Bristol, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bristol, Tennessee had a total population of 27,636, the 28th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $58,162, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Bristol Quick Facts
How Bristol Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,490 | 27,636 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $55,007 | $58,162 | +5.7% |
| Median home value | $182,500 | $194,500 | +6.6% |
How Bristol Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bristol Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Sullivan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | 20.3% | $268,200 |
| Kingsport | 56,262 | $52,490 | 20.7% | $234,100 |
| Bloomingdale | 9,292 | $52,317 | 25.7% | $165,500 |
| Spurgeon | 4,071 | $64,250 | 21.9% | $219,300 |
| Blountville | 3,309 | $54,754 | 8.3% | $177,300 |
| Colonial Heights | 3,258 | $80,148 | 4.7% | $217,100 |
| Walnut Hill | 2,415 | $51,742 | 5.9% | $219,900 |
| Bluff City | 2,225 | $61,059 | 15.3% | $157,400 |
| Sullivan Gardens | 1,267 | $46,754 | 8.0% | $194,800 |
| Orebank | 816 | $67,740 | 12.5% | $185,100 |
Cities Similar to Bristol
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbyville | 24,661 | $55,073 | $244,000 | 13.1% | 20.7% |
| Morristown | 31,527 | $47,917 | $181,100 | 15.0% | 26.0% |
| East Ridge | 22,070 | $62,247 | $211,100 | 24.2% | 13.1% |
| Oak Ridge | 32,693 | $72,311 | $270,200 | 40.2% | 12.2% |
| Tullahoma | 21,103 | $60,979 | $251,900 | 26.7% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
Bristol is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee, within Sullivan County. The total population is 27,636. It ranks as the 28th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bristol is 41.1 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bristol is $58,162. This is 16% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.6%. This is 1% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $194,500. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Bristol has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.3%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
30.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bristol, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bristol, Tennessee?
Bristol, Tennessee has a population of 27,636 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bristol, TN?
The median household income in Bristol is $58,162, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bristol, TN?
The poverty rate in Bristol is 13.6%. This means approximately 3,694 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bristol, Tennessee?
Bristol's population is 89.5% White, 3.1% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bristol, TN?
The median home value in Bristol is $194,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Bristol, Tennessee?
30.6% of adults (25+) in Bristol hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.