Virginia

Bristol

18,426
1990 population
1900
first census record
10
census records

About Bristol

Bristol, Virginia, first appears in the United States federal census in 1900, when it recorded a population of 4,579. At the most recent census, in 1990, its population stood at 18,426.

Its recorded population peaked at 19,042 in 1980, and has since declined by roughly 3 percent.

On the ground today, 11 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
199018,426
198019,042
197014,857
196017,144
195015,954
19409,768
19308,840
19206,729
19106,247
19004,579
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Bristol

National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol, Virginia.

First Baptist Church
Bristol (Independent City)
King-Lancaster-McCoy-Mitchell House
Bristol (Independent City)
Virginia High School
Bristol (Independent City)
Virginia Hill Historic District
Bristol (Independent City)
Bristol Commercial Historic District
Bristol
Bristol Commercial Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Bristol (Independent City)
Euclid Avenue Historic District
Bristol (Independent City)
Bristol Warehouse Historic District
Bristol (Independent City)
Virginia Intermont College
Bristol (Independent City)
Bristol Railroad Station
Bristol (Independent City)
Browse all Virginiahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Virginia

Explore census history and historic records for more Virginia counties.

ArlingtonAugustaBathBedfordBedford cityBlandBotetourtBristol cityBrunswickBuchananBuckinghamBuena VistaBuena Vista cityCampbellCarolineCarrollCharles CityCharlotteCharlottesvilleCharlottesville city
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Bristol County, Virginia

This page charts the census history of Bristol County, Virginia. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Bristol County, Virginia report
Or see a real report first

Explore Virginia records

Virginiahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Virginia›

Frequently asked about Bristol

When does Bristol first appear in the US census?
Bristol, Virginia first appears in the federal census in 1900, with a recorded population of 4,579.
What is the population of Bristol?
At the most recent federal census (1990), Bristol had a recorded population of 18,426.
When did Bristol's population peak?
Bristol's recorded population peaked at 19,042 in 1980.
How many historic places are in Bristol?
11 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Bristol, Virginia.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report