Suffolk: Demographics & People
About 98,796 people live in Suffolk, in 37,908 households. Population grew 2.2% from 96,638 (2022) to 98,796 (2024). Median age 38.7 years. (0.9y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 46% White (non-Hispanic) and 42% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.56). 68% of households are family-led. County is gaining 3,479 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 14% smoke.
- 2.6 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 32% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 2.2% from 96,638 (2022) to 98,796 (2024) — about 3.7× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~101,011 (extrapolated at 1.1%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 104,010.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 94,324 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 2.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 96,638 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 98,796 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 98,796 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 104,010 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.7y is 0.2 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 23.6% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 98,796 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 23,310 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 21,062.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 39,324.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 15,100 |
| Population under 18 | 23,310 |
| Median age | 38.7 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 98,796 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.56 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 45,942 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 40,596 |
| Asian residents | 1,861 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 4,780 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 56.4% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 49.3% |
| Asian population | 1.8% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 41.6% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.2% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 45.8% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.1% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 57,945 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 34,399 |
| Share born in this state | 58.7% |
| Share born in another state | 41.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 34.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.1% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 3,653 |
| From Europe | 478 |
| From Africa | 1,339 |
| From Latin America | 50 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 8 |
Households & Family Composition
37,908 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — matches the U.S. average of 2.5. 68% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 25,673 families, 28% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 22,877 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 25,673 |
| Married couples with children | 7,135 |
| Single-parent households | 681 |
| Average household size | 2.58 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 11.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 2,120 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 784 |
| Family households | 25,829 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 68.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 37,908 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 11.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 3,479 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 100,611 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 97,132 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 3,479 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 5,433 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.9% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 922 residents live in group quarters (0.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 922 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51800 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 800 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Suffolk City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 15.2% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 13.10 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 17.60 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51800 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Suffolk city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large fringe metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,765 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51800 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Suffolk city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 63.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 55.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 36.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 92,108 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 22 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 24 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 23.6% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 98,796, growing, family-oriented, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 98,796 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Suffolk city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade