Bristol, TN town hall & government
Bristol spent $117.5 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $4,239 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Bristol's government.
Where Bristol's money goes
Bristol runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Tennessee cities.
Where the money comes from
- From the state 30%
- From other local governments 19%
- Property taxes 15%
- Sales taxes 10%
- Fees & charges 10%
- Interest, fines & other 9%
- Utility sales 4%
- From the federal government 2%
- Other taxes & licenses 1%
Who works for Bristol
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Bristol didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Bristol City School District
Bristol's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Bristol, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Tennessee districts overall: 40% local, 44% state, 16% federal
- Local 44%
- State 41%
- Federal 15%
Of the $13,012 per pupil, $7,338 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Bristol: Sullivan County School District ($12,103 per pupil).
Which schools Bristol kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Bristol pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Bristol's government
Who represents Bristol
Bristol is represented in Congress by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Representative Diana Harshbarger. Bill Lee is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.