Bristol, VA town hall & government
Bristol spent $127.2 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $7,496 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Bristol's government.
Who runs Bristol
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Bristol's money goes
Bristol runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Virginia cities.
Where the money comes from
- Interest, fines & other 29%
- From the state 26%
- Property taxes 17%
- Sales taxes 17%
- Fees & charges 7%
- Other taxes & licenses 2%
- From the federal government 1%
- From other local governments <1%
- Utility sales <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 City Public Schools
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 Virginia districts overall: 49% local, 41% state, 10% federal
- Local 22%
- State 57%
- Federal 21%
Of the $18,296 per pupil, $12,623 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.
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 Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and Representative H. Morgan Griffith. Abigail Spanberger 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.