City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Suffolk, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Suffolk - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

96,638
Residents
$90,089
Median income
$329,600
Median home
$1,713
Median rent (state)

Suffolk - the verdict

Suffolk ranks in the 71st percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

71st
percentile, household income
69th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
33rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Suffolk, VA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 96,638 residents in Suffolk, a small city within Virginia. The typical household in Suffolk brings in $90,089 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.7%. Home values in Suffolk run a median of $329,600, and the median resident age is 38.7 years. Educational attainment runs 32.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 680 residential building permits were authorized in Suffolk (Stable), down 2% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1941.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Virginia at 101.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,713 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $235 across Virginia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 27.1 minutes, with 81.4% driving alone and 9.3% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 60.1 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

96,638 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$90,089 /yr

Poverty 7.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Suffolk compare to other US cities?

Here's how Suffolk stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 71% higher than other cities
Home value 69% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Virginia, Suffolk ranks #66 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Suffolk's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Virginia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

71stIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

71st percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Suffolk's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Suffolk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Suffolk's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Suffolk's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$329,600 31st percentile more affordable than 31% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Suffolk $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Suffolk, VA Suffolk, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Suffolk, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Suffolk, VA median $90,089/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Suffolk, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Suffolk, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
96,638
Median Income
$90,089
Median Home Value
$329,600
Median Age
38.7
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor force participation
58.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1941.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
371.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1570.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
19
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
90,000 residents95,000 residents100,000 residents105,000 residents110,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 94,818 residents 104,699 residents ▲ +10.4%
Suffolk's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
680
housing units authorized
Single-Family
680
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 695
2020 1,108
2021 1,363
2022 669
2023 727
2024 680

Permit volume decreased 2% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.1 minutes
Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
6.5%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
9.3%
Other
1.4%

Based on 46,854 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Suffolk sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,713/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
60.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Portsmouth
97,299 people
Roanoke
98,677 people
Lynchburg
79,255 people
Dale
72,793 people
Centreville
71,885 people
Reston
63,542 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Suffolk's 96,638 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sunrise, FL
96,633 people
Yakima, WA
96,810 people
Arden-Arcade, CA
96,319 people
Conroe, TX
96,976 people
Orem, UT
97,048 people
Fayetteville, AR
97,227 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Suffolk's $90,089 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Central, LA
$90,091 median income
Meiners Oaks, CA
$90,096 median income
Highlands, NJ
$90,082 median income
Dixonville, PA
$90,081 median income
Lowell, OR
$90,078 median income
Silverado, CA
$90,104 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Suffolk, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Suffolk, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 47.5% 42.0% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.0% White 47.5% Black or African American 42.0% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 6.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Suffolk compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Suffolk (this city) 96,638 $90,089
Portsmouth 97,299 $58,972
Roanoke 98,677 $52,671
Lynchburg 79,255 $59,808
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Suffolk, VA?

What is the population of Suffolk, VA? +

96,638 people live in Suffolk, VA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Suffolk, VA? +

Suffolk households earn a median of $90,089 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Suffolk? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Suffolk; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Suffolk, VA safe? +

Suffolk has a total crime rate of 1941.9 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Suffolk, VA? +

The median home value in Suffolk is $329,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.