With one of the fastest growing populations in the state and region, Suffolk continues to draw new residents from around the country. According to Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, University of Virginia, 93,825 call Suffolk home. This figure represents a robust 10.9% population percent increase since 2010, notably higher than the state average increase. In fact, it is projected that Suffolk will surpass 100,000 people mark before 2025.

Local workforce development resources supplement the labor force. The “Schools to Work Program” is a new workforce development initiative that began in 2018. Suffolk Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education department and Suffolk Economic Development aligned high school students with Suffolk businesses to create a relationship, increase exposure, educate the students and enforce the employment pipeline for the businesses.