Bristol (city), Virginia: Power, Data Centers and the Local Economy
No data center or power plant project is on record in Bristol (city), but the national build-out still reaches it through its utility bill, its labor market and the projects next door. Bristol (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county. Employers here counted 10,854 jobs in 2025, up 20.1% from 2019 (the 7th fastest growth of 133 Virginia counties). Next door, Sullivan County, Tennessee, has 1 data center. Unemployment was 4.2% in August 2026, against 3.6% in 2019. 16,418 people live here, down 5.2% since 2020.
Cities and towns in Bristol (city)
Bristol (city) is an independent city: it is its own county-equivalent and is not part of any county.
Residents are 2025 Census estimates for the part of each city, town or township inside this county. Census publishes no annual estimate for unincorporated communities.
What changed in Bristol (city)
1st = the most. Ranks cover counties with a value on record.
| Measure | Then | Now | Change | Rank in Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2020 → 2025) | 17,321 | 16,418 | ▼ 5.2% | 92nd of 133 by size |
| Total jobs (2019 → 2025) | 9,034 | 10,854 | ▲ 20.1% | 7th of 133 by growth |
| Average annual pay (2019 → 2025) | $35,717 | $46,535 | ▲ 30.3% | — |
| Unemployment rate (2019 → August 2026) | 3.6% | 4.2% | ▲ 0.6pts | — |
Who powers Bristol (city)
No operating power plant is located in Bristol (city) in the EIA-860M inventory. Its power comes over the grid from plants elsewhere.
The Bristol (city) labor market
| Industry (2025) | Jobs | Average pay | Concentration vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| All industries | 10,854 | $46,535 | 1.00 |
Concentration is the BLS location quotient: 1.0 means the industry holds the same share of local jobs as it does nationally. Industry rows count private employers; cells BLS suppresses are left out.
Data centers and local rules in Bristol (city)
No data center, local measure or delayed project is on record in Bristol (city). Virginia has 13 local measures on record statewide, and 1 neighboring county has one: Sullivan County.
Bristol (city) and its neighbors
Of the 2 counties that border Bristol (city), Sullivan County carries the most build-out activity: data centers, planned generation and operating plants combined.
| County | Population | Jobs since 2019 | Operating MW | Planned MW | Data centers | Local measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol (city) | 16,418 | ▲ 20.1% | — | — | — | — |
| Sullivan County TN | 163,759 | ▲ 3.1% | 448 MW | — | 1 | 1 |
| Washington County | 53,898 | ▲ 5.2% | 285 MW | — | — | — |
More of Virginia
Bristol (city), answered from the record
Are there data centers in Bristol (city)?
The SAVRN Data Center Map has no data center in Bristol (city). The nearest activity on record is next door in Sullivan County.
What county is Bristol, VA in?
Bristol is in Bristol (city), Virginia. About 16,418 people live there (2025 Census estimate).
Is Bristol (city) adding jobs?
Employers counted 10,854 jobs in 2025 against 9,034 in 2019 (+20.1%, BLS QCEW).
Does Bristol (city) have a data center moratorium?
No county-level measure is on record for Bristol (city). Virginia has 13 local measures statewide, listed on the state page.