countyscore
42
County Score
Disaster Risk 91.4Lawn Care 82.4Weather & Climate 74.7

County Report Card

About Bristol city, Virginia

Bristol City Faces National Headwinds

Bristol City currently holds a composite score of 41.6, trailing the national median of 50.0. While the city offers specific benefits, it sits in the lower half of the national ranking for overall livability.

Working to Close the State Gap

The city’s score of 41.6 is below the Virginia state average of 50.9. Local leaders continue to address economic factors to bring the city in line with the broader Commonwealth's performance.

High Environmental Resilience

Bristol city earns an excellent Risk Score of 91.4, indicating it is very well-protected against environmental hazards. It also maintains moderate affordability with a Cost Score of 56.2 and median rents of $775.

Economic and Safety Improvements

The city struggles with an Income Score of 7.0 and a Safety Score of 7.6. Median household incomes currently stand at $44,706, highlighting a need for more robust local economic opportunities.

Suited for Resilient Urban Pioneers

Bristol City appeals to those looking for a very low-risk environmental setting and affordable housing. It is a work-in-progress city that suits residents who are less dependent on high local wages or perfect safety ratings.

2040608010054.857.57.637.548.812.591.474.7Tax54.8Cost57.5Safety7.6Health37.5Schools48.8Income12.5Risk91.4Water—Weather74.742/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Bristol city DNA

Foverall

How Bristol city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Bristol city is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (91.4/100) but notably weak in Safety (7.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.8
Cost
57.5+9.5
Safety
7.6-47.4
Health
37.5-12.5
Schools
48.8
Income
12.5-38.5
Risk
91.4+44.400000000000006
Weather
74.7+18.700000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Bristol city?

Many homeowners in Bristol city pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$184,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$801/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$184,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,404/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

White County
Arkansas
Median income: $55,249
42
Clarke County
Iowa
Median income: $71,641
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Dallas County
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Median income: $102,379
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Marshall County
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Median income: $73,315
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Russell County
Kansas
Median income: $62,392
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Caroline County
Maryland
Median income: $68,457
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Crawford County
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Median income: $57,629
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Salem County
New Jersey
Median income: $79,960
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Nearby counties

Washington County
Virginia
59
Sullivan County
Tennessee
53.6
Russell County
Virginia
62.3
Johnson County
Tennessee
61.2
Carter County
Tennessee
45.2
Scott County
Virginia
53.9
Washington County
Tennessee
55.6
Norton city
Virginia
46.5

Deep Dives

Bristol city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bristol city

via TaxByCounty

Bristol's taxes highest in region

At 0.767%, Bristol city has the highest effective tax rate among the eight counties analyzed and exceeds the national median of 0.96%. The median property tax of $1,294 reflects the combination of high rates and lower home values.

Bristol well above Virginia average

Bristol's 0.767% rate is notably higher than Virginia's state average of 0.671%, ranking in the upper tier of state localities. The median tax of $1,294 is about 34% below the state median of $1,960.

Steepest effective rate in the region

Bristol's 0.767% rate substantially exceeds every other county analyzed, including Botetourt (0.655%) and Bland (0.552%). On a median home value of $168,700, Bristol residents face the highest effective tax burden in this eight-county comparison.

What homeowners pay annually

On Bristol's median home value of $168,700, the typical annual property tax bill is $1,294. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,315, while those owning outright pay $1,252.

Assessment appeals matter more here

With the region's highest effective tax rate, Bristol homeowners should prioritize reviewing their assessments for accuracy. Even a 10% assessment reduction could save several hundred dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bristol city

via IncomeByCounty

Bristol faces significant national income shortfall

Bristol city's median household income of $44,706 falls roughly $30,000 short of the national median of $74,755. This is the lowest income among the eight studied Virginia communities and reflects deep economic stress.

Lowest earner among Virginia communities

At $44,706, Bristol's median household income trails Virginia's state average of $74,957 by nearly 40%. Bristol ranks among the lowest-income places in the Commonwealth, signaling urgent need for economic revitalization.

Economic isolation in Southwest Virginia

Bristol ($44,706) earns dramatically less than nearby rural counties like Bland ($61,375) and Bath ($61,709), indicating city-specific economic decline. The disparity suggests that regional growth has bypassed Bristol's core, concentrating poverty in the urban center.

Housing costs consume Bristol household budgets

Bristol's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% is the highest among these eight counties, leaving less room for savings or basic needs. With a median home value of $168,700, even this lower price point stretches household resources, limiting wealth-building options.

Build resilience through conservative planning

Bristol residents face real affordability pressures that require disciplined budgeting and outside support. Seek local nonprofit financial coaching, explore low-cost banking options, and prioritize emergency savings—even small amounts—to build a financial safety net.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bristol city

via CrimeByCounty

Bristol city faces higher than average crime

Bristol city reports a total crime rate of 3028.9 per 100,000 residents, which exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. The city currently holds a safety score of 95.2.

Safety levels trail Virginia state averages

Bristol's safety score of 95.2 is lower than the Virginia average of 97.3. Its total crime rate is nearly double the state average of 1728.8, indicating a need for higher awareness.

Comparing Bristol to regional safety trends

Data for Bristol comes from a single reporting agency, so statistics should be interpreted with caution. However, the city currently shows higher incident rates than many surrounding rural counties.

Property crime significantly impacts local rates

The property crime rate in Bristol is 2659.1, which is higher than the national average of 2,015.7. Violent crime matches the national rate exactly at 369.8 per 100,000 residents.

Strengthening home defense in Bristol

With elevated property crime rates, residents should consider comprehensive security systems including cameras and alarms. Collaborative neighborhood watch programs can also help lower incident rates over time.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Bristol city

via SoilByCounty

Urban landscapes in Bristol

As an independent city, Bristol's soil data is limited due to the prevalence of developed land. Local soil typically follows the regional trend of the Appalachian Valley, though direct pH measurements are not available in this survey. Understanding the urban soil context is key for local planning.

Managed and modified surfaces

Specific percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not recorded for the city's urbanized footprint. Much of the ground in Bristol consists of 'urban land' complexes where native profiles have been altered by construction. Gardeners should test their specific backyard soil to identify their unique mix.

Building fertility in city plots

With organic matter and water capacity data unavailable, Bristol residents should look to regional benchmarks for guidance. Virginia averages suggest a starting point of 2.90% organic matter, but city soils often vary significantly based on site history. Adding local compost is the best way to ensure high growing potential.

Navigating urban water flow

While Bristol does not have a formal soil score in this dataset, urban hydrology is dominated by runoff and drainage systems. Natural infiltration is often limited by impervious surfaces like roads and buildings. Residents should focus on raised beds or permeable landscaping to manage water effectively.

Urban gardening in Zone 7a

Bristol's 7a climate is well-suited for container gardening and small-space vegetable production. Herbs, peppers, and tomatoes grow excellently in the city's temperate environment. Even with limited data, the climate is inviting for any aspiring urban gardener.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Bristol city

via LawnByCounty

Exceptional Lawn Ease in Bristol

Bristol city boasts an 82.4 lawn difficulty score, indicating it is much easier to maintain than the state average of 55.4. This Zone 7a city is one of the most favorable spots for lawn care in Virginia.

Perfect Moisture and Mild Heat

The city receives 47.3 inches of annual rain, well above the national median and the state average. With only 7 extreme heat days, turf is rarely stressed by the intense temperatures found elsewhere in the state.

Site-Specific Soil Care Needed

While comprehensive soil data is unavailable for the city, regional soils are typically acidic. We recommend a local soil test to determine if your specific yard needs lime or other nutritional amendments.

Low Drought Impact in the City

Bristol experienced only one week of drought over the past year, showing incredible moisture resilience. Although 100% of the city is currently abnormally dry, history suggests this is a temporary and mild condition.

Standard 7a Grasses Flourish Here

Tall fescue is a reliable choice for the city's climate and consistent rainfall. Without the extreme heat seen in other counties, you have a wide window for successful seeding in both spring and fall.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bristol city's county score?
Bristol city, Virginia has a composite county score of 42 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Bristol city rank among counties in Virginia?
Bristol city ranks #106 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Bristol city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Bristol city is $1,387, with an effective tax rate of 0.75%. This earns Bristol city a tax score of 54.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bristol city?
The median household income in Bristol city, Virginia is $50,404 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bristol city earns an income score of 12.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bristol city, Virginia a good place to live?
Bristol city scores 42/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #106 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Bristol city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Bristol city with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.