Bristol, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bristol, Virginia had a total population of 16,849, the 82nd largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $50,404, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 17,024 | 16,849 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $44,706 | $50,404 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $168,700 | $184,100 | +9.1% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bristol Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radford | 16,726 | $57,348 | $220,700 | 37.9% | 28.7% |
| Front Royal | 15,296 | $64,838 | $314,400 | 18.8% | 14.3% |
| East Highland Park | 15,265 | $64,681 | $229,200 | 26.9% | 12.8% |
| Hollins | 17,097 | $77,456 | $244,300 | 26.1% | 8.8% |
| Highland Springs | 14,296 | $57,599 | $227,300 | 23.0% | 19.0% |
Population Overview
Bristol is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 16,849. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bristol is 43.4 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.8% 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 is $50,404. This is 46% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $184,100. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bristol is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 18.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bristol, Virginia 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 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Virginia city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bristol, Virginia?
Bristol, Virginia has a population of 16,849 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bristol, VA?
The median household income in Bristol is $50,404, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bristol, VA?
The poverty rate in Bristol is 17.9%. This means approximately 2,971 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bristol, Virginia?
Bristol's population is 84.5% White, 5.8% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bristol, VA?
The median home value in Bristol is $184,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Bristol, Virginia?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Bristol hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.