Bristol city, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Bristol city, Virginia Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Bristol city, Virginia has a total population of 17,024, the 79th largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $44,706, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.3%.

Key Takeaways

Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.

Bristol city Quick Facts

Population 17,024

Median Household Income $44,706

Median Home Value $168,700

Poverty Rate 18.3%

Unemployment Rate 4.4%

Median Age 42.6 years

Homeownership Rate 63.1%

Affordability Ratio 3.8x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 23.9%

High School Graduation Rate 89.5%

Diversity Index 26/100

Population 17,024 79th of 681

Median Income $44,706 bottom 20%

Poverty Rate 18.3% 47% higher national

Median Home Value $168,700 bottom 30%

How Bristol city Compares

Median Household Income

Bristol city

$44,706

$90,974

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Bristol city

$168,700

$360,700

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 26.4%

$25K-$50K 28.5%

$50K-$100K 24.4%

$100K+ 20.7%

Employment

4.4% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3% | National: 5.2%

55.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 63.1%

Renter 36.9%

Affordability Index Affordable

3.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

20.2%

18-34

18.9%

35-54

25.1%

55-74

25.2%

75+

10.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Low Diversity

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

State average: 60 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Bristol city Rankings in Virginia

#79 Population of 681

#488 Median Income of 681

#374 Education of 681

#414 Home Value of 681

Explore Virginia 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.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Radford city	16,505	$52,791	$211,700	39.8%	33.7%
Highland Springs CDP	15,091	$56,931	$206,300	19.5%	16.7%
Hollins CDP	17,005	$73,588	$227,900	24.1%	8.4%
Martinsville city	13,584	$42,434	$92,500	21.3%	21.8%
East Highland Park CDP	16,071	$69,750	$210,500	25.2%	12.1%

Population Overview

Bristol city is a small city located in Virginia, within Bristol city. The total population is 17,024. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 681 cities and towns in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bristol city is 42.6 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 10.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bristol city is $44,706. This is 51% lower than the state median of $90,974. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.3%. This is 84% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $168,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $360,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 63.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bristol city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 6.7%. The Black or African American population (6.7%) is well below the state average of 18.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 6.8%.

Education

23.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 41.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bristol city, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Bristol city, Virginia?

Bristol city, Virginia has a population of 17,024 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in Bristol city is $44,706, which is 43% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Bristol city, VA?

The poverty rate in Bristol city is 18.3%. This means approximately 3,057 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Bristol city, Virginia?

Bristol city's population is 85.3% White, 6.7% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.

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

The median home value in Bristol city is $168,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.

How educated is Bristol city, Virginia?

23.9% of adults (25+) in Bristol city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.