Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Suwa peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.
Government
Suwa has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 15 members.
Economy
The Suwa region is the leading industrial area of Nagano and was once known as "The Oriental Switzerland" in Japan for its highly developed precision machinery industry.<!----> Seiko Epson Corporation, a manufacturer of information-related equipment and Seiko timepieces, is headquartered in Suwa. The area is also a popular tourist destination, noted for its hot spring resorts.
Education
Suwa has seven public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools and one combined middle/high school operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education. The Japanese Red Cross Society Suwa School of Nursing is also located in the city.
Colégio Sal e Luz, a Brazilian school, was previously located in Suwa. It moved to Okaya.
Transportation
Railway
- 20px East Japan Railway Company - Chūō Main Line
Highway
- 24px|link=|alt=E20 Chūō Expressway
Sister cities
Suwa is twinned with:
- - Amboise, France, sister city since March 4, 1987
- - Kundl, Tirol, Austria