With about 27,490 residents, Bristol is one of Tennessee's notable places. Bristol was founded in 1856 and sits in Sullivan County. The median age is 41.9 and the median household income is $55,007. Homes carry a median value of $182,500, and about 66% of residents own where they live. White residents make up the largest share of the population (89.3%). Around 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the typical commute runs about 20 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year).
Housing
Property report
Median home value
$182,500
Median gross rent
$764/mo
Owner-occupied
66.3%
Median year built
1970
Households
12,015
Avg. household size
2.24
Area-level figures. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (5-year). Parcel-level records coming next.
Education
Schools
Schools: Below average
Bristol has 10 public schools — 7 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high.
Student proficiency · grade 8, 1 school
Reading32%
Math42%
% of students at or above proficient on state assessments.
Tennessee High SchoolHighGrades 9–12
Tennessee Online Public SchoolHighGrades 6–12
Bristol Tennessee Middle SchoolMiddleGrades 6–8
Anderson ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Avoca ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Emmett ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Fairmount ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Haynesfield ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Holston View ElementaryElementaryGrades -1–5
Tennessee Online Public School at BristolElementary
Public schools + grade-8 proficiency. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES directory + EDFacts assessments), via Urban Institute.
Safety
Crime
violent crime10% above national
Bristol425
Tennessee646
United States386
↓ 15% lower than 2019
2019–2023
property crime44% above national
Bristol2,817
Tennessee2,403
United States1,952
↓ 7% lower than 2019
2019–2023
Rate per 100,000 residents/year, Bristol Police Department, 2023. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS (Crime Data Explorer).
Environment
Environmental hazards
Toxic-release sites and regulated facilities in and around Bristol.
Data source being added: U.S. EPA — Toxics Release Inventory (public). We show real, sourced figures only — never estimates.
Risk
Natural disaster risk
Relatively Low
Top hazards · Sullivan County
LightningRelatively High
Strong windRelatively High
LandslideRelatively Moderate
Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate
Cold waveRelatively Low
EarthquakeRelatively Low
County-level natural-hazard risk. Source: FEMA National Risk Index.
Context
Neighborhood info
Bristol is in Sullivan County — see county-wide risk, demographics, and registry.
Bristol was founded in 1856 and sits in Sullivan County. Elevation ~511 m.
Population trend
Map of Bristol
Bristol, TN
Where Bristol is
Historic places
9 on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bristol Virginia--Tennessee Slogan SignParlett HouseParamount Theatre and Office BuildingFirst National Bank of BristolPemberton Mansion and OakUS Post Office--Shelby Street StationKing, Edward Washington, HouseGammon House
Source: Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state registries. Public record. This information is provided for public awareness. Using it to harass, threaten, or discriminate against any registrant, or for any purpose prohibited by law, is illegal. Verify against the official registry record before relying on it.
Common questions
Bristol — frequently asked
What is the population of Bristol, Tennessee?
Bristol has a population of about 27,490, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year).
What is the average home value in Bristol?
The median home value in Bristol is $182,500, and the median gross rent is $764/month (U.S. Census ACS).
Is Bristol safe? What is the crime rate?
Bristol Police Department reported a violent-crime rate of about 425 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — higher than the U.S. rate of 386. Source: FBI UCR/NIBRS.
What natural-disaster risks does Bristol face?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sullivan County as "Relatively Low" overall, with top hazards including lightning, strong wind, landslide.
How many schools are in Bristol?
Bristol has 10 public schools (7 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES.
How many registered sex offenders are in Bristol?
Public registry data lists 7 registered sex offenders in or near Bristol. This is neighborhood-safety information from the public state registry.