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50-507: The river begins at the outlet of Lake Meade north of downtown Suffolk , which had historically marked the northern boundary of the city. The Nansemond River Light once signaled the river's confluence with the James. The Nansemond River Bridge , once a toll bridge and part of U.S. Route 17 , crosses the river near its mouth. Two other bridges cross the river, one from downtown Suffolk and one on Route 58 . The Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge

100-747: A duopoly over all transcontinental freight rail lines in the Western United States, while CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway operate most of the trackage in the Eastern United States, with the Mississippi River being the rough dividing line. Canadian National Railway (via its subsidiary Grand Trunk Corporation ) operates north–south lines near the Mississippi River. Canadian Pacific Kansas City , doing business as CPKC, runs from southern Canada, then goes south through

150-476: A company that has earned gross revenues exceeding $ 250 million (CAD) for each of the previous two years. Class I railroads are the largest rail carriers in the United States. In 1900, there were 132 Class I railroads, but as the result of mergers and bankruptcies, the industry has consolidated and as of April 2023 , just six Class I freight railroads remain. BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad have

200-445: A family was $ 47,342. Males had a median income of $ 35,852 versus $ 23,777 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,836. About 10.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over. As of 2005, the city's median income jumped to $ 60,484. A number of government-related, contractor high-tech jobs had developed with new businesses in

250-512: A major peanut processing center and railroad and highway transportation hub. It hosts a diverse combination of industrial, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and hospitality businesses, as well as active farming. In 2002, the new Louise Obici Memorial Hospital was completed and dedicated. It was acquired in 2005 by the Sentara Health System . Planters' Peanuts has been a major employer, now owned by Kraft Foods . Each fall since 1977,

300-538: A quarterly or annual schedule. In 1925, the ICC reported 174 Class I railroads, 282 Class II railroads, and 348 Class III railroads. The $ 1 million criterion established in 1911 for a Class I railroad was used until January 1, 1956, when the figure was increased to $ 3 million. In 1956, the ICC counted 113 Class I line-haul operating railroads (excluding "3 class I companies in systems") and 309 Class II railroads (excluding "3 class II companies in systems"). The Class III category

350-511: A state of emergency and directed state agencies to assist the recovery and cleanup efforts. Police officers and firefighters from across Hampton Roads were sent to Suffolk to help in a quarantine and cleanup of the damaged areas. On May 1, the state estimated property damages at $ 20 million. Video of the tornado. Suffolk Public Schools, the local public school system, operates 12 elementary schools , four middle schools , three high schools , and one alternative school. Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

400-886: Is WHRO-TV 15. Suffolk residents also can receive independent stations, such as WSKY broadcasting on channel 4 from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and WGBS-LD broadcasting on channel 11 from Hampton . Suffolk is served by Charter Communications. The City of Suffolk Media & Community Relations Department operates Municipal Channel 8 on the local Charter Cable television system. Programming includes television coverage of many City activities and events, including live Government-access television (GATV) broadcasts of all regular City Council meetings, and special features including "On The Scene", "Suffolk Seniorcize", and "Suffolk Business Today". DirecTV and Dish Network are also popular as an alternative to cable television in Suffolk. Suffolk

450-646: Is Isle of Wight County, where a county facility called Nike Park includes a bike trail approximately 2 1 ⁄ 2 miles in a loop. Suffolk was initially a port at the head of navigation of the Nansemond River . The Nansemond flows into the James River near its mouth and the ice-free harbor of Hampton Roads . The two railroads completed through Suffolk before the American Civil War were later joined by four more. These were eventually consolidated during

500-743: Is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit established to promote international relationships as directed by Suffolk City Council through its appointed Suffolk Sister Cities Commission. Its membership is open to all who are interested in fostering the goals of the organization. SSCI and its international youth association, SIYA, have won national awards for Youth and Education and for the Best Overall Program for cities with populations less than 100,000. Suffolk's boundaries include many rural areas and towns, as well central Suffolk itself. For historic districts throughout Suffolk, see National Register of Historic Places listings in Suffolk, Virginia . The climate in this area

550-829: Is a private college preparatory school located on Pruden Blvd. Paul D. Camp Community College has a campus in Suffolk. Suffolk's early growth depended on its waterfront location, with access to the waterways for power and transportation. Subsequent transportation infrastructure upgraded its connections with other markets. These continue to be major factors in the 21st century. The Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge includes dozens of miles of trails accessible via White Marsh Road at Washington Ditch and other entry sites. Additional bike trails can be found at Lone Star Lakes City Park off Godwin Blvd. This city park provides over 4 miles (6.4 km) of rock trails. There are many rural roads with light traffic available for road riding. Adjacent to Suffolk

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600-686: Is an independent city in Virginia , United States. As of 2020, the population was 94,324. It is the 10th-most populous city in Virginia , the largest city in Virginia by boundary land area as well as the 14th-largest in the country . Suffolk is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. This also includes the independent cities of Chesapeake , Hampton , Newport News , Norfolk , Portsmouth , and Virginia Beach , and smaller cities, counties, and towns of Hampton Roads. With miles of waterfront property on

650-410: Is called 'The Lighthouse'. Raytheon won a DoD contract to manufacture 'Miniature Air-Launched Decoy Jammers'(MALD-J), which it has been producing with Cobham Composite Products: 202 vehicles for a price of $ 81 million. The U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) facility, near the intersection of US 17 and Interstate 664, has resulted in a growth in defense contracting and high-tech jobs since 1999. Through

700-569: Is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Suffolk has a humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Class 1 railroad Railroad classes are the system by which freight railroads are designated in the United States . Railroads are assigned to Class I, II or III according to annual revenue criteria originally set by

750-598: Is customary among Virginia's independent cities . Since the Byrd Road Act of 1932 created Virginia's Secondary Roads System, the state maintains the roads in most counties and towns. An exception was made by the General Assembly when the former Nansemond County became an independent city and consolidated Suffolk in the 1970s. The state maintained the primary and secondary routes in Suffolk until July 1, 2006. The Monitor–Merrimac Memorial Bridge–Tunnel connects Suffolk to

800-450: Is divided politically into seven boroughs , one corresponding to the former city of Suffolk and one corresponding to each of the six magisterial districts of the former Nansemond County . The boroughs are Chuckatuck , Cypress, Holy Neck, Nansemond , Sleepy Hole, Suffolk, and Whaleyville . In 1981, the county of Suffolk in England became Suffolk's first sister city as a result of

850-472: Is located along the river. 36°53′55.9″N 76°28′25.1″W  /  36.898861°N 76.473639°W  / 36.898861; -76.473639 This City of Suffolk, Virginia state location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to a river in Virginia is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Suffolk, Virginia Suffolk ( locally / ˈ s ʌ f ʊ k / SUF -uuk )

900-594: Is served by a variety of radio stations on the AM and FM dials, with towers located around the Hampton Roads area. Suffolk is also served by several television stations. The Hampton Roads designated market area (DMA) is the 42nd largest in the U.S. with 712,790 homes (0.64% of the total U.S.). The major network television affiliates are WTKR-TV 3 ( CBS ), WAVY 10 ( NBC ), WVEC-TV 13 ( ABC ), WGNT 27 ( CW ), WTVZ 33 ( MyNetworkTV ), WVBT 43 ( FOX ), and WPXV 49 ( ION Television ). The Public Broadcasting Service station

950-886: The Association of American Railroads as "Regional Railroads" are typically Class II. Some examples of Class II railroads would be the Florida East Coast Railway , the Iowa Interstate Railroad , and the Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway . Class III railroads are typically local shortline railroads serving a small number of towns and industries or hauling cars for one or more railroads; often, they once had been branch lines of larger railroads or even abandoned portions of main lines. Some Class III railroads are owned by railroad holding companies such as Genesee & Wyoming or Watco . Some examples of Class III railroads would be

1000-695: The Kings Highway Bridge (circa 1928) across the Nansemond River on State Route 125 . VDOT closed it in 2005 for safety reasons. About 3,300 motorists a day used the bridge that connected Chuckatuck and Driver . The closure forced detours of as much as 19 miles (31 km). The cost of a new bridge for the King's Highway crossing is estimated at $ 48 million, far more than could be recovered through collection of tolls at that location. In 2007, VDOT announced that it would contract for demolition and removal of

1050-473: The Nansemond and James rivers, present-day Suffolk was formed in 1974 after consolidating with Nansemond County and the towns of Holland and Whaleyville . The current mayor (as of 2021) is Mike Duman. Prior to colonization , the region was inhabited by the indigenous Nansemond people . The settlement of Suffolk was established in 1742 by Virginian colonists as a port town on the Nansemond River . It

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1100-722: The Surface Transportation Board in 1992. With annual adjustments for inflation, the 2019 thresholds were US$ 504,803,294 for Class I carriers and US$ 40,384,263 for Class II carriers. (Smaller carriers were Class III by default.) There are six Class I freight railroad companies in the United States: BNSF Railway , CSX Transportation , Canadian National Railway , CPKC , Norfolk Southern Railway , and Union Pacific Railroad . Canadian National also operates in Canada and CPKC operates in Canada and Mexico. In addition,

1150-576: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 429 square miles (1,110 km ), of which 400 square miles (1,000 km ) is land and 29 square miles (75 km ) (6.7%) is water. It is the largest city in Virginia by land area and second largest by total area. Part of the Great Dismal Swamp is located in Suffolk. As of the census of 2010, there were 84,585 people, 23,283 households, and 17,718 families residing in

1200-527: The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation . Suffolk is served by U.S. Highways 17 , 13 , 58 , 258 , and 460 . Interstate 664 , part of the Hampton Roads Beltway , crosses through the northeastern edge of the city. State Route 10 is also a major highway in the area. In 2006, Suffolk assumed control of its road system from the Virginia Department of Transportation , which

1250-455: The City of Suffolk hosts Suffolk Festivals Incorporated's annual Peanut Fest. Other large employers in the City of Suffolk include Unilever , Lipton Tea , Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group , Wal-Mart , Target , QVC , and two major modeling and simulation companies, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon . Lockheed Martin built its "Center for Innovation" around a lighthouse in Suffolk, for which the campus

1300-683: The Hampton Roads economy in general and (more specifically), on the future of related businesses located in the Harborview section of Suffolk. In August 2011 JFCOM was disestablished. But many critical JFCOM functions, such as joint training, joint exercises, and joint development were retained in the buildings vacated by JFCOM, under the auspices of the Joint Staff J7 Directorate, referred to as either "Pentagon South" or "Joint and Coalition Warfighting". By summer 2013, city officials expected

1350-419: The ICC in 1996, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has become responsible for defining criteria for each railroad class. The STB continues to use designations of Class II and Class III as there are different labor regulations for the two classes. The bounds are typically redefined every several years to adjust for inflation and other factors. Class II and Class III designations are now rarely used outside

1400-442: The ICC to increase the minimum annual operating revenue criteria (then established at US$ 93.5 million) to avoid being redesignated as Class I, which would have resulted in increased administrative and legal costs. The Class II maximum criterion was increased in 1992 to $ 250 million annually, which resulted in the Florida East Coast Railway having its status changed to Class II. The thresholds set in 1992 were: Since dissolution of

1450-607: The Naval Network Warfare Command, NNWC Global Network Operations Center Detachment, Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command and Navy Cyber Forces to occupy buildings vacated by JFCOM. These commands have been considered a boon to north Suffolk, bringing an estimated 1,000 additional employees, counting military, civilians and contractors, with an estimated annual payroll of $ 88.9 million. The buildup in these defense functions resulted in Suffolk's median income increasing markedly in this period. Suffolk's daily newspapers are

1500-487: The Suffolk 2026 Comprehensive Plan, the city plans to bypass the crossroads community of Whaleyville in southwestern Suffolk City. US 13 (along with NC Highway 11 ) is a strategic highway corridor in North Carolina toward Greenville . The City of Suffolk operates Suffolk Transit , which provides local bus service. Two connections to Hampton Roads Transit buses are also available. In modern times, Suffolk remains

1550-419: The average family size was 3.09. The age distribution was 27.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 87.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 41,115, and the median income for

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1600-806: The bridge. According to newspaper accounts, this was the first time in VDOT's history that it did not plan for a replacement facility. Virginia is reviewing proposals under a public-private partnership for a major realignment and upgrade of U.S. 460 from Suffolk west to Interstate 295 near Petersburg . In 1995, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Public-Private Transportation Act, allowing private entities to propose innovative solutions for designing, constructing, financing, and operating transportation improvements. The new roadway would be funded through collection of tolls . As part of

1650-537: The central United States to central Mexico. In addition, the national passenger railroads in the US and Canada— Amtrak and Via Rail —would both qualify as Class I if they were freight carriers. Mexico's Ferromex would qualify as a Class I railroad if it had trackage in the United States. A Class II railroad in the United States hauls freight and is mid-sized in terms of operating revenue. Switching and terminal railroads are excluded from Class II status. Railroads considered by

1700-530: The city's northern corridor, bringing in wealthier residents. Suffolk ranked a close second in median income to its neighbor Chesapeake in South Hampton Roads. The city was hit by an EF3 tornado which produced a large swath of extensive damage through the city and nearby communities during the late afternoon of April 28, 2008. After 4:00 PM EDT on April 28, a tornado touched down multiple times, causing damage and leaving more than 200 injured in Suffolk.

1750-425: The city. The population density was 159.2 inhabitants per square mile (61.5/km ). There were 24,704 housing units at an average density of 61.8 per square mile (23.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 50.1% White , 42.7% Black or African American , 0.3% Native American , 1.6% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.8% from other races , and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.9% of

1800-655: The county seat of Nansemond County in 1750. Early in its history, Suffolk became a land transportation gateway to the areas east of it in South Hampton Roads . Before the American Civil War , both the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad and the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad were built through Suffolk, early predecessors of 21st-century Class 1 railroads operated by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern , respectively. Other railroads and later major highways followed after

1850-426: The following decade, JFCOM employed a growing number of defense contractors until it reached over 3,000. By September 2010, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recommended to decommission JFCOM, as a matter of reallocating and rebalancing the U.S. Department of Defense budget, to better address changing needs and fiscal demands. The announcement led to speculation about the effects the loss of JFCOM would have on

1900-493: The independent city of Newport News on the Virginia Peninsula from South Hampton Roads . It is part of the Hampton Roads Beltway , a circumferential interstate highway that links the seven largest cities of Hampton Roads . Completed in 1992, it provided a third major vehicle crossing of the Hampton Roads harbor area and cost $ 400 million to build. The city and VDOT have had disputes over ownership and responsibility for

1950-568: The local Suffolk News-Herald , the Virginian-Pilot from Norfolk and the Daily Press of Newport News. Other papers include the New Journal and Guide , and Inside Business . Coastal Virginia Magazine serves as a bi-monthly regional magazine for Suffolk and the Hampton Roads area. Hampton Roads Times serves as an online magazine for all the Hampton Roads cities and counties. Suffolk

2000-545: The modern merger era of North American railroads which began around 1960. Suffolk was served by several passenger lines, concluding with Amtrak's Mountaineer , which ended in 1977. At least two former passenger stations are still standing, the Seaboard Coast Line station, now the Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, and the Norfolk and Western Railway station at 100 Hollady Street. The N&W station

2050-623: The national passenger railroad in the United States, Amtrak , would qualify as Class I if it were a freight carrier, as would Canada's Via Rail passenger service. Mexico 's Ferromex freight railroad would also qualify as Class I, but it does not operate within the United States. Initially (in 1911) the former federal agency Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) classified railroads by their annual gross revenue . Class I railroads had an annual operating revenue of at least $ 1 million, while Class III railroad incomes were under $ 100,000. Railroads in both classes were subject to reporting requirements on

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2100-586: The path of the storm passed north and west of the downtown area, striking near Sentara Obici Hospital and in the unincorporated town of Driver . The storm seriously damaged more than 120 homes and 12 businesses. The subdivisions of Burnett's Mill and Hillpoint Farms were severely damaged, as were several older historic structures in Driver. Near Driver, the large radio and television broadcast towers, which were located in an antenna farm serving most of Hampton Roads, were spared serious damage. Governor Tim Kaine declared

2150-531: The personal interest in the Sister Cities concept by Virginia's Governor, Mills E. Godwin. A native of the city, Governor Godwin believed that Sister Cities would benefit the community culturally and educationally. Suffolk's second sister city relationship with Oderzo, Italy, began in 1995 because of one man, Amedeo Obici. Mr. Obici was a native of Oderzo and the founder of Planters Nut and Chocolate Company in Suffolk. Suffolk Sister Cities International, Inc. (SSCI)

2200-409: The population. There were 23,283 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and

2250-420: The rail transport industry. The Association of American Railroads typically divides non–Class I companies into three categories: In the United States, the Surface Transportation Board categorizes rail carriers into Class I, Class II, and Class III based on the carrier's annual revenue. The thresholds, last adjusted for inflation in 2019, are: In Canada , a Class I rail carrier is defined (as of 2004 ) as

2300-569: The surrounding areas became a major agricultural industry for Suffolk. Notably, Planters' Peanuts was established in Suffolk beginning in 1912. Suffolk was the 'birthplace' of Mr. Peanut , the mascot of Planters' Peanuts. For many years, the call-letters of local AM radio station WLPM stood for W orld's L argest P eanut M arket. (WLPM's license was cancelled in 1996 ) Suffolk is located at 36°44′29″N 76°36′36″W  /  36.741347°N 76.609881°W  / 36.741347; -76.609881 (36.741347, −76.609881). According to

2350-498: The war. Suffolk became an incorporated town in 1808. Suffolk became a stop on the Atlantic and Danville Railway in 1890. In 1910, it incorporated as a city and separated from Nansemond County. However, it remained the seat of Nansemond County until 1972, when its former county became the independent city of Nansemond . In 1974, the independent cities of Suffolk and Nansemond merged under Suffolk's name and charter. Peanuts grown in

2400-542: Was dropped in 1956 but reinstated in 1978. By 1963, the number of Class I railroads had dropped to 102; cutoffs were increased to $ 5 million by 1965, to $ 10 million in 1976 and to $ 50 million in 1978, at which point only 41 railroads qualified as Class I. In a special move in 1979, all switching and terminal railroads were re-designated Class III — even those with Class I or Class II revenues. In early 1991, two Class II railroads, Montana Rail Link and Wisconsin Central , asked

2450-414: Was originally named Constant's Warehouse (for John Constant, one of the first founders of the settlement) before being renamed after Royal Governor of Virginia Sir William Gooch 's home county of the same name in England. During the colonial era , Virginian colonists in the region cultivated tobacco with enslaved labor as a cash crop , before transitioning to mixed farming . Suffolk was designated as

2500-704: Was used by Amtrak (as "Holiday Street" ) until 1977 when the Mountaineer was replaced by a bus connection to the Hilltopper . Currently, Amtrak's Northeast Regional between Norfolk and Petersburg passes by the N&;W station without stopping. Today, Suffolk is served by three freight railroads. It is located on a potential branch line for the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor between Petersburg, Virginia and South Hampton Roads , being studied by

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