Bristol, VA Demographics

A map of Bristol's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	14,230	14,652	84.5%	85.1%
Black	969	1,008	5.8%	5.9%
Multiracial	797	850	4.7%	4.9%
Hispanic	465	455	2.8%	2.6%
Native American/Other	312	95	1.9%	0.6%
Asian	76	159	0.5%	0.9%

Bristol, Virginia has an estimated population of 16,849, a slight decrease from the 17,219 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 84.5% White, 5.8% Black, 4.7% Multiracial, 2.8% Hispanic, 1.9% Native American/Other, and 0.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Bristol, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Bristol has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Virginia overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Bristol, that probability was 26.9% in 2020 and 28.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Bristol is ranked the 82nd most populous place in Virginia, out of 688 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Bristol was ranked the 78th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Bristol's White Population

14,230 residents of Bristol, or 84.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Bristol is significantly higher than in Virginia overall, where 58.4% of the population is White. Bristol ranks 206th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bristol's White population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Bristol's population has decreased from 85.1% to 84.5%.

Bristol is less White than neighboring Bristol (89.5% White), Walnut Hill (96.6% White), Mendota (100% White), Blountville (94.8% White), and Bluff City (98.2% White).

Bristol's Black Population

969 residents of Bristol, or 5.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Bristol is considerably lower than in Virginia overall, where 18.3% of the population is Black. Bristol ranks 390th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bristol's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.9%. Black residents' share of Bristol's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.8%.

Bristol is more Black than neighboring Bristol (3.1% Black), Walnut Hill (0% Black), Mendota (0% Black), Blountville (3% Black), and Bluff City (0% Black).

Bristol's Asian Population

76 residents of Bristol, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Bristol is lower than in Virginia overall, where 6.9% of the population is Asian. Bristol ranks 327th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bristol's Asian population has declined by an estimated 52.2%. Asian residents' share of Bristol's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Bristol is more Asian than neighboring Bristol (0.3% Asian), Mendota (0% Asian), and Bluff City (0% Asian).

Bristol's Hispanic Population

465 residents of Bristol, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Bristol is lower than in Virginia overall, where 11% of the population is Hispanic. Bristol ranks 459th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bristol's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Bristol's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Bristol is more Hispanic than neighboring Walnut Hill (0% Hispanic), Mendota (0% Hispanic), Blountville (0% Hispanic), and Bluff City (0.3% Hispanic). Bristol is less Hispanic than neighboring Bristol (3.3% Hispanic).

Bristol's Native American/Other Population

312 residents of Bristol, or 1.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Bristol is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Bristol ranks 402nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bristol's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 228.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Bristol's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.9%.

Bristol is more Native American/Other than neighboring Bristol (0.3% Native American/Other), Mendota (0% Native American/Other), Blountville (0.3% Native American/Other), and Bluff City (0% Native American/Other). Bristol is less Native American/Other than neighboring Walnut Hill (2.8% Native American/Other).

Bristol's Multiracial Population

797 residents of Bristol, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Bristol is comparable to the share in Virginia overall, where 4.7% of the population is Multiracial. Bristol ranks 222nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 688 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bristol's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Bristol's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Bristol is more Multiracial than neighboring Bristol (3.5% Multiracial), Walnut Hill (0.1% Multiracial), Mendota (0% Multiracial), Blountville (1.4% Multiracial), and Bluff City (1.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.