Suffolk is a coastal city located on the Nansemond River, which winds and weaves its way deep into the heart of town. Today, Suffolk is one of the largest in the state as far as land area, but it hasn’t always been that way. In 1974, the city of Suffolk merged with Nansemond County, growing from 2 square miles to about 430 square miles. Although the population density has remained relatively low — 236 people per square mile, compared to nearby Portsmouth’s 2,940 — Suffolk’s population of over 94,000 in 2020 was a nearly 10,000-person increase from the previous census. The city projects extreme growth in the coming years, with a lot of new homes being built in the area and new major employers building facilities.
Hampton Roads is a major military region, with the nearby Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth being two of the area’s largest employers. Amazon, Suffolk Public Schools and Naval Information Forces are this city’s largest employers. While there are arguments over who’s the true “peanut capital of the world,” Suffolk remains the largest peanut producer and is home to the Planters Peanut Center, which is another major employer.
A peaceful day of fishing at Constant's Wharf along the Nasemond on the Suffolk waterfront.
The bustling community of Nansemond in Suffolk, seen from above, reveals a blend of greenery
Planters Peanut Company opened its first mass-processing plant in Holy Neck over 100 years ago.
Downtown Suffolk’s historic bell and vibrant City Market mural reflect local heritage.
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Rural land in southern Suffolk, new homes in the north end
There are mainly three sections of Suffolk, according to Lee Cross, managing broker of Cross Realty and lifelong Suffolk resident: the southern, central and northern sides. The southern side is largely rural, the central side holds Suffolk’s Main Street-style downtown and the northern side is the newest area that’s seen the most growth. “That has some of the larger, newer neighborhoods, nice deep-water access and it’s a really easy drive to all the modern conveniences,” Cross says about northern Suffolk. There are also smaller villages that were established prior to becoming part of the city and still retain their own identities. “You can go to Eclipse and visit Johnson & Sons and get fresh seafood right off the boat, or you can go to Holland, where Little League teams are a big thing,” Cross says.
“We really have everything, which is nice for us because when someone comes looking for a house, we can help them find what they want. Whether it’s a 50-acre horse farm or a really nice house on the water,” Cross says. The median price for single-family homes in the city is around $400,000, while the median price for townhouses and condos hovers around $350,000. The national median for a single-family homes is $418,700.
The Riverfront at Harbour View includes condos and apartments as home style options.
The Riverfront at Harbour View has many large, uniquely designed home styles.
Some restored historical homes in Suffolk’s downtown district.
Brick ranch-style homes on large lots are plentiful in Chuckatuck in Suffolk.
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Production arts and career academies offered by city's school district
Students attend Suffolk City Public Schools, which receives a B-minus from Niche. The district serves nearly 14,000 students and operates 11 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, three preschool centers and an alternative education center. The district also offers a Center for Performance and Production Arts at Lakeland High School, which prepares students for college or careers in various disciplines relating to the arts, and the College and Career Academy at Pruden, where sophomores through seniors can take classes in 17 career and technical education programs to earn high school and college credits.
Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School aims to foster brilliance, and shape futures.
Suffolk’s College and Career Academy Elementary focuses on academics and career prep.
Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Suffolk serves students from adjacent Holy Neck.
Children are offered a great education at Nansemond River High School in Cyprus.
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Deep-water access, swamp trails and youth sports
From the Nansemond River to its many lakes and deep-water creeks, Suffolk and the region are known for its bodies of water. In the north end, Bennett's Creek Park is a 57-acre green space with a public boat ramp and a fishing pier. Nansemond River, accessible from Constant's Wharf Marina near downtown, feeds up to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Suffolk is also home to a portion of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, which spans 112,000 acres of forested wetlands. There are 40 miles of trails in the refuge, many of which are accessible from the Jericho Lane Entrance in Suffolk.
Another important facet of recreation in the city is youth sports, according to Cross, who says nonprofits like the Suffolk Youth Athletic Association get kids involved early in sports like soccer and field hockey. Other sports facilities in the area include Sleepy Hole Golf Course’s 18 holes along the Nansemond River and Lake Meade Park’s tennis courts and skatepark.
Boats docked at the scenic Nansemond Wharf marina in Suffolk, ready for a day on the water.
The Riverfront at Harbour View is located on the Nansemond River and features a golf course.
Waterfront Park in Suffolk is a serene getaway for residents to relax.
Tennis enthusiasts thrive in Nansemond's active community.
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Annual events downtown
According to Lee, “Nobody’s coming to Suffolk to go to the nightclub,” but there are a fair number of events downtown to keep things interesting, from the Earth and Arts Festival in the spring to the Peanut Festival in the fall. From May to November, residents come out on the weekends to shop locally at the Suffolk Farmers’ Market. On Fridays in the summer, the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department hosts the TGIF Summer Concert Series. The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts has a 500-seat theater where residents can catch ballet performances, concerts, musical theater and more, as well as browse the art galleries or take a class.
Chains in northern Suffolk, local businesses downtown
In northern Suffolk, residents can find the bulk of the city’s chain grocery stores and clothing retailers, as well as a movie theater. In central Suffolk, downtown is packed with municipal offices, mom-and-pop stores and local restaurants like Baron’s Pub, which has been a staple since 2004. The dining scene has been on an upswing, according to Cross. “Twenty years ago, people would have to leave town for a nice meal, but there are a lot of good restaurants here now so that doesn’t happen as much anymore,” he says. Those living in the rural, southern part of the city will need to travel north for shopping and dining.
Small businesses serve Downtown Suffolk residents.
Entertainment thrives at Harbour View Grande Theater in Nansemond.
Nansemond's taproom invites community connections and cheer.
Residents of The Riverfront at Harbour View can grab a quick drink at Starbucks.
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Crime trends, flood risks
Nearly all neighborhoods in Suffolk have a CAP Index crime score at or below the national score of 4, except for the Nansemond and East Washington Street neighborhoods, which both score a 5. According to data reported to the FBI by the Suffolk Police Department, incidents from 2023 are on par with 2022, with a less than 1% increase in violent crime and a nearly 8% decrease in property crime.
As a coastal town, flooding is something potential homebuyers need to take into consideration. Some spots in Suffolk are notorious for flooding, like the Kimberly Bridge, which is a main thoroughfare connecting southern Suffolk to central Suffolk. To complicate matters, newly developed subdivisions and other recent development projects have exacerbated drainage issues to older subdivisions. The Pughsville area of Suffolk is one such neighborhood where residents have repeatedly appealed to the city for help. In November 2022, Suffolk’s Public Works Department published a Resilience Plan to identify flood prevention and protection projects. The city was approved for Community Flood Preparedness Fund grants in 2024, with drainage construction in the Pughsville area expected to start in December 2024.
Commuting via I-664
The only major interstate near Suffolk is Interstate 664, located just west of the city’s north end. Suffolk Transit operates a bus service, but it is primarily around the downtown area. The north end has Sentara BelleHarbour and the Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, and Sentara Obici Hospital is 3 miles north of downtown. Norfolk International Airport, which is about 30 miles from downtown Suffolk, offers nonstop service to more than 40 destinations. Residents also use Norfolk’s Amtrak station near Harbor Park, about 20 miles from downtown Suffolk.
Jermaine Anderson runs the J. Anderson real estate team at Keller Williams Elite 757. Jermaine is a Hampton Roads native and enjoys living in Hampton Roads and the opportunities it provides. He has a rather large network of family and friends. He graduated from Norfolk State University with a degree in Business Management. From there he worked in the corporate world for 20 years as a senior operations manager. This experience provided a solid foundation for customer service and support. He also spent time with Norfolk public schools as a math and reading specialist.
He started his Real Estate career in 2010 as a real estate investor. Becoming a full time real estate agent in 2020, the main characteristic, through which he has built his real estate career and reputation, is honesty, integrity and quality service. His clients experience knowledgable, prompt and personalized service from him and his team. Through his core principles, he has been able to grow a network of clients who have become like family. Through his vast knowledge and relentless approach to growing and learning Jermaine is an expert in all things real estate. Feel free to contact him with any of your real estate questions. His Team services all of Hampton Roads: Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
