HomeVirginiaSuffolk

Suffolk, Virginia

Located in Independent City, Virginia, Suffolk was founded in 1742. Mr. Peanut and Planters Peanuts were founded in Suffolk. Suffolk is the largest city by land area in Virginia at 429 square miles.
Founded 1742 | Population 100,000 | Peak 100,000 (2024) | County Independent City

Top 10 Most Important Events for Suffolk, Virginia

undefined
1742 Founded: Colonial port on Nansemond River.
undefined
1912 Planters Peanuts: Amedeo Obici founds Planters Peanuts in Suffolk.
undefined
1974 Merged with County: City-county consolidation creates huge land area.
undefined
2000 Hampton Roads Growth: Suburban expansion from Norfolk area.
🧠
How Well Do You Know Suffolk?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Latest News in Suffolk

Apr 21, 2026
SPLC Indicted on Fraud Charges: Justice Department Alleges Civil Rights Group Funded Informants Inside Hate Organizations It Publicly Denounced
The Southern Poverty Law Center, long celebrated as a leading watchdog against white supremacist and extremist groups, was hit wit…
Feb 20, 2026
Dad And Son Charged With 216 Counts Of Incest, Pay The Price
A father and son in West Virginia has been charged with over 216 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse that involved t…
May 12, 2016
Permitless Concealed Carry Bill Will Become Law West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia – On May 12, 2016, a controversial bill allowing residents to carry concealed firearms without a permi…
May 11, 2016
West Virginia House Delegates Passes Contested Voter Id Requirements
Charleston, West Virginia – On May 11, 2016, the West Virginia House of Delegates gave the green light to a controversial bill t…
Mar 14, 2016
Coroner Virginia Tv Journalists Shot Both Head and Body
Virginia — On March 14, 2016, a coroner’s report shed light on the brutal details of a shooting that had shocked the natio…
Mar 1, 2016
Hillary Clinton Confident Shell Lock Democratic Nomination
Washington, March 1, 2016 – Hillary Clinton was riding high on a wave of primary wins as Super Tuesday wrapped up, boldly declar…

Complete Historical Timeline

1742 Culture
Founded
1912 Business
Planters Peanuts
1974 Government
Merged with County
2000 Business
Hampton Roads Growth

Did You Know?

1
Mr. Peanut and Planters Peanuts were founded in Suffolk.
2
Suffolk is the largest city by land area in Virginia at 429 square miles.
3
The city-county consolidation of 1974 made Suffolk geographically enormous.
4
Suffolk is located in Independent City, Virginia.
5
Suffolk was founded in 1742.

Famous People from Suffolk, Virginia

JA
James Avery
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Nov 27, 1945 · Died Dec 31, 2013 (age 68)
CB
Charlie Byrd
Composer, Guitarist · Born Sep 16, 1925 · Died Nov 30, 1999 (age 74)
LJ
Lewis F. Powell Jr.
Judge, Lawyer · Born Sep 19, 1907 · Died Aug 25, 1998 (age 90)
DR
Della H. Raney
Military Nurse · Born Jan 10, 1912 · Died Nov 23, 1987 (age 75)
RS
Rory Sparrow
Basketball Player · Born Jun 12, 1958 · Age 67

Other Cities in Virginia

View all Virginia cities →
VB
Virginia Beach
Pop. 452,375
C
Chesapeake
Pop. 257,632
N
Norfolk
Pop. 238,005
R
Richmond
Pop. 226,610
NN
Newport News
Pop. 181,558
A
Alexandria
Pop. 159,081
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Suffolk's history right.