City · Tennessee
Bristol, Tennessee
Bristol, city, in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Bristol had 28,107 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 27,147 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 27,636 (±40). GEOID 4708540.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,107
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,147 · ACS 2020-2024: 27,636 ±40
Median household income
$58,162
±$6,856 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$194,500
±$12,232 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$842
±$99 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
Where is Bristol and what county is it in?
Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee. It covers 32.7 square miles of land, 830 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bristol is in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bristol, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 28,107 people lived in Bristol on July 1, 2025, up 3.7% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020 Census counted 27,147 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 27,636 (±40).
| Measure | Bristol | Sullivan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 27,636 ±40 | 160,624 | +784 |
| Households | 12,119 ±508 | 68,907 | +669 |
| Average household size | 2.23 ±0.09 | 2.30 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,263 ±466 | 76,324 | no clear change |
Bristol's population since 2000
From 24,821 in 2000 to 28,107 in 2025: up 13.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bristol as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bristol?
The median resident of Bristol is 41.1 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.5%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bristol | Sullivan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 ±3.1 | 45.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2% ±2.0 pts | 19.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5% ±1.5 pts | 22.2% | – |
| Male | 46.7% ±2.1 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.3% ±1.0 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.5% ±1.6 pts | 91.6% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.1% ±0.8 pts | 2.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5% ±1.0 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4% ±0.9 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0% ±1.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4% ±1.8 pts | 18.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.5% ±1.5 pts | 8.9% | −2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5% ±1.4 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.6% ±3.2 pts | 26.8% | +5.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.1% ±1.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.4% ±2.3 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.8% ±1.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bristol earn?
Half of Bristol's 12,119 households earn less than $58,162 a year (±$6,856), against $58,807 in Sullivan County and $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $51,701 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bristol | Sullivan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,162 ±$6,856 | $58,807 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,947 ±$6,147 | $82,467 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,687 ±$2,386 | $35,877 | +$5,713 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.6% ±2.6 pts | 15.4% | −7.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.7% ±6.8 pts | 26.0% | −11.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.8% ±2.6 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.9% ±1.3 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.3% ±2.7 pts | 88.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bristol?
Owners occupy 67.4% of Bristol's occupied homes and renters 32.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $194,500 by its owner (±$12,232). The median renter pays $842 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bristol | Sullivan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $194,500 ±$12,232 | $213,300 | +$30,079 |
| Median gross rent | $842 ±$99 | $889 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8% ±8.0 pts | 35.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,235 ±$64 | $1,290 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.4% ±3.5 pts | 72.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.6% ±3.5 pts | 27.9% | – |
| Housing units | 13,263 ±466 | 76,324 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.4% ±4.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.9% ±3.5 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.6% ±1.9 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.1% ±1.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.4% ±2.3 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.2% ±1.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bristol building?
Builders took permits for 127 new housing units in Bristol in 2025 (108 in single-family houses), 4.5 per 1,000 residents against 5.9 across Tennessee.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bristol work and get to work?
79.1% of Bristol's workers drive alone and 12.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Bristol | Sullivan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.8% ±2.3 pts | 56.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% ±2.3 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1% ±2.4 pts | 79.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.2% ±1.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.9% ±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.1% ±1.9 pts | 10.6% | +8.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min ±1.8 | 21.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bristol?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Bristol, and 6 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $39,658 (Tract 427.03) to $82,105 (Tract 429).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 429Sullivan County | 4,694 | $82,105 |
| Tract 428.02Sullivan County | 4,217 | $53,382 |
| Tract 426Sullivan County | 3,967 | $61,930 |
| Tract 428.01Sullivan County | 2,849 | $68,611 |
| Tract 427.04Sullivan County | 2,693 | $52,837 |
| Tract 430Sullivan County | 4,779 | $67,642 |
| Tract 427.03Sullivan County | 2,306 | $39,658 |
| Tract 427.02Sullivan County | 2,270 | $72,578 |
| Tract 425Sullivan County | 3,328 | $50,216 |
| Tract 432.01Sullivan County | 3,770 | $81,851 |
| Tract 434.02Sullivan County | 5,035 | $52,775 |
| Tract 434.01Sullivan County | 5,514 | $64,408 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bristol) · Census block assignment files
How does Bristol compare with other places in Tennessee?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bristol is the 1,432nd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 28th-most populous of 345 in Tennessee.
Bristol ranks 144th of 287 places in Tennessee with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 28th | 345 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 115th | 230 |
| Residents per square mile | 109th | 289 |
| Median household income | 144th | 287 |
| Per capita income | 82nd | 289 |
| Median home value | 174th | 285 |
| Median gross rent | 154th | 265 |
| Poverty rate | 138th | 239 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69th | 276 |
| Median age | 134th | 289 |
| Owner-occupied share | 143rd | 289 |
| Work from home | 83rd | 167 |
| Travel time to work | 233rd | 288 |
Bristol's figures with every place in Tennessee (CSV)
Every place in Tennessee, sortable · Compare Bristol with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bristol?
6 of the 57 figures for Bristol on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bristol are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bristol.