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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bristol

Tennessee · 27,147 residents · 32.708 sq mi
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The short version

Bristol has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,067. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $135,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 43.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
27,147
+9%since 2000
from 24,821 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
830 / sq mi
+9%since 2000
from 759 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
43.6
+9%since 2000
from 39.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
23K24K26K27K28K1990201020202024Bristol
202428K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,067
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,039 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,113
+41%since 2000
from $18,535 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
28.2%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.2%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3.7%
US avg: 2%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$135,800
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $68,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$709
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $414 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.2% in 2000
35.4% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+41%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bristol on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.7%(23,496)
Black2.9%(728)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(170)
Asian0.6%(158)
Other0%
Diversity Score10.4%(2,581)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.1%(24,200)
Black3%(802)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(686)
Asian0.9%(243)
Other3.5%(944)
Diversity Score23.3%(6,322)
Diversity Score
23
+124%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.0%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.2%
+13.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
9.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.9 min
+73%since 2000
from 12.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
87.2%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2011
from 7.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
57.9%
+3.3 ptssince 2011
from 54.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.5%
−27.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
52.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.5%
−73.0 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Bristol

East Lake-Orient Park
Pop 29,213
Palm Springs
Pop 28,303
Ferry Pass
Pop 30,053
Ensley
Pop 23,760
Places similar to Bristol
Head to head

Compare Bristol to nearby cities

BRISTOL VS
Bristol
Income$50,404+20%
Home value$184,100+36%
Population16,418−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRISTOL VS
Elizabethton
Income$46,975+12%
Home value$172,900+27%
Population14,350−49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRISTOL VS
Bloomingdale
Income$52,317+24%
Home value$165,500+22%
Population9,292−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BRISTOL VS
Abingdon
Income$54,544+30%
Home value$228,000+68%
Population8,284−71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bristol, Tennessee?

Bristol, Tennessee has about 27,147 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bristol, Tennessee?

The typical household in Bristol, Tennessee earns about $42,067 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bristol, Tennessee expensive?

In Bristol, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $135,800, and the typical rent is about $709 a month.

How educated are people in Bristol, Tennessee?

About 27.0% of adults age 25 and over in Bristol, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bristol, Tennessee?

About 19.8% of people in Bristol, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bristol, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Bristol, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,726 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →