About Suffolk

An independent city in Virginia, Suffolk consists of 400 square miles of land and 29 square miles of water, making it the largest city in the state by area. Suffolk was founded in 1742 by English colonists as a port on the Nansemond River, and was named Constant’s Warehouse after John Constant. It was renamed Suffolk for Royal Governor William Gooch's home in Suffolk, England. In 1750, Suffolk became the county seat of Nansemond County. By 1910, Suffolk was incorporated as an independent city into Virginia and separated from Nansemond County, but Suffolk remained the county seat until 1972 when Nansemond County became an independent city. In 1974, the two cities merged to form the Suffolk known today, which contains seven boroughs: Chuckatuck, Cypress, Holy Neck, Nansemond, Sleepy Hole, Suffolk, and Whaleyville. Suffolk’s sister cities are Suffolk County, England, thanks to Virginia Governor Mills E. Godwin, and Oderzo, Italy, the birthplace of Amedeo Obici, founder of Suffolk’s Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.

In 1912, Suffolk’s main industry became peanuts due to the establishment of Planters Peanuts, and for many years following, the call letters of local AM radio station WLPM represented the “World’s Largest Peanut Market.” Mr. Peanut, the mascot of Planters Peanuts, was “born” in Suffolk, and since 1977 Suffolk has hosted an annual peanut festival in the fall. Today, Suffolk is still a major peanut processing center but is also a railroad and highway transportation hub, with industrial, manufacturing, farming, retail, distribution, and hospitality businesses.

Notable places of interest in Suffolk include Bay Point Farm, East Suffolk Complex, Dumpling Island Archeological Site, Driver Historic District, Chuckatuck Historic District, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge, Sleepy Hole Golf Course, Riddick’s Folly House Museum, and Buzzard Island.

Suffolk is home to a variety of architectural styles and residences, including historic homes, waterfront properties, condominiums and more. The Suffolk Public School district includes three high schools, four middle schools, twelve elementary schools, and one alternative school. Pruden Boulevard is home to private college preparatory school Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.