Bristol, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Bristol is a small city in Virginia with a population of 17,024. Residents earn $44,706 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
17,024 Population 1,323/sq mi density
$44,706 Median Income $29,646 per capita
$168,700 Home Value $199,023 Zillow
$775 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
314 Violent Crime/100K 2,798 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$44,706 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$168,700 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
314 violent crimes/100K (18% below avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,706
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $168,700
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 314/100K
18% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.9%
29% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.7%
19% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17,024
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density1,323/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,706
Per Capita$29,646
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty14.7%
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$168,700
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$199,023

Crime

F
Violent314/100K
Property2,798/100K
Murder5.8/100K
Assault232/100K
Burglary290/100K

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.7%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain45.9 in/yr
Elevation1,799 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+89.6%
School Score5.42

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute18 min
EV Stations5
Libraries1

Is Bristol a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bristol receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. 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 $44,706, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. 14.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bristol is $168,700, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bristol is below the national average at 314 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,798 per 100,000, 43% above the national average.

Education

23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.4/10.

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 35.

Bristol has a population of 17,024 with a density of 1,323 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.9%), with 6.7% Black.

Population

17,024
Total Population
1,323
People / sq mi
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
12.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

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 $44,706, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Bristol vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,706
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,646
Avg Weekly Wage$902
IRS Avg AGI$51,868

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.7%
19% above 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 Rate2.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.4 min
Work from Home11.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Bristol is $168,700, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $199,023.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$168,700
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$199,023
Median List Price$250,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$250,000
$/Sq Ft$143
Homes Sold19
Sale-to-List Ratio97.0%
Price Drops21.2%
Inventory85

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,484

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$720
1 Bedroom$818
2 Bedrooms$1,044
3 Bedrooms$1,338
4 Bedrooms$1,464

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,490
28% above US avg
Effective Rate2.66%
In Bristol, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.7% report depression. 28.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure35.0%
Asthma11.7%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity28.5%
Depression27.7%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.3%
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 314 per 100,000 residents, 18% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,798 per 100,000 (43% above US avg). The murder rate is 5.8 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent313.5/100K
18% below US avg
Murder5.8/100K
8% below US avg
Rape29.0/100K
Robbery46.4/100K
Assault232.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,798.3/100K
43% above US avg
Burglary290.3/100K
Theft2,397.7/100K
Vehicle Theft110.3/100K
Arson5.8/100K

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 35.

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 Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,799 ft (548 m)
Area12.9 sq mi (33.3 km²)
Population Density1,323/sq mi
Coordinates36.6170°N, 82.1576°W
County FIPS51520
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 23.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% 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+23.9%
29% below US avg
High School+89.6%
School Test Score5.42
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,323/sq mi
Total Area12.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
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 Commute18.4 min
Work from Home11.2%

Nearby Cities

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