Bristol, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Bristol is a small city in Tennessee with a population of 27,490. Residents earn $55,007 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
27,490 Population 840/sq mi density
$55,007 Median Income $34,650 per capita
$182,500 Home Value $229,074 Zillow
$764 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
459 Violent Crime/100K 3,635 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$55,007 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$182,500 home value, $764/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
459 violent crimes/100K (21% above avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,007
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $182,500
35% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 459/100K
21% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.8%
12% lower than US avg
Median Rent $764
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.1%
19% lower than US avg

How Bristol Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population27,490
Median Age41.9 yrs
Density840/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,007
Per Capita$34,650
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty10.1%
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$182,500
Rent$764
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$229,074

Crime

F
Violent459/100K
Property3,635/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault413/100K
Burglary560/100K

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.5%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.9 in/yr
Elevation1,588 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.8%
High School+92.3%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute20 min
EV Stations11
Libraries1

Is Bristol a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bristol receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Bristol offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bristol is $55,007, 27% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bristol is $182,500, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $764 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 459 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,635 per 100,000, 85% above the national average.

Education

29.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Bristol experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.9 inches, including 12.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bristol has a population of 27,490 with a density of 840 people per square mile. The median age is 41.9 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.7%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 2.6% Black.

Population

27,490
Total Population
840
People / sq mi
41.9yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
32.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bristol vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bristol vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bristol is $55,007, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Bristol vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,007
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,650
Avg Weekly Wage$902
IRS Avg AGI$51,868

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.1%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)614

Business (County)

Restaurants77
Healthcare54
Retail127
Manufacturing18

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,490
28% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Work from Home10.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Bristol is $182,500, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $764 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $229,074.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$182,500
35% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$229,074
Median List Price$265,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$265,500
$/Sq Ft$160
Homes Sold33
Sale-to-List Ratio97.0%
Price Drops24.7%
Inventory142

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$764
34% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,391

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,490
28% above US avg
Effective Rate2.46%
In Bristol, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.5% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bristol vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure35.6%
Asthma11.5%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.6%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression32.5%
Mental Distress21.4%
Physical Distress15.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.9%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death12,793/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access91.2%
Healthcare Facilities54
Bristol has a violent crime rate of 459 per 100,000 residents, 21% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,635 per 100,000 (85% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bristol vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent458.6/100K
21% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape18.8/100K
Robbery26.3/100K
Assault413.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,634.9/100K
85% above US avg
Burglary560.1/100K
Theft2,860.6/100K
Vehicle Theft214.3/100K
Arson3.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bristol has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.9 inches
21% above US avg
Snowfall12.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,588 ft (484 m)
Area32.7 sq mi (84.7 km²)
Population Density840/sq mi
Coordinates36.5585°N, 82.2170°W
County FIPS51520
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 29.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.5%
D 29.8%

Winner: Republican by 39.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.8%
12% below US avg
High School+92.3%
School Test Score5.08
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density840/sq mi
Total Area32.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations11
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities54
Restaurants77
Retail Stores127

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Work from Home10.8%

Nearby Cities

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