Suffolk, VA Demographics

A map of Suffolk's Population by Race

Suffolk, Virginia has an estimated population of 98,796, an increase from the 94,324 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.8% White, 41.6% Black, 5.2% Hispanic, 4.6% Multiracial, 1.8% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Suffolk, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Suffolk has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is slightly more diverse than Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Suffolk, that probability was 60.7% in 2020 and 61.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Suffolk is ranked the 9th most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Suffolk was ranked the 11th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Suffolk's White Population

45,224 residents of Suffolk, or 45.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Suffolk is considerably lower than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Suffolk ranks 543rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Suffolk's White population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Suffolk's population has decreased from 46.5% to 45.8%.

Suffolk is more White than neighboring Benns Church (33.4% White). Suffolk is less White than neighboring Windsor (69.7% White), Carrsville (85.7% White), Sunbury (88.8% White), and Carrollton (61.7% White).

Suffolk's Black Population

41,068 residents of Suffolk, or 41.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Suffolk is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Suffolk ranks 56th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Suffolk's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.8%. Black residents' share of Suffolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 41.6%.

Suffolk is more Black than neighboring Windsor (15.9% Black), Carrsville (14.3% Black), Sunbury (0% Black), and Carrollton (18.9% Black). Suffolk is less Black than neighboring Benns Church (55.3% Black).

Suffolk's Asian Population

1,818 residents of Suffolk, or 1.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Suffolk is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Suffolk ranks 228th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Suffolk's Asian population has grown by an estimated 8.7%. Asian residents' share of Suffolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.8%.

Suffolk is more Asian than neighboring Windsor (1.3% Asian), Carrsville (0% Asian), Benns Church (0.2% Asian), and Sunbury (0% Asian). Suffolk is less Asian than neighboring Carrollton (3.3% Asian).

Suffolk's Hispanic Population

5,172 residents of Suffolk, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Suffolk is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Suffolk ranks 346th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Suffolk's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 21.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Suffolk's population has increased from 4.5% to 5.2%.

Suffolk is more Hispanic than neighboring Carrsville (0% Hispanic), Benns Church (2.3% Hispanic), and Sunbury (0% Hispanic). Suffolk is less Hispanic than neighboring Windsor (9.2% Hispanic), and Carrollton (12% Hispanic).

Suffolk's Native American/Other Population

948 residents of Suffolk, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Suffolk is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Suffolk ranks 186th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Suffolk's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 9.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Suffolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Suffolk is more Native American/Other than neighboring Carrsville (0% Native American/Other), Benns Church (0.1% Native American/Other), Sunbury (0% Native American/Other), and Carrollton (0.1% Native American/Other). Suffolk is less Native American/Other than neighboring Windsor (2.9% Native American/Other).

Suffolk's Multiracial Population

4,566 residents of Suffolk, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Suffolk is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Suffolk ranks 249th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Suffolk's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 1.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Suffolk's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

Suffolk is more Multiracial than neighboring Windsor (1% Multiracial), Carrsville (0% Multiracial), and Carrollton (4% Multiracial). Suffolk is less Multiracial than neighboring Benns Church (8.8% Multiracial), and Sunbury (11.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.