Suffolk is Virginia’s largest city in land mass spreading 430 Sq.miles of rich land with woods, lakes, rivers, and rolling terrain not to mention wise development and the use of it that makes this area bountiful for residents and businesses alike. Suffolk's rich history dates back to 1608 when the English settled here and traded with the Nansemond Indians. Southern gentility and serene lifestyle still characterize modern day Suffolk. Today, Suffolk contains more than 80 buildings that have been labeled “historically significant to Virginia.
Established in 1912, Suffolk is headquarters of the Planters Life Saver Company, manufacturer of Planters Peanuts and other fine snacks. Every year Suffolk celebrates its rich agricultural heritage with a four-day annual Peanut Fest in October where lovers of “goober peas” (Southern for Peanut) can show all peanut delicacies imaginable.
Even though sixty four percent of Suffolk’s land area is still rural and used for agricultural purposes, only three percent of the workforce is employed by farming, forestry or fishing occupations. Most are factory workers, technical work, managers, and professionals.
Since the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel was built it has joined Suffolk with the rest of Hampton Roads making it one of the most centrally located areas of all of Hampton Roads. As a result Suffolk has built more new subdivisions per population than any other area of Hampton Roads in the last five years. The City of Suffolk is situated in Virginia's Hampton Roads region and is part of the Norfolk/Virginia Beach/ Newport News Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Suffolk is 20 miles from Norfolk, 90 miles from Richmond and 200 miles from Washington, D.C.
Population (year 2000): 63,677, Est. population in July 2002: 69,966 (+9.9% change)
Elevation: 50 feet
County: Suffolk (city)
Land area: 430.0 square miles
Zip codes: 23432, 23433, 23434, 23435, 23436, 23437, 23438.
Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Norfolk, VA (26.0 miles, pop. 234,403).
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Philadelphia, PA (246.7 miles, pop. 1,517,550).
Nearest cities: Windsor, VA (10.4 miles), Smithfield, VA (16.4 miles), Portsmouth, VA (19.2 miles), Chesapeake, VA (22.2 miles), Franklin, VA (22.5 miles), Ivor, VA (22.8 miles), Rushmere, VA (23.7 miles), Newport News, VA (24.4 miles).
Major Industries:
Obici Hospital, QVC Network, JTASC, Lipton Tea Company, Planters, Nestle Beverage
Hospital/medical center in Suffolk:
• LOUISE OBICI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (2800 GODWIN BOULEVARD)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Suffolk:
• MARYVIEW MEDICAL CENTER/PORTSMOUTH GEN (about 20 miles; PORTSMOUTH, VA)
• RIVERSIDE REHAB INSTITUTE (about 22 miles; NEWPORT NEWS, VA)
• NEWPORT NEWS GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; NEWPORT NEWS, VA)
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Suffolk:
• NORFOLK NS (about 27 miles; NORFOLK, VA; ID: NGU)
• NEWPORT NEWS/WILLIAMSBURG INTERNATIONAL (about 28 miles; NEWPORT NEWS, VA; ID: PHF)
• LANGLEY AFB (about 29 miles; HAMPTON, VA; ID: LFI)
Other public-use airports nearest to Suffolk:
• SUFFOLK MUNI (about 6 miles; SUFFOLK, VA; ID: SFQ)
• HAMPTON ROADS EXECUTIVE (about 13 miles; NORFOLK, VA; ID: PVG)
• FRANKLIN MUNI-JOHN BEVERLY ROSE (about 21 miles; FRANKLIN, VA; ID: FKN)
Local government website: http://www.suffolk.va.us/
Library in Suffolk:
• SUFFOLK PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM (Operating income: $1,307,122; Location: 443 WEST WASHINGTON STREET; 138,190 books; 4,425 audio
