Bristol city: Economy & Jobs
Households in Bristol city earn a median $50,404 (about the same as Bristol city median $50,404; 1.8× below Virginia median $93,170), with homes at a median value of $184,100. The surrounding county supports 10,383 jobs (avg $46,921).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $50,404 — below the Virginia median ($92,968). Poverty rate 17.0% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $7,290 |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $378,118 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $51,868 (vs Virginia $92,983) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Median Household Income | $50,404 (vs Virginia $92,968) |
| Poverty Rate | 17.0% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 — county FIPS · Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.1% — near the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 10,383 |
|---|---|
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $487,172,898 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $46,921 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 10,383 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $487,172,898 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $46,921 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,981,130 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% (vs Virginia 2.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) · BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-05-03
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 531 |
|---|---|
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 7,379 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 295,543 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 6 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 15 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 8 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 24 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 31 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
| Total Snap Stores | 44 |
|---|
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $122,817,535 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,132.68 (vs Virginia $14,580) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 17,219 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
Sources: USAspending API