City of Suffolk, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Suffolk is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 104,699, up 10.9% since 2020. It covers about 399 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1742 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 104,699 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 94,818 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 10.4% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 18 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Suffolk is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1742.[2] The name comes from Suffolk.[2]
Population of Suffolk
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Suffolk at 104,699 in July 2025, up 10.9% from the April 2020 base of 94,431.[1] That made it 18th of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 8th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 6,089 births and 5,136 deaths, a natural increase of 953.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 8,549. Moves from abroad added 698.[1]
Geography
The City of Suffolk covers 399.2 square miles of land and 29.7 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 46th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 262 people per square mile in 2025, so it is a mix of towns and countryside. Its geographic center lies near 36.70° N, 76.63° W.[3]
The city borders the City of Chesapeake, Isle of Wight County, the City of Newport News, the City of Portsmouth and Southampton County in Virginia, as well as land in North Carolina.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 28 named streams, 2 named summits, 27 lakes and reservoirs and 5 islands in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Suffolk in a county?
No. Suffolk is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Suffolk?
About 104,699 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Suffolk?
About 399 square miles of land, plus 29.7 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Suffolk city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.suffolkva.us
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.