Bristol city
VA · Pop. 17,024 · Urban County
Bristol city is an urban county in Virginia, spanning 13 square miles with 17,024 residents at a density of 1309.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The median home price is $169,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.77%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F and average winter lows of 24.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Bristol Regional Medical Center is 5.9 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.77% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $169,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 45.6 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- The nearest hospital, Bristol Regional Medical Center, is 5.9 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 18.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- At 1309.5 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Bristol city, VA is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 76/100
- Median home price
- $169k
- Property tax
- 0.77%
- Growing season
- 176 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.6"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Bristol Regional Medical Center, 5.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bristol city: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bristol city?
- Bristol city is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 176-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.2°F, and average winter lows of 24.8°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $169,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.77%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bristol Regional Medical Center is 5.9 miles away, without an in-county emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Virginia
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The closest counties to Bristol city by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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