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Suffolk is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population of Suffolk was 92,108 making it the largest city in Virginia by land area. Suffolk was first settled in 1742 and later incorporated as a town in 1808 and as a city in 1910. Today, Suffolk is home to a diverse economy with major employers in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and more.

History of Suffolk

Suffolk has a long and rich history dating back to the colonial era. The land that became Suffolk was first settled by English colonists in 1742. The area was originally known as Merchant's Hope Church Parish and later became Nansemond County. In 1742, the Virginia General Assembly established Suffolk as the county seat of Nansemond County. The new town was named after Suffolk, England and was located at a key crossing point along the Nansemond River.

During the Revolutionary War, Suffolk briefly served as Virginia's capital after the colonial government fled from the advancing British troops. After the war, Suffolk continued to grow as an agricultural trade center. In 1808, Suffolk was incorporated as a town. The Suffolk-Norfolk-Portsmouth area became an important peanut processing and transportation center, dubbed "Peanut City."

In 1910, Suffolk gave up its status as an incorporated town and became an independent city. The city continued to expand in size by annexing surrounding unincorporated areas. Today, Suffolk remains an important agricultural and manufacturing hub in Virginia.

For more on the history of Suffolk, visit the Suffolk, Virginia Wikipedia page.

Popular Attractions and Landmarks

Suffolk offers many great attractions and landmarks for visitors to enjoy. Here are some of the most popular:

Suffolk Peanut Fest

Each fall, Suffolk hosts the Suffolk Peanut Fest to celebrate the city's history as a major peanut processing center. The festival features live music, a parade, rides, food vendors, and more. It is one of the largest festivals in Virginia drawing over 100,000 visitors each year.

Suffolk Museum

The Suffolk Museum focuses on the history, art, and culture of Suffolk and the surrounding region. Exhibits cover topics like Native American history, the peanut industry, the Civil War, and more. The museum also hosts special events and programs throughout the year.

Suffolk Museum
118 Bosley Avenue
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 923-9999

Visit the Suffolk Museum website.

Suffolk Visitor Center

The Suffolk Visitor Center provides information on attractions, events, tours, and more in Suffolk. The center also houses exhibits on local history and operates a gift shop. Guided and self-guided walking tours of downtown Suffolk start from the visitor center.

Suffolk Visitor Center
530 E. Finney Ave
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 514-4130

Visit the Suffolk tourism website.

College Court Historic District

The College Court Historic District contains homes dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable buildings include the Prentis House, Resolution House, Bennett's Creek Meeting House, and the Suffolk Female Institute. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the visitor center.

College Court Historic District
College Ave & Institute St
Suffolk, VA 23434

Latitude: 36.728937
Longitude: -76.586932

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail

The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a popular biking and hiking trail that runs along the historic Dismal Swamp Canal. The trail offers beautiful scenery and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Part of the East Coast Greenway, the trail stretches 22 miles from Deep Creek to South Mills, NC.

Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
2356 Dominion Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 23324

Latitude: 36.681462
Longitude: -76.365455

Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum

The Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum exhibits artifacts and information related to Suffolk's history as a major railroad hub. Visitors can see model train displays, railroad equipment, and a recreation of the Suffolk Seaboard Station site circa the 1920s.

Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum
2682 Carolina Rd
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 923-2345

Visit the Suffolk tourism Facebook page.

Suffolk Tide Baseball

The Suffolk Tides are a minor league baseball team that plays at the Harbor Park stadium in downtown Suffolk. The Tides are an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles MLB team. Harbor Park features seating for over 6,000 fans, group areas, concession stands, and more.

Harbor Park
1 East Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 622-2222

Visit the Suffolk Tides website.

Transportation

Suffolk offers several transportation options for getting around the city:

Suffolk Transit

Suffolk Transit operates bus routes throughout the city with connections to Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Hampton. Popular routes include the North Suffolk/Harbor View Loop, Downtown Suffolk Loop, Bridge Road, and Nansemond Parkway.

Suffolk Transit
2769 Carolina Rd
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 923-2350

Visit the Suffolk Transit website.

Suffolk Amtrak Station

The Suffolk Amtrak station provides rail service on Amtrak's Northeast Regional line. The station is located downtown and connects Suffolk to cities like Newport News, Richmond, Washington D.C., New York, and Boston.

Suffolk Amtrak Station
60 Railroad Ave
Suffolk, VA 23434

Suffolk Executive Airport

Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ) provides general aviation services just outside downtown Suffolk. The airport has a 5,000 foot runway and facilities for private and chartered flights.

Suffolk Executive Airport
1200 Gene Bolton Dr
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 923-2351

Geography

Suffolk is located in southeastern Virginia's Hampton Roads region. The city occupies 430 square miles, making it the largest city in Virginia by land area. However, much of Suffolk consists of sparsely populated wetlands like the Great Dismal Swamp.

Suffolk is bordered by the James River to the north and the Nansemond River to the south. The city has a combined 84 miles of shoreline along these rivers and their tributaries. Downtown Suffolk straddles the Nansemond River.

Here is an embedded Google Map showing the location and geography of Suffolk:

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Suffolk had a population of 92,108 making it the 11th largest city in Virginia. Suffolk saw rapid population growth in the late 20th century, more than tripling in size between 1970 and 2010. However, growth has slowed in recent years.

Suffolk has a racial composition of about 53% white, 42% black or African American, 2% Asian American, and 3% other races. Around 5% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The median household income in Suffolk is $66,438. 15% percent of residents live below the poverty line.

Economy and Major Employers

Today, Suffolk has a diverse economy with major industries including manufacturing, retail trade, healthcare, finance, and farming. Some of the top employers in Suffolk include:

Sentara Obici Hospital

Sentara Obici Hospital is a not-for-profit regional medical center that is part of the Sentara Healthcare system. The hospital has over 250 beds and offers a wide range of healthcare services.

Sentara Obici Hospital
2800 Godwin Blvd
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 934-4000

Farm Fresh Supermarkets

Farm Fresh has its corporate headquarters in Suffolk and operates over 30 grocery stores in Hampton Roads. The company employs over 2,500 people.

Farm Fresh Supermarkets
853 Lightfoot Rd
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 539-9560

Unilever

The consumer goods company Unilever operates a major manufacturing plant in Suffolk that produces brands like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. The plant employs over 400 people.

Unilever
1136 Virginia Ave
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 923-4511

For more on Suffolk's economy visit the Suffolk economic profile (PDF).

Education

Public education in Suffolk is provided by Suffolk Public Schools. The district operates 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools. There are about 14,500 students enrolled in the district.

Suffolk Public Schools
100 North Main St
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone: (757) 925-6750

Visit the Suffolk Public Schools website.

Suffolk is also home to Tidewater Community College's Paul D. Camp Community College campus. The school offers associate degrees and career training programs in fields like healthcare, skilled trades, and technology.

TCC Paul D. Camp Community College
100 North College Dr
Suffolk, VA 23435
Phone: (757) 925-6300

Visit the TCC Paul D. Camp Community College website.

Local Resources

Here are some additional resources for learning more about Suffolk:

• City of Suffolk government website - Information on city departments and services
• Suffolk Public Library - Public library system with multiple branch locations
• Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts - Performing arts center hosting theater, music, and arts events
• Suffolk Parks & Recreation - City department operating parks, trails, community centers, and recreation programs
• Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Large protected wetland area with hiking and nature trails

Suffolk is located in both the Western Tidewater and Hampton Roads regions of Virginia. It is the county seat of Suffolk County, although the county exists today only in law and not as an actual local government entity.

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