Bristol, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Bristol, Virginia is 17,024 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 79th-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $44,706, the median home value is $168,700, and the median age is 42.6.
The population has declined 8.2% since 2010 (17,766 → 16,316).
17,024
Population
1323
People / sq mi
$44,706
Median Income
$168,700
Median Home Value
Bristol covers 12.9 sq mi of land at 1323 people per square mile.
About Bristol, VA
Bristol is a city in Virginia with a population of 17,024. It ranks #79 among cities in Virginia by population. The median age is 42.6, older than the national median. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
The median household income in Bristol is $44,706, below the US median of $74,580. 14.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $168,700, with monthly rent averaging $775. The homeownership rate of 63.1% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Bristol reflects 23.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 11.2% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 18.4 minutes each way.
Bristol city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Bristol city had a population of 17,766 in 2010 and 16,316 in 2024, a -8.2% growth over 14 years. The peak was 17,766 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.60%.
16,316
Population (2024)
17,766
Population (2010)
17,766
Peak (2010)
-0.60%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 17,766 |
| 2011 | 17,717 |
| 2012 | 17,692 |
| 2013 | 17,386 |
| 2014 | 17,191 |
| 2015 | 17,146 |
| 2016 | 17,088 |
| 2017 | 16,880 |
| 2018 | 16,685 |
| 2019 | 16,762 |
| 2020 | 17,303 |
| 2021 | 17,074 |
| 2022 | 16,884 |
| 2023 | 16,668 |
| 2024 | 16,316 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.9% |
| Black or African American | 6.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$44,706
Median Household Income
$29,646
Per Capita Income
14.7%
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$168,700
Median Home Value
$775
Median Rent
63.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
89.6%
High School+
23.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.1%
Drive Alone
79.1%
Public Transit
11.2%
Work From Home
18.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
57.9%
Foreign Born
97.7%
Non-English at Home
7.2%
Veterans
21.1%
With Disability
88.8%
Health Insurance
86.7%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 22.4% |
| Manufacturing | 13.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 13.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.0% |
| Public Administration | 6.6% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 5.6% |
| Retail Trade | 5.5% |
| Construction | 4.4% |
| Information | 3.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.0% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Bristol, Virginia has a population of 17,024 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 79th-largest city in Virginia.
The median household income in Bristol, Virginia is $44,706, with 14.7% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Bristol, Virginia is $168,700, with median monthly rent at $775 and a homeownership rate of 63.1%.
The median age in Bristol, Virginia is 42.6 years. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
The population has declined 8.2% since 2010 (17,766 → 16,316).
More from Virginia
Population 457,066
Population 251,153
Population 235,463
Population 235,037
Population 227,595
Full rankings of Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.