City profile · Virginia · Census ACS 2023

Bristol, VA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bristol - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

17,024
Residents
$44,706
Median income
$168,700
Median home
$1,044
Median rent (state)

Bristol - the verdict

Nationally, Bristol sits in the 12th percentile for household income and the 11th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
11th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bristol, VA

Bristol is a small town in Virginia, home to 17,024 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,706 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.7%. Bristol's housing stock carries a median value of $168,700, and the median resident age is 42.6 years. 23.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 5 residential building permits were authorized in Bristol (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Bristol's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 3463.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Virginia tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Virginia scores 101.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,044 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Virginia's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 8.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

17,024 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Virginia

Median Household Income

$44,706 /yr

Poverty 14.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

101.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Virginia average

How does Bristol compare to other US cities?

Where Bristol sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 11% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Virginia alone, Bristol ranks #102 of 117 Virginia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bristol against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Virginia only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Virginia-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Bristol toward the top of Virginia's cities

Among the 616 Virginia cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Bristol ranks #122 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bristol only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#473 of 558
15th percentile in Virginia
Median Gross Rent
#435 of 619
28th percentile in Virginia
Median Home Value
#406 of 567
28th percentile in Virginia
Poverty Rate
#122 of 616
80th percentile in Virginia
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#347 of 618
43rd percentile in Virginia

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Virginia only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

12thIncome percentile
11thSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 11th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bristol's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bristol's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Bristol's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bristol's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$168,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bristol $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bristol, VA Bristol, VA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bristol, VA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bristol, VA median $44,706/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bristol, VA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bristol, VA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
17,024
Median Income
$44,706
Median Home Value
$168,700
Median Age
42.6
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Labor force participation
53.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3463.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
435.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3028.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,000 residents16,500 residents17,000 residents17,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,321 residents 16,418 residents ▼ -5.2%
Bristol's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 1
2021 0
2022 29
2023 7
2024 5

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.1%
Carpool
5.0%
Public Transit
0.1%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
0.6%

Based on 7,230 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Virginia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$50
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Virginia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Virginia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bristol sits in

Cost of Living Index
101.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,044/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
8.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Virginia

Hollins
17,005 people
Manassas Park
16,923 people
Bon Air
17,302 people
Bull Run CDP (Prince William County)
16,688 people
Glen Allen
16,630 people
Kingstowne
17,436 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bristol's 17,024 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Huntington, IN
17,026 people
Groves, TX
17,021 people
Oswego, NY
17,028 people
Safety Harbor, FL
17,040 people
Abington, MA
17,008 people
Aberdeen, WA
17,040 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bristol's $44,706 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Crab Orchard, TN
$44,708 median income
Walnut Cove, NC
$44,700 median income
Elm City, NC
$44,698 median income
Plainfield, VT
$44,698 median income
Lenzburg, IL
$44,722 median income
Ava, MO
$44,722 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bristol, VA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bristol, VA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.9% 6.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.7% White 85.9% Black or African American 6.7% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.1% Two or more races 5.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bristol compares to nearby Virginia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bristol (this city) 17,024 $44,706
Hollins 17,005 $73,588
Manassas Park 16,923 $100,668
Bon Air 17,302 $97,620
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bristol, VA?

What is the population of Bristol, VA? +

Bristol, VA has a population of 17,024 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Bristol runs $44,706, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bristol? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bristol; the closest available measure is the Virginia state average, a cost of living index of 101.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Virginia vary by metro area.

Is Bristol, VA safe? +

Bristol has a total crime rate of 3463.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

A typical home in Bristol is worth $168,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.