Bristol, VA

Full City Profile · Virginia · Bristol city County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
17,024 Population 1,323/sq mi density
$44,706 Median Income $29,646 per capita
$168,700 Home Value $202,748 Zillow
$775 Median Rent 27.7% income on rent
55°F Avg Temperature
435 Violent Crime/100K 3,040 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$44,706 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$168,700 home value, $775/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
435 violent crimes/100K (15% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Bristol, VA

At a Glance

Median Income
$44,706
41% below
$29,646 per capita
Home Value
$168,700
40% below
Zillow: $202,748
Median Rent
$775/mo
33% below
27.7% of income on rent
Violent Crime
435/100K
15% above
3,040/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
23.9%
29% below
89.6% high school+
Unemployment
4.4%
22% above
14.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.6%
23% above
18.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
55°F

How Bristol Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Bristol's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
59%
Home Value
60%
Rent
67%
Poverty
119%
Bachelor's
71%
Unemployment
122%
Crime
115%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Bristol a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Bristol residents earn a median household income of $44,706 , which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $29,646. The unemployment rate stands at 4.4% (22% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 614 business establishments, including 77 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Bristol is $168,700 , 40% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $202,748. Median rent is $775/month, with 27.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 101.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1965.

Safety & Crime

Bristol reports 435 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 15% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,040/100K.

Education

23.9% of adults in Bristol hold a bachelor's degree or higher (29% below the national average). 89.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.4/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Bristol has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population17,024
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density1,323/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born1.0%
Veterans7.2%

Economy

B
Median Income$44,706
Per Capita$29,646
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty14.7%
Avg Weekly Wage$902

Housing

A+
Home Value$168,700
Rent$775
Ownership63.1%
Zillow$202,748
Housing Units8,671
Rent Burden27.7%

Crime

F
Violent435/100K
Property3,040/100K

Health

Obesity39.6%
Diabetes12.0%
Smoking18.9%
Heart Disease6.5%
Premature Death12,793/100K

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
Rain47.3 in/yr
Elevation1,799 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.9%
High School+89.6%
Graduate+11.0%
School Score5.4/10

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute18 min
Broadband76.0%
Internet Speed299 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries1

Did You Know?

Bristol was founded in 1856.
The median home in Bristol was built in 1965.
The nearest airport is Foothills Regional (63 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.482 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
21.1% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 299 Mbps.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.