2023 Suffolk city, Virginia Demographics | Data & Analysis

Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering Suffolk city, Virginia, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.

Suffolk city, Virginia Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
96,638
Median Age
38.7 years
Median Household Income
$90,089
Bachelor's Degree+
32.42%
Uninsured Rate
6.2%
Total Households
37,133
Total Workers
44,856
Citizenship Rate
98.3%
Total Veterans
11,283
Top Veteran Era
Post-9/11 + Gulf War
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Families in Poverty
1,971
SNAP Recipients
11.16%
Households w/ SNAP
4,144

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of Suffolk city, Virginia by age group and gender, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of Suffolk city, Virginia is 96,638. The median age of the population in Suffolk city, Virginia is 38.7 years. The median age for males is 37.5 years, and for females it is 39.7 years.

The age distribution of the population in Suffolk city, Virginia by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 6.29%
5–17 years (children) 17.39%
18–24 years (young adults) 7.90%
25–34 years 13.36%
35–54 years 26.45%
55–64 years 13.61%
65 years and over (seniors) 15.00%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in Suffolk city, Virginia

The total dependency ratio in Suffolk city, Virginia is 63.06. The youth dependency ratio is 38.60, and the old-age dependency ratio is 24.46. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated ZIP Codes in Suffolk city, Virginia, including Suffolk (23434) (52,556), Chesapeake (23323) (43,383), and Suffolk (23435) (33,401).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Suffolk city, Virginia?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for Suffolk city, Virginia
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of Suffolk city, Virginia is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for Suffolk city, Virginia is calculated at 60.64, suggesting a high level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of Suffolk city, Virginia by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 46.50%
Black/African American Alone 41.54%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 4.95%
Two or More Races 4.39%
Asian Alone 1.89%
Some Other Race Alone 0.66%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.07%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.00%

Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in Suffolk city, Virginia over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2023 inflation, was $90,089. This figure is based on a total of 37,133 households.

The distribution of household income in Suffolk city, Virginia across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 9.47%
$20,000 to $34,999 9.00%
$35,000 to $49,999 8.10%
$50,000 to $74,999 16.27%
$75,000 to $149,999 34.06%
$150,000 or more 23.10%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the ZIP Codes with the highest median household income in Suffolk city, Virginia, explore the data for: Suffolk (23435) ($107,833), Chesapeake (23323) ($105,912), and Suffolk (23434) ($75,798).


Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Suffolk city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Suffolk city, Virginia is based on a total of 26,127 properties.

The property value distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 2.39%
$25,000 to $49,999 1.18%
$50,000 to $99,999 2.27%
$100,000 to $199,999 9.99%
$200,000 to $499,999 70.19%
$500,000 to $999,999 13.36%
$1,000,000 or more 0.62%

Educational Attainment in Suffolk city, Virginia (2023 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in Suffolk city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in Suffolk city, Virginia, totaling 66,126 individuals.

91.77% of Suffolk city, Virginia population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 32.42%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 8.23%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 26.06%
Some college or associate's degree 33.29%
Bachelor's Degree 19.88%
Graduate or professional degree 12.55%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in Suffolk city, Virginia?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in Suffolk city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for Suffolk city, Virginia shows that 6.2% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 5,773 individuals out of a total population of 93,073 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 15.3% for males and 12.4% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 7.3% of males and 4.6% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In Suffolk city, Virginia, uninsured rates for children are 4.3% for males and 4.8% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.0% for males and 0.8% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 4.3% 4.8%
18-34 years 15.3% 12.4%
35-64 years 7.3% 4.6%
65+ years 0.0% 0.8%

Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Suffolk city, Virginia based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for Suffolk city, Virginia shows that 98.3% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 95,009 individuals out of a total population of 96,638 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 94.0% were born in the United States, 0.5% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 1.4% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 2.3% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (2,235 individuals), while 1.7% are non-citizens (1,629 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 94.0%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 0.5%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 1.4%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 2.3%
Not a U.S. citizen 1.7%
Total U.S. Citizens 98.3%

Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for Suffolk city, Virginia show that 87.9% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 41,206 workers out of a total workforce of 46,854 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 0.2% (89 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (1.2%) and bicycling (0.2%).

9.3% of workers in Suffolk city, Virginia report working from home. An additional 1.1% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 87.9% 41,206
Public transportation 0.2% 89
Bicycle 0.2% 81
Walked 1.2% 581
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 1.1% 529
Worked from home 9.3% 4,368
Total Workers - 46,854

Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in Suffolk city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Suffolk city, Virginia totals 44,856 workers. Of these, 22,593 (50.4%) are male and 22,263 (49.6%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in Suffolk city, Virginia is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 15,359 (34.2%) 13,583 (30.3%)
Private Non-Profit 1,308 (2.9%) 2,407 (5.4%)
Government (All Levels) 5,119 (11.4%) 5,071 (11.3%)
  • Local Government 1,525 2,205
  • State Government 580 1,191
  • Federal Government 3,014 1,675
Self-Employed 765 (1.7%) 1,144 (2.6%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of Suffolk city, Virginia.


Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in Suffolk city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 11,283 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in Suffolk city, Virginia.

The largest group of veterans served during Post-9/11 + Gulf War, accounting for 2,728 veterans (24.2% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Post-9/11 Only, with 2,580 veterans (22.9%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in Suffolk city, Virginia is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 2,728 24.2%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 2,580 22.9%
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 1,922 17.0%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 1,841 16.3%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 1,504 13.3%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 315 2.8%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 254 2.3%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 80 0.7%
Vietnam Era and Korean War 33 0.3%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 20 0.2%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 6 0.1%
Total Veterans 11,283 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Suffolk city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 25,673 families in Suffolk city, Virginia.

Of these families, 1,971 (7.7%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 6,596 families (25.7%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 17,106 families (66.6%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in Suffolk city, Virginia is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 909 3.5%
50-74% of Poverty 388 1.5%
75-99% of Poverty 674 2.6%
100-124% of Poverty 538 2.1%
125-149% of Poverty 789 3.1%
150-174% of Poverty 761 3.0%
175-184% of Poverty 312 1.2%
185-199% of Poverty 564 2.2%
200-299% of Poverty 3,632 14.1%
300-399% of Poverty 3,371 13.1%
400-499% of Poverty 3,106 12.1%
500%+ of Poverty 10,629 41.4%
Total Families 25,673 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


Suffolk city, Virginia 2023 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in Suffolk city, Virginia, based on 2023 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 37,133 total households in Suffolk city, Virginia. Of these, 4,144 households (11.16%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 2,025 (48.87%) have children under 18 years, while 2,119 (51.13%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2023
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 441 (10.64%) 372 (8.98%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 234 (5.65%) 219 (5.28%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 1,350 (32.58%) 510 (12.31%)
Nonfamily Households 0 (0.00%) 1,018 (24.57%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in Suffolk city, Virginia. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of Suffolk city, Virginia is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years6.29%
5–17 years (children)17.39%
18–24 years (young adults)7.90%
25–34 years13.36%
35–54 years26.45%
55–64 years13.61%
65 years and over (seniors)15.00%

The racial and ethnic composition of Suffolk city, Virginia is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 46.50%, Black/African American Alone: 41.54%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 4.95%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Suffolk city, Virginia is $90,089. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Suffolk city, Virginia is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 9.47%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 9.00%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 8.10%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 16.27%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 34.06%, High Income ($150,000+): 23.10%.

Approximately 44.22% of households in Suffolk city, Virginia earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Suffolk city, Virginia is: Less than $25,000: 2.39%, $25,000-$49,999: 1.18%, $50,000-$99,999: 2.27%, $100,000-$199,999: 9.99%, $200,000-$499,999: 70.19%, $500,000-$999,999: 13.36%, $1,000,000 or more: 0.62%.

There are 26,127 owner-occupied housing units in Suffolk city, Virginia. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 13.98% of owner-occupied housing units in Suffolk city, Virginia are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 32.42% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Suffolk city, Virginia (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 8.23%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 26.06%, Some college or associate's degree: 33.29%, Bachelor's degree: 19.88%, Graduate or professional degree: 12.55%.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 91.77% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 6.2% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 5,773 individuals out of a total population of 93,073 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Suffolk city, Virginia. For young adults (18-34 years), 15.3% of males and 12.4% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 7.3% of males and 4.6% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Suffolk city, Virginia have uninsured rates of 4.3% for males and 4.8% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.0% for males and 0.8% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 98.3% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 96,638 people, 95,009 are U.S. citizens.

Suffolk city, Virginia has 2,235 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 2.3% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Suffolk city, Virginia is: 94.0% were born in the United States, 0.5% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 1.4% were born abroad of American parent(s), 2.3% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 1.7% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 87.9% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 46,854 total workers, 41,206 use personal vehicles for their commute.

89 workers in Suffolk city, Virginia use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.2% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Suffolk city, Virginia include: 9.3% work from home, 1.2% walk to work, 0.2% bicycle, and 1.1% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Suffolk city, Virginia. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Suffolk city, Virginia has 44,856 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 34.2% of male workers and 30.3% of female workers in this category.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, there are 5,119 male government workers and 5,071 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 11.4% of male workers and 11.3% of female workers.

Self-employment in Suffolk city, Virginia includes 765 males (1.7%) and 1,144 females (2.6%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 4,144 households (11.16% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 37,133 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Suffolk city, Virginia, 2,025 (48.87%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Suffolk city, Virginia include diverse household types. Among households with children, 1,350 (32.58%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 441 (10.64%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Suffolk city, Virginia, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 11,283 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Suffolk city, Virginia. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Suffolk city, Virginia is Post-9/11 + Gulf War, with 2,728 veterans (24.2% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Post-9/11 Only, with 2,580 veterans (22.9%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Suffolk city, Virginia provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 79.7% of all veterans in Suffolk city, Virginia. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 8,988 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 1,971 families (7.7% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 25,673 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Suffolk city, Virginia, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Suffolk city, Virginia has 6,596 families (25.7%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 2,088 families (8.1%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Suffolk city, Virginia, 909 families (3.5%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 17,106 families (66.6%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.