Portsmouth ZIP Code List — Newport County, RI

There is one unique ZIP code in Portsmouth, Rhode Island and it is 02871. Area code: 401.

ZIP codes

17.07

sq mi land

6.66

sq mi water

401

area code

Portsmouth, RI ZIP code map

About Portsmouth, RI

Portsmouth is a charming town located in Rhode Island, known for its rich history and beautiful coastal scenery. Nestled in Newport County, this picturesque community offers a unique blend of small-town charm and vibrant local culture. With its serene waterfront views and engaging outdoor activities, Portsmouth is a hidden gem that attracts visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Portsmouth is positioned on Aquidneck Island in the southern part of Rhode Island, making it a delightful destination for those who appreciate coastal living. The town is approximately 7 miles north of Newport, 25 miles southeast of Providence, and 63 miles southwest of Boston, positioning it conveniently within reach of larger urban centers. Covering a total area of 17.07 square miles of land and 6.66 square miles of water, Portsmouth features a diverse landscape of rolling hills, farmland, and maritime environments.

Community & economy

The community of Portsmouth is characterized by its strong sense of local identity, with many residents participating in town events and outdoor activities. The economy is supported by a mix of tourism, maritime businesses, and agriculture, with many locals engaging in farming and retail. Daily life in Portsmouth is enriched by its access to parks, beaches, and recreational facilities, fostering a strong connection to nature and community engagement.

Transportation

Portsmouth is served by several major roadways, including Route 24, which connects to the mainland and offers access to the greater New England area. The nearest airport is T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, located approximately 28 miles from Portsmouth, providing regional and national air service. Public transportation options in the area include bus services that connect Portsmouth to nearby cities.

History

Portsmouth was founded in 1638 by a group of religious dissenters and is one of the oldest towns in Rhode Island, rich in historical significance. The town's early economy was primarily agrarian, but it eventually grew to include shipbuilding and trade due to its advantageous coastal location. Notable events in Portsmouth's history include its involvement in the Revolutionary War and its development as a center for tourism in the 19th century.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Portsmouth is that it is home to the historic Green Animals Topiary Garden, which features more than 80 unique topiary sculptures. Additionally, the town hosts annual events like the Portsmouth Arts Festival, which celebrates local artists and their contributions to the community.

ZIP codes for Portsmouth, RI (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
02871	Portsmouth	Newport	View map

Demographics & statistics

17,748

Population

48.4

Median age

$107,360

Median household income

$60,148

Per capita income

$486,800

Median home value

$1,731

Median monthly rent

80.5%

Home ownership

5.2%

Poverty rate

3.6%

Unemployment

6,655

Housing units

59.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

416

Under 5

404

415

5–9

404

558

10–14

542

557

15–19

541

411

20–24

399

800

25–34

777

952

35–44

926

1,332

45–54

1,295

685

55–59

665

641

60–64

623

1,285

65–74

1,249

749

75–84

728

200

85+

194

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,500	19.7%
18 and over	14,248	80.3%
65 and over	4,405	24.8%
Median age	48.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87%

Two or more races 6.5%

Hispanic or Latino 4.3%

Black or African American 1.1%

Asian 0.9%

Other race 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	16,137	87%
Two or more races	1,209	6.5%
Hispanic or Latino	801	4.3%
Black or African American	200	1.1%
Asian	173	0.9%
Other race	29	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%

$10k–$15k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 3.3%

$25k–$35k 3.9%

$35k–$50k 6.5%

$50k–$75k 13.1%

$75k–$100k 15.6%

$100k–$150k 16.2%

$150k–$200k 13.8%

$200k+ 22.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.3%
$10k–$15k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	3.3%
$25k–$35k	3.9%
$35k–$50k	6.5%
$50k–$75k	13.1%
$75k–$100k	15.6%
$100k–$150k	16.2%
$150k–$200k	13.8%
$200k+	22.7%
Median income	$107,360

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.1%

$50k–$100k 0.3%

$100k–$150k 3.7%

$150k–$200k 1.9%

$200k–$300k 9.4%

$300k–$500k 35.8%

$500k–$1M 42.0%

$1M+ 5.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$486,800
Median rent / month	$1,731
Owner occupied	80.5%
Renter occupied	19.5%
Vacant	10.1%
Single-family detached	75.6%
Large apartment buildings	4.6%
Mobile homes	2.8%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.40

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	5.4%
2000–2009	10.6%
1990–1999	10.1%
1980–1989	14.2%
1970–1979	13.7%
1960–1969	14.8%
1950–1959	10.5%
1940–1949	6.1%
1939 or earlier	14.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	7.6%
2 bedrooms	27.3%
3 bedrooms	38.0%
4 bedrooms	23.2%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.9%
1 vehicle	27.8%
2 vehicles	44.6%
3 or more	23.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	27.7%
Electricity	13.4%
Propane / LP gas	5.2%
Fuel oil	51.6%
Wood	1.4%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,139	57.1%
Cohabiting couple	348	4.8%
Male householder, no spouse	931	12.8%
Female householder, no spouse	1,830	25.2%
Households with children under 18	1,898	26.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,054	42.1%
Average household size	2.40

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.4%	20.8%
Married	59.7%	54.3%
Separated	0.2%	0.4%
Widowed	3.3%	11.5%
Divorced	8.3%	13.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.3%

Some HS, no diploma 2.5%

HS graduate 15.4%

Some college, no degree 12.7%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 35.4%

Graduate / professional 24.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.3%
Bachelor's or higher	59.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	340	8.1%
Kindergarten	69	1.6%
Elementary school	1,729	41.0%
High school	950	22.5%
College / grad school	1,126	26.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.9%

Professional & management 15.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.0%

Retail trade 8.8%

Construction 8.7%

Manufacturing 8.2%

Finance & real estate 6.2%

Public administration 5.7%

Other services 4.9%

Agriculture & mining 4.3%

Transportation & utilities 4.0%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	52.5%
Service	14.5%
Sales & office	18.7%
Natural resources & construction	8.1%
Production & transportation	6.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.4%
Government	15.6%
Self-employed	4.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.3%
Carpool	3.0%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	0.7%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.3

Poverty

All people 5.2%

Under 18 years 6.3%

18 and over 5.0%

Married-couple families 1.4%

Female-led households 3.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.7%
Retirement income	33.9%
Supplemental Security	4.3%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.1%
High cholesterol	31.7%
Heart disease	5.8%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	24.8%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	5.6%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.2%
No physical activity	15.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.2%
Fair or poor health	9.3%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	8.4%
No health insurance	6.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	82.1%
Visited dentist	78.2%
Cholesterol screening	93.6%
Teeth loss	7.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,589	11.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.7%
Under 18	4.4%
18–64 years	7.9%
65 and over	21.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	85.2%
Public insurance	34.7%
Uninsured under 19	2.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	16,928	95.4%
Spanish	241	1.4%
Other Indo-European	86	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	39	0.2%
Other languages	31	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	16,621	93.6%
Born in same state	16,388	92.3%
Born in different state	6,561	37.0%
Foreign born	233	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	1,127	6.4%
Not a US citizen	614	54.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,371	24.6%
French	2,836	16%
Arab	758	4.3%
German	480	2.7%
English	165	0.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	125	0.7%
Norwegian	65	0.4%
Dutch	57	0.3%
Irish	55	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	97.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Portsmouth, RI?

Portsmouth, RI has one ZIP code: 02871.

What is the main ZIP code for Portsmouth, RI?

The primary ZIP code for Portsmouth, RI is 02871. The city uses area code 401 for phone service.

What county is Portsmouth, RI in?

Portsmouth is located in Newport County, Rhode Island.

How many ZIP codes are in Portsmouth, RI?

Portsmouth, RI has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing something to a business in downtown Portsmouth near the waterfront?

All of Portsmouth, including the downtown waterfront area, uses the ZIP code 02871.

What ZIP code covers Portsmouth's Island Park neighborhood and residential areas?

Portsmouth's Island Park neighborhood and all residential areas throughout the town are served by ZIP code 02871.