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Suffolk, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Suffolk, Virginia had a total population of 98,796, the 9th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $92,666, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Suffolk Quick Facts

Population 98,796
Median Household Income $92,666
Median Home Value $347,400
Poverty Rate 9.4%
Unemployment Rate 5.0%
Median Age 38.7 years
Homeownership Rate 70.7%
Affordability Ratio 3.7x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 33.3%
High School Graduation Rate 91.2%
Diversity Index 61/100
Population 98,796 9th of 681
Median Income $92,666 above average
Poverty Rate 9.4% 25% lower than national
Median Home Value $347,400 above average

How Suffolk Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population96,63898,796+2.2%
Median household income$90,089$92,666+2.9%
Median home value$329,600$347,400+5.4%

How Suffolk Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 11.1%
$25K-$50K 14.3%
$50K-$100K 28.7%
$100K+ 46.0%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.1%
$10K-$15K
2.2%
$15K-$20K
2.0%
$20K-$25K
2.9%
$25K-$30K
2.6%
$30K-$35K
3.7%
$35K-$40K
2.0%
$40K-$45K
2.3%
$45K-$50K
3.7%
$50K-$60K
6.4%
$60K-$75K
9.7%
$75K-$100K
12.6%
$100K-$125K
11.9%
$125K-$150K
9.5%
$150K-$200K
11.8%
$200K+
12.8%

Employment

5.0% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
65.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 70.7%
Renter 29.3%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.7x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,563/mo 20.2% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

61out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Suffolk Rankings in Virginia

#9 Population of 681
#214 Median Income of 585
#273 Education of 680
#217 Home Value of 580

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Suffolk

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Portsmouth97,190$60,491$246,90024.3%17.3%
Roanoke98,355$55,378$190,50030.0%18.3%
Dale City71,016$111,994$425,50033.6%7.0%
Lynchburg79,497$57,947$229,80038.5%18.6%
Hampton137,557$69,621$245,70028.5%12.7%

Population Overview

Suffolk is a mid-sized community located in Virginia. The total population is 98,796. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Suffolk is 38.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Suffolk is $92,666. This is about the same as the state median of $93,170. It is also 15% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $347,400. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 70.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Suffolk is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 41.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (41.6% vs 18.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.

Education

33.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Suffolk, Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Suffolk, Virginia?

Suffolk, Virginia has a population of 98,796 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Suffolk, VA?

The median household income in Suffolk is $92,666, which is 15% higher than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Suffolk, VA?

The poverty rate in Suffolk is 9.4%. This means approximately 9,186 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Suffolk, Virginia?

Suffolk's population is 45.8% White, 41.6% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Suffolk, VA?

The median home value in Suffolk is $347,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.

How educated is Suffolk, Virginia?

33.3% of adults (25+) in Suffolk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.