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Bristol city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Bristol city, Tennessee has a total population of 27,490, the 28th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $55,007, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.1%.

Bristol city Quick Facts

Population 27,490
Median Household Income $55,007
Median Home Value $182,500
Poverty Rate 14.1%
Unemployment Rate 7.2%
Median Age 41.9 years
Homeownership Rate 66.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.8%
High School Graduation Rate 92.3%
Diversity Index 20/100
Population 27,490 28th of 504
Median Income $55,007 average
Poverty Rate 14.1% 13% higher national
Median Home Value $182,500 average

How Bristol city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.2% Unemployment Rate State: 4.7% | National: 5.2%
59.7% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.3%
Renter 33.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

20out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 46 | National average: 60

Education

Bristol city Rankings in Tennessee

#28 Population of 504
#244 Median Income of 504
#105 Education of 504
#220 Home Value of 504

Explore Tennessee Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Bristol city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Shelbyville city24,125$52,290$224,70011.6%20.3%
Morristown city30,983$44,811$155,70014.8%25.4%
East Ridge city22,034$55,988$182,50023.1%14.8%
Oak Ridge city32,088$71,000$233,50039.4%13.0%
Cookeville city35,544$48,501$263,80035.4%21.9%

Population Overview

Bristol city is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee. The total population is 27,490. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bristol city is 41.9 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bristol city is $55,007. This is 18% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.1%. This is 2% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $182,500. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bristol city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.3%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bristol city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Tennessee city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Bristol city, Tennessee?

Bristol city, Tennessee has a population of 27,490 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Bristol city, TN?

The median household income in Bristol city is $55,007, which is 30% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Bristol city, TN?

The poverty rate in Bristol city is 14.1%. This means approximately 3,809 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Bristol city, Tennessee?

Bristol city's population is 89.3% White, 2.6% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Bristol city, TN?

The median home value in Bristol city is $182,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is Bristol city, Tennessee?

29.8% of adults (25+) in Bristol city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.