City of Portsmouth
801 Crawford Parkway • (757) 393-8000
www.portsmouthva.gov/
Portsmouth is an independent city on the western side of the Elizabeth River. As of the 2010 census the populations was 95,535. The city has a total area of 47 square miles with 13 square miles of water and 34 of land according to the United States Census Bureau.
In 1620, the land was recognized as a potential shipbuilding location by John Wood and the surrounding area became a community of plantations. The city of Portsmouth was founded by Colonel William Crawford who was a member of the Virginia House or Burgesses. It became a town in 1752 and was named after Portsmouth, England.
Portsmouth has a Council-Manager form of government. John Rowe is the current mayor.
