Suffolk, Virginia

Suffolk, Virginia

Flag (Detail) Seal (Detail)
Location in Virginia
Founded  -Incorporated	1742  {{{incorporated}}}
County	Independent city
Mayor	Bobby L. Ralph
Area  - Total  - Water	1,111.3 km² (429.1 mi²) 75.2 km² (29.0 mi²) 6.77%
Population  - City (2000)  - Density  - Metropolitan	63,677 770.7/km² 1,576,370
Time zone	Eastern (UTC –5)
Coordinates WGS-84 (GPS)	36.7413° N 76.6099° W
www.suffolk.va.us

Suffolk is an independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area of eastern Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 63,677. In 1974, the current city was created from the former town and city of Suffolk, the unincorporated communities of Holland and Whaleyville, and the independent City of Nansemond which was itself created from the former Nansemond County only two years earlier, creating the largest city in Virginia geographically.

Geography

Suffolk is located at 36°44'28" North, 76°36'35" West (36.741347, -76.609881)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,111.3 km² (429.1 mi²). 1,036.0 km² (400.0 mi²) of it is land and 75.2 km² (29.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6.77% water.

Part of the Great Dismal Swamp is located in Suffolk.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 63,677 people, 23,283 households, and 17,718 families residing in the city. The population density is 61.5/km² (159.2/mi²). There are 24,704 housing units at an average density of 23.8/km² (61.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 53.82% White, 43.53% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 23,283 households out of which 36.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% are married couples living together, 16.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% are non-families. 20.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.09.

In the city the population is spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $41,115, and the median income for a family is $47,342. Males have a median income of $35,852 versus $23,777 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,836. 13.2% of the population and 10.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 18.2% of those under the age of 18 and 11.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Suffolk Virginia is also the "birthplace" of Mr. Peanut, Planters Peanuts mascot. More About Suffolk

The population in 2003 was estimated to be 73,515, a change of +15.7 %.

Large Employers in the City of Suffolk include Unilever (Lipton Tea), Planters Peanuts, and Walmart.

In a new Obici hospital was built.

Each year in the fall Suffolk holds its annual Peanut Fest, in 2005 they will hold the 28th.