Living in Bristol, Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Bristol · Census data 2020–2024
Bristol has 16,849 residents with a median age of 43.4. The median household income is $50,404 (46% lower than the Virginia median), the median home value is $184,100, the median rent is $801/month.
Bristol at a glance
- Population
- 16,849
- Median age
- 43.4State: 39
- Median household income
- $50,404State: $93,170
- Median home value
- $184,100State: $383,700
- Median rent
- $801/moState: $1,579
- Homeowners
- 63.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.8%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Bristol a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 18%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Bristol
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Bristol the median home value is $184,100, 45% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $801 per month, which is 27.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,202 a month in housing costs.
Bristol median household income
The median household income in Bristol is $50,404 and the income per person is $31,284. 18% of residents live below the poverty line (Virginia: 9.9%).
Housing in Bristol: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,641
- Owner-occupied
- 63.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.4%
- Vacant
- 16.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.29
Bristol demographics
- Population
- 16,849
- Median age
- 43.4
- Under 18
- 19.6%
- 65 and older
- 23.7%
- Households
- 7,226
- Foreign-born
- 2.2%
- Veterans
- 7.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Bristol ›
Education in Bristol
24.8% of adults 25 and older in Bristol have a bachelor's degree or higher (Virginia: 42.2%), and 9.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Bristol
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 11.6%
- Drive alone
- 78.4%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 3.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 74.8%
Bristol vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 16,849 | $50,404 | $184,100 | $801 |
| Bristol | 27,636 | $58,162 | $194,500 | $842 |
| Walnut Hill | 2,415 | $51,742 | $219,900 | $1,219 |
| Mendota | 262 | $46,012 | — | — |
| Blountville | 3,309 | $54,754 | $177,300 | $1,192 |
| Abingdon | 8,330 | $54,544 | $228,000 | $838 |
| Bluff City | 2,225 | $61,059 | $157,400 | $931 |
| Hunter | 1,918 | $51,815 | $169,500 | $756 |
| Nickelsville | 368 | $46,250 | $175,000 | $746 |
More for people moving to Bristol
Bristol ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Bristol: FAQ
What is the median household income in Bristol, VA?
The median household income in Bristol is $50,404, 46% lower than the Virginia median of $93,170 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Bristol?
The median home value in Bristol is $184,100, compared with $383,700 in Virginia.
How much is rent in Bristol?
The median gross rent in Bristol is $801 per month, about 27.1% of household income.
Is Bristol, VA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the Virginia median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 18%.
What is the median age in Bristol?
The median age in Bristol is 43.4 years (Virginia: 39).
How long is the commute in Bristol?
The average commute to work in Bristol is 18 minutes; 11.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Bristol?
The unemployment rate in Bristol is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Bristol?
24.8% of adults in Bristol have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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