Your life in Bristol city, Virginia

What stands out

Three things set Bristol city apart from the other 3,142 counties: natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 4% of American counties (4 of 100), the restaurant count per person is in the top 7% of American counties (1.4 per 1,000), and the median household income is in the bottom 12% of American counties ($45,250). Within Virginia it ranks 10th of 133 counties for natural-hazard risk, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Bristol city, Virginia. 17,036 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -8).

Virginia has a graduated income tax with a 5.75% top rate that begins at just $17,000 of income, so most residents pay near the top rate. It does not tax Social Security and allows an age deduction of up to $12,000 for residents 65 and over. Northern Virginia's federal and defense economy produces incomes closer to the Washington suburbs of Maryland than to the rest of the state. Localities levy annual property tax on vehicles.

Money

The typical household here brings in $45,250 a year, lower than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,921. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 50% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Virginia takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,344 a year.

Home

The median home costs $182K, cheaper than 70% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $760 a month. Property tax is 0.81% of home value, roughly $1,250 a year on that median home, lower than 55% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 73.6 years, shorter than 75% of American counties. There are 18 active physicians in the county, about 10.6 per 10,000 people. 8.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.85 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 67% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 28 points. 58% of eligible voters turned out. Under Virginia law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 68 and lows near 44, warmer than 52% of American counties. About 46 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 4 out of 100, safer than 96% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 185 Mbps down, slower than 56% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Virginia tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.