democrat (largest party, no overall majority) (2019–2020); Conservative (largest party, no overall majority) (2021); Liberal Democrat (largest party, no overall majority) (2022–2024); Liberal Democrat minority administration (2025); Liberal Democrat (2026)

Not an official statistic. Compiled by Open Council Data UK, an independent project, not by any government department: no official body publishes council political control. Councils are matched to GSS codes by name here; county councils and districts abolished before the current boundaries are not included. This is the one dataset on the site that is not read from an official publication, and every page that shows it says so. Source: Open Council Data UK (CC0).

Between the censuses

How Portsmouth’s religion, ethnic-group and country-of-birth make-up changed between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, category by category. The two censuses compared.

Crime

26,542 recorded offences in the 12 months to June 2026, 125.5 per 1,000 residents. Full crime profile, by category and month.

Published for this area

• Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence2025 · up 2.6% on a year earlier · ONS, published 23 October 2025£36,022
• Births by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20262,079people
• Census 2011 country of birthCensus 2011 · ONS, published 30 January 2013205,056people
• Census 2021 country of birthCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 November 2022208,003people
• Census 2011 ethnic group (detailed)Census 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026205,056people
• Census 2021 ethnic group (detailed)Census 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026208,001people
• Census 2011 ethnic group (five broad groups)Census 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026205,056people
• Census 2021 ethnic group (five broad groups)Census 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026208,001people
• Census 2021 ethnic group by age bandCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026208,003people
• Census 2011 usual residentsCensus 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026205,056people
• Census 2021 usual residentsCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026208,003people
• Census 2011 religionCensus 2011 · ONS, published 2 September 2026205,056people
• Census 2021 religionCensus 2021 · ONS, published 2 September 2026208,004people
• People claiming unemployment-related benefitsJuly 2026 · down 1.6% on a year earlier · ONS, published 18 August 20266,400people
• Claimants as a proportion of residents aged 16 to 64July 2026 · down 0.1 points on a year earlier · ONS, published 18 August 20264.4%
• Band D council tax by billing authorityYear ending March 2027 · up 5.1% on a year earlier · MHCLG, published 25 March 2026£2,292
• Deaths by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20261,844people
• Mean domestic electricity consumption per meter2024 · DESNZ, published 18 December 20252,995kWh a year
• Employment deprivation rate2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202514%
• Mean domestic gas consumption per meter2024 · DESNZ, published 5 May 20269,443kWh a year
• House price annual changeJune 2026 · down 1.9 points on a year earlier · HM Land Registry, published 20 August 20260.1%
• Average house priceJune 2026 · up 0.1% on a year earlier · HM Land Registry, published 20 August 2026£250,999
• Deprivation: IMD average score2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202526.4
• Deprivation: share of small areas in England's most deprived tenth2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202512%
• Income deprivation rate2025 · MHCLG, published 17 November 202525.9%
• Net internal migration by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026-3,234people
• International migration into a local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20264,582people
• Net international migration by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20261,644people
• International migration out of a local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 20262,938people
• Births minus deaths by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026235people
• Other population change by local authorityYear to mid-2025 · ONS, published 29 July 2026-106people
• Population by local authorityMid-2024 · up 0.2% on a year earlier · ONS, published 26 September 2025214,321people
• Private rent annual changeJuly 2026 · down 0.0 points on a year earlier · ONS, published 19 August 20262.2%
• Average private rent a monthJuly 2026 · up 2.1% on a year earlier · ONS, published 19 August 2026£1,367
• Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence2025 · up 1.6% on a year earlier · ONS, published 23 October 2025£701

National figures that apply here

These are not measured for Portsmouth; they are the figure for the nation or the UK, shown because they apply to everyone in it.

• Average Band D council tax (England average)Year ending March 2027 · up 4.9%£2,392
• Unemployment rate (UK)2026 Q2 · up 0.2 points4.9%
• Universal Credit caseload (Great Britain)Year ending March 2025 · up 16.3%5,473,000households
• Persistent absence (England)2024/25 academic year · down 1.8 points18.1%
• Average annual electricity bill (UK)2025 · down 1.3%£1,069

Then and now

The first and last years published for Portsmouth, and the difference between the two. Both figures are published for this area; the difference is those two numbers subtracted, which you can check by hand.

• £1,733Year ending March 2021→£2,292Year ending March 2027

  Band D council tax by billing authority

  In Portsmouth, band D council tax by billing authority rose from £1,733 in the year ending March 2021 to £2,292 in the year ending March 2027, a change of £559 or 32.2%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (MHCLG).

  How this figure was worked out

  £2,292 in the year ending March 2027 − £1,733 in the year ending March 2021 = £559, which is 32.2% of the figure for the year ending March 2021.

  The two ends are rounded for display. The published figures are 2,291.71 and 1,732.92, and 2,291.71 − 1,732.92 = 558.79.

  7 published years spanning 6 years, from MHCLG. Years before the current series come from Band D council tax by billing authority, 2020-21 to 2024-25, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Portsmouth, band D council tax by billing authority rose from £1,733 in the year ending March 2021 to £2,292 in the year ending March 2027, a change of £559 or 32.2%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (MHCLG).

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• £22,2712008→£36,0222025

  Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence

  In Portsmouth, median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £22,271 in 2008 to £36,022 in 2025, a change of £13,751 or 61.7%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  £36,022 in 2025 − £22,271 in 2008 = £13,751, which is 61.7% of the figure for 2008.

  18 published years spanning 17 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence, 2002 to 2023, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Portsmouth, median annual pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £22,271 in 2008 to £36,022 in 2025, a change of £13,751 or 61.7%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

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• £4322008→£7012025

  Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence

  In Portsmouth, median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £432 in 2008 to £701 in 2025, a change of £269 or 62.2%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  £701 in 2025 − £432 in 2008 = £269, which is 62.2% of the figure for 2008.

  The two ends are rounded for display. The published figures are 701.10 and 432.20, and 701.10 − 432.20 = 268.90.

  18 published years spanning 17 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence, 2002 to 2023, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure. Cash terms: these are the amounts as published, not adjusted for inflation.

  In Portsmouth, median weekly pay, full-time employees, by area of residence rose from £432 in 2008 to £701 in 2025, a change of £269 or 62.2%, in cash terms, not adjusted for inflation (ONS).

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• -1,301Year to mid-2012→-3,234Year to mid-2025

  Net internal migration by local authority

  In Portsmouth, net internal migration by local authority fell from -1,301 in Year to mid-2012 to -3,234 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,933 or 148.6% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  -3,234 in Year to mid-2025 − -1,301 in Year to mid-2012 = −1,933, which is 148.6% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Internal migration net by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, net internal migration by local authority fell from -1,301 in Year to mid-2012 to -3,234 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,933 or 148.6% (ONS).

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• 2,912Year to mid-2012→4,582Year to mid-2025

  International migration into a local authority

  In Portsmouth, international migration into a local authority rose from 2,912 in Year to mid-2012 to 4,582 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,670 or 57.3% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  4,582 in Year to mid-2025 − 2,912 in Year to mid-2012 = 1,670, which is 57.3% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration in by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, international migration into a local authority rose from 2,912 in Year to mid-2012 to 4,582 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 1,670 or 57.3% (ONS).

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• 2,143Year to mid-2012→2,938Year to mid-2025

  International migration out of a local authority

  In Portsmouth, international migration out of a local authority rose from 2,143 in Year to mid-2012 to 2,938 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 795 or 37.1% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  2,938 in Year to mid-2025 − 2,143 in Year to mid-2012 = 795, which is 37.1% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration out by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, international migration out of a local authority rose from 2,143 in Year to mid-2012 to 2,938 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 795 or 37.1% (ONS).

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• 769Year to mid-2012→1,644Year to mid-2025

  Net international migration by local authority

  In Portsmouth, net international migration by local authority rose from 769 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,644 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 875 or 113.8% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  1,644 in Year to mid-2025 − 769 in Year to mid-2012 = 875, which is 113.8% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from International migration net by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, net international migration by local authority rose from 769 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,644 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 875 or 113.8% (ONS).

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• 2,724Year to mid-2012→2,079Year to mid-2025

  Births by local authority

  In Portsmouth, births by local authority fell from 2,724 in Year to mid-2012 to 2,079 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 645 or 23.7% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  2,079 in Year to mid-2025 − 2,724 in Year to mid-2012 = −645, which is 23.7% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Births by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, births by local authority fell from 2,724 in Year to mid-2012 to 2,079 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 645 or 23.7% (ONS).

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• 1,598Year to mid-2012→1,844Year to mid-2025

  Deaths by local authority

  In Portsmouth, deaths by local authority rose from 1,598 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,844 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 246 or 15.4% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  1,844 in Year to mid-2025 − 1,598 in Year to mid-2012 = 246, which is 15.4% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Deaths by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, deaths by local authority rose from 1,598 in Year to mid-2012 to 1,844 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 246 or 15.4% (ONS).

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• 1,126Year to mid-2012→235Year to mid-2025

  Births minus deaths by local authority

  In Portsmouth, births minus deaths by local authority fell from 1,126 in Year to mid-2012 to 235 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 891 or 79.1% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  235 in Year to mid-2025 − 1,126 in Year to mid-2012 = −891, which is 79.1% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Natural change by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, births minus deaths by local authority fell from 1,126 in Year to mid-2012 to 235 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 891 or 79.1% (ONS).

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• -298Year to mid-2012→-106Year to mid-2025

  Other population change by local authority

  In Portsmouth, other population change by local authority rose from -298 in Year to mid-2012 to -106 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 192 or 64.4% (ONS).

  How this figure was worked out

  -106 in Year to mid-2025 − -298 in Year to mid-2012 = 192, which is 64.4% of the figure for Year to mid-2012.

  14 published years spanning 13 years, from ONS. Years before the current series come from Other population change by local authority, 2012 to 2024, held as a separate series so the two are never mixed inside one figure.

  In Portsmouth, other population change by local authority rose from -298 in Year to mid-2012 to -106 in Year to mid-2025, a change of 192 or 64.4% (ONS).

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Compare Portsmouth with another place

Every figure both areas publish, side by side, from its own publisher with the period named:

• Portsmouth and Birmingham
• Portsmouth and Leeds
• Portsmouth and North Yorkshire
• Portsmouth and Somerset
• Portsmouth and Cornwall
• Portsmouth and Buckinghamshire

Or open any two areas as /compare/places/<area>/<area> — the address carries the whole comparison.

Since you moved here

Pick the year you arrived, and see what every series published for Portsmouth said then and says now, with the periods named. Portsmouth since you moved here, or read the whole run year by year.

Where these figures come from

Every figure above is published by the body named here, for the release named here. Figures marked as a Civometry calculation are arithmetic on those published figures and are not official statistics.

Not yet published here

Income, employment, benefits by area, health, education and religion for Portsmouth are on the way where an open official source exists; where one does not, the data gaps register says why. Local claimant counts are behind a login.