Bristol, Tennessee Income Statistics
Bristol Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Bristol Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Bristol | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,290 | $69,901 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,015 | $53,263 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 5.6% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 6.4% | 10.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 6.4% | 9.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bristol is about 17% lower than in Tennessee. Income has been growing faster in Bristol (5.6%/yr) than in Tennessee (5.2%/yr).
About 6% of adults in Bristol earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Tennessee average of 10%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bristol, Tennessee grew by 65.5% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $58,290 in 2024. That's an average of about 5.6% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Bristol
| Metric | Bristol | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.508 | 0.542 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $51,838 | $61,993 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $44,976 | $50,108 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 13.2% | 19.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Bristol, it is 0.508, lower than Tennessee's 0.542, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 15% more than women's income in Bristol, Tennessee. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $240,170 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bristol, Tennessee has narrowed from about 28% to 13% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,954 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bristol | Tennessee Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 11.5% | 12.9% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 18 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 781 people are unemployed in Bristol, Tennessee.
The average commute time in Bristol is 18 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in Tennessee.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bristol, Tennessee has fallen from 7.6% to 6.2% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.9% in 2013.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bristol, Tennessee has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with Tennessee, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bristol, Tennessee.
How Rich Is Bristol, Tennessee?
Bristol has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $58,290, about 17% lower than the Tennessee average of $69,901.
How has median household income changed in Bristol, Tennessee?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Bristol, Tennessee rose 65%, from $35,225 to $58,290. Over the same years, income here outpaced Tennessee as a whole: +65% against +63%.
What was the median household income in Bristol in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bristol, Tennessee was $55,693, up 12% from $49,829 in 2022. The Tennessee median that year was $67,483.
What was the median household income in Bristol in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bristol, Tennessee was $43,028. By 2024 it had risen 35% to $58,290.
How strong is the job market in Bristol, Tennessee?
Unemployment in Bristol, Tennessee is 6.2%, well above the Tennessee rate of 4.6%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bristol, Tennessee?
The Gini coefficient in Bristol is 0.508. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Bristol, Tennessee?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bristol, Tennessee has narrowed from about 28% to 13% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $3,954 since 2009.
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