Independent city · code 51800
Suffolk cityVirginia
Suffolk is an independent city in Virginia, originally founded in 1742 and named after Suffolk.
- Founded1742
- Named forSuffolk, England
- Land area399 sq mi + 30 sq mi water
- Population94,324 2020 Census
- Parcels mapped45,362 checked 15 October 2026
Where it is
Suffolk on the map of Virginia
Virginia has 133 counties and county equivalents, each with its own records office. Shapes with a page are links.
History
Founded in 1742
An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.
In 1910, Suffolk became an independent city of the second class, separated from Nansemond County. Between 1916 and 1928, Suffolk gained small areas from Nansemond County through three separate annexations. In 1944, Suffolk's status was upgraded from second class to first class. In 1974, Suffolk consolidated with the independent city of Nansemond, which was then eliminated.
- 1910Independent city separated Suffolk made an independent city, 2d class, from Nansemond (extinct).Nansemond separated· Dodson, Cities, "Suffolk"
- 1916Gained territory Independent city of Suffolk gained small area from Nansemond (extinct).from Nansemond· Bain, Annexation, [241]
- 1926Gained territory Independent city of Suffolk gained small area from Nansemond (extinct).from Nansemond· Bain, Annexation, [242]
- 1928Gained territory Independent city of Suffolk gained small area from Nansemond (extinct).from Nansemond· Bain, Annexation, [243]
- 1944Changed Independent city of Suffolk's status changed from 2d class to 1st class. · Dodson, Cities, "Suffolk"
- 1974Eliminated Independent cities of Suffolk and Nansemond were consolidated to form the independent city of Suffolk, 1st class; Nansemond eliminated. · Va. Acts 1973, ch. 367/pp. 516-533
Land and parcels
What the maps cover in Suffolk
Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.
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Parcels Good enough
Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 45,362 parcels from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Drawn for tax purposes: usually within a few feet of a survey, but not a survey.
checked 15 October 2026 -
Address points Official
One point per address, 53,368 in all from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM; VGIN moved from VITA to VDEM).
checked 14 October 2026 -
Buildings Reference
Roof outlines traced from aerial imagery from FEMA Response Geospatial Office with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Good for seeing what is on a lot; not accurate enough to set a fence from.
checked 18 October 2026
- Official
- from the office that keeps the record
- Good enough
- a reliable statewide or national copy
- Fallback
- a guide only; check the official record
- Missing
- nothing public found yet
People and land
Suffolk by the Census
Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 Census; US Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files. Not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rules and offices
Who to ask before you build, dig or sell
Official county pages only. We link to them; we do not copy them, because they change.
Inside a city or town, permits usually come from that city rather than the county.
Zoning and code
GIS and maps
County government
- County government
The official website of Suffolk city.
See your own lot on these maps
Open Suffolk city on Parcel Chart's free map and click your parcel. Save it with a free account; the full record of your place (site map, projects, documents) is Pro, in early access.
Questions
Common questions about Suffolk city
- When was Suffolk city founded?
- Suffolk city was founded in 1742, and named after Suffolk, England.
- Is there an online parcel map for Suffolk city?
- Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 45,362 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
- Has Suffolk city's boundary or name changed?
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 6 changes for Suffolk city. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 6 later changes, most of them small boundary adjustments, chiefly involving Nansemond County.
- Who issues building permits in Suffolk city?
- The county's page on building permits: PERMITS. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.
- Is my lot in a flood zone?
- We do not have flood maps for Suffolk city yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.
Nearby