The Town Files

Bristol city, Virginia

16,849 people. The median home is worth $184,100 (typical Virginia town: $298,050) and the median household earns $50,404.

Towns in Bristol city

Towns in Bristol city

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Bristol17,219$184,100$50,40443.4

People and housing

Bristol cityTypical Virginia town
Median home value$184,100$298,050
Median rent$801$1,254
Median household income$50,404$78,595
Median age43.439.8
Bachelor's degree or higher24.8%31.2%
Below the poverty line18.0%8.8%

Jobs and pay

10,383 jobs in 2024, average pay $46,921 a year.

Largest industries in Bristol cityManufacturing1,590 jobs · $56,101Retail1,398 jobs · $30,083Health care & social assistan…1,078 jobs · $45,702Transportation & warehousing591 jobs · $49,966Administrative & support302 jobs · $35,044Finance & insurance272 jobs · $89,676
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Bristol city0%2%4%6%8%10%12%2000200420082012201620202023 3.7%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 163 storm events in Bristol city from 1996 to 2026.

Storm events in Bristol city by type since 1996Hail14Flood8High Wind9Ice Storm3Heavy Snow53Flash Flood5Strong Wind1Winter Storm21Winter Weather11Cold/Wind Chill1
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Bristol city has been included in 13 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 23, 2026Winter StormEM-3631: Severe Winter Storm
April 4, 2025Severe StormDR-4863: Severe Winter Storms And Flooding
October 1, 2024Tropical StormDR-4831: Tropical Storm Helene
September 29, 2024Tropical StormEM-3621: Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene
April 2, 2020BiologicalDR-4512: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3448: Covid-19
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).