City of Bristol, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Bristol is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 16,418, down 4.8% since 2020. It covers about 13 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1856 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 16,418 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 17,321 |
| Change 2020–2025 | -5.2% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 92 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Bristol is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1856.[2] The name comes from Bristol.[2]
Population of Bristol
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Bristol at 16,418 in July 2025, down 4.8% from the April 2020 base of 17,242.[1] That made it 92nd of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 129th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 784 births and 1,683 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 899.[1] More people moved away to other parts of the United States than moved in. Net domestic migration was -3. Moves from abroad added 85.[1]
Geography
The City of Bristol covers 12.9 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 114th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,276 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 36.62° N, 82.16° W.[3]
The city borders Washington County in Virginia, as well as land in Tennessee.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 3 named streams and 1 lake or reservoir in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Bristol in a county?
No. Bristol is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Bristol?
About 16,418 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Bristol?
About 13 square miles of land, plus 0.1 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Bristol city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.bristolva.org
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.