Portsmouth is an independent city in southeastern Virginia, located across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 97,915, making it the ninth-most populous city in Virginia and part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
The city has a long historical association with the United States Armed Forces, particularly the Navy, due to its strategic location. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, a historic and active Navy facility, is located in Portsmouth and has been central to the city's identity and economy.