Population 16,849 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Bristol City
Household size in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.18 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.21 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.38 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.19 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Bristol City is a place of small households, averaging 2.38 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.18, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.4 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.4 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.6 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 45.6, Bristol City is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 41.1 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.3% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in six households in Bristol City (17.7%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 5.4 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only eight have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bristol City
Renters in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.3% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 44.7% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.6% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 36.4% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Bristol City is about as common as it is nationally: 36.4% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a bigger share here than in Virginia as a whole (32.7%). Among homeowners, 48.0% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 1.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.6% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Bristol City: 19.3% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 9.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1964 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1965 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +5 | +6 |
Bristol City is a place of older homes: half were built before 1965, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the center. Few Virginia counties have older homes: only eight of 133.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $609 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $670 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $743 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $867 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$258 | +$600 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Bristol City costs $867 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $258 a month since 2006–10, up 42%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bristol City
Bachelor's degrees in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.8% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.4% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 24.0% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.3 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Bristol City have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 24.0%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 4.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.5% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.7% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.6% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.1 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Bristol City is close to the national rate: 89.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Virginia as a whole (91.6%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.1 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bristol City
| Period | Bristol City | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.2% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in Bristol City: 7.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Of Virginia's 133 counties, only 11 have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bristol City compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol City | 2.38 | 45.6 | 17.7% | 36.4% | 19.3% | 1965 | $867 | 24.0% | 89.6% | 7.0% |
| Washington County | 2.41 | 46.6 | 8.3% | 24.2% | 13.3% | 1983 | $885 | 26.4% | 90.6% | 2.9% |
| Sullivan County | 2.34 | 44.8 | 10.9% | 27.9% | 10.3% | 1976 | $911 | 27.3% | 90.2% | 5.2% |
| Scott County | 2.28 | 47.8 | 10.5% | 23.0% | 22.0% | 1976 | $700 | 15.0% | 84.3% | 3.3% |
| Lee County | 2.43 | 45.9 | 11.7% | 27.0% | 19.6% | 1977 | $769 | 16.0% | 83.0% | 8.1% |
| Grayson County | 2.26 | 48.6 | 6.5% | 19.6% | 28.4% | 1975 | $736 | 15.5% | 85.3% | 3.6% |
| Hancock County | 2.39 | 45.1 | 8.8% | 25.4% | 21.7% | 1984 | $619 | 11.0% | 76.9% | 7.9% |
| Galax City | 2.32 | 43.9 | 17.6% | 43.7% | 14.2% | 1966 | $752 | 19.1% | 84.4% | 5.1% |
| Carroll County | 2.32 | 49.0 | 8.3% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 1982 | $745 | 17.2% | 85.9% | 5.8% |
| Bell County | 2.34 | 39.9 | 14.5% | 41.2% | 14.0% | 1980 | $624 | 18.0% | 80.3% | 9.6% |
| Patrick County | 2.23 | 51.4 | 6.5% | 23.1% | 21.4% | 1980 | $727 | 15.2% | 84.4% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Clay County, AR · Prince Edward County, VA · Quebradillas Municipio, PR · Reeves County, TX · Richardson County, NE · Clay County, TN · Richland County, MT · Clay County, KY · Richmond County, VA · Ripley County, MO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bristol City. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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