Bristol TN-VA "A Good Place To Live"
Nestled in the mountains of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee and straddling two state lines, is a city as rich in tradition as it is in hospitality. One community in two states, this beautiful city is Bristol, TN - VA. The center of Main Street, now known as State Street, was designated in 1901 by the U.S. Congress as the official state line. Virginia on the north side of State Street and Tennessee on the south side. Modern-day visitors to Bristol can view the brass markers on State Street, following the center line, which marks the exact boundary between these two famous cities. Bristol is part of the metropolitan statistical area commonly called the Tri-Cities (Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport). Because Bristol is located within a day's drive of more than 70 percent of the U.S. population, it has historically been a hub of commerce for the 5 state areas of Virginia, Tenneesee, West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina.
"Birthplace of Country Music"
Bristol's two-state location offers the unique history of Daniel Boone, a rail center for the south, the Bristol Motor Speedway, and the birthplace of country music. Nature and sports enthusiasts can make use of the Bristol's 7 golf courses, 150,000 acres of Cherokee National Forest, and 40 parks. The second largest city park in Tennessee, Stacy Grayson Memorial at Steele Creek Park, covers 2,200 acres, offers 25 miles of hiking trails, a nine-hole golf course, a 58-acre lake, a Nature Center, a mini-train, paddle-boats, and nature center. Many people enjoy swimming, water-skiing, boating, and fishing in the sparkling waters of seven TVA lakes. Others explore the natural wonders of the area such as the Bristol Caverns and Appalachian Caverns. Air service is available through the Tri-Cities Regional Airport which offers jet and air carrier service to more than 400 worldwide destinations.
Take a downtown "Historic Walking Tour" of Bristol's heritage and history by visiting the Country Music Mural, the Paramount Center for the Arts, and the War Memorial at Cumberland Park. Visitors discover a new dimension by shopping in Bristol's downtown district. Quaint restaurants and cafes (like Java J's) cluster the streets, serving steamed seafood, fresh bagels, homemade pastries, and soups while more than 25 antique shops are available to browse. The climate-controlled Bristol Mall features several major department stores, restaurants, and more than 60 shops. Bristol is also home to Cinemark Tinseltown's 14-screen, stadium-style movie theater. Recognized as the "Official Birthplace of Country Music" by the U.S. Congress and Home to nationally-renown entertainer Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway
Bristol Motor Speedway the world's fastest 1/2 mile track and one of the nation's five largest sporting arenas. 152,000 NASCAR fans flock to Bristol each April and August. A recent addition opened in May is the Bristol Dragway, a $14 million state-of-the-art facility that features a 700-foot concrete strip for fast and furious Drag-racing. In the holiday season, the Speedway and Dragway are transformed into a drive-through, holiday light display as over 1 million lights illuminate the tracks.
Climate
Normal High Temperature, January 44.5 °F
Normal Low Temperature, January 25.5°F
Normal High Temperature, July 85.5°F
Normal Low Temperature, July 64.3°F
Annual Precipitation 41.4"
Annual Average Snowfall 16.2"
Elevation 1,615 '
Size
Bristol, Tennessee - 29.6 square miles
Bristol Virginia - 11.53 square miles
Population
Bristol, Tennessee - 24,821 (2000 Census)
Bristol, Virginia - 17,367 (2000 Census)
***Total population in Mountain States Alliance 436,047*** (1999 Data)
Living
The average spring/summer temperature is a warm and sunny 78°
F and in the fall and winter a mild 38° F, with a few snowflakes to cover the breathtaking mountain scenery. But scenery is not all there is to keep Bristol as one of the most livable cities in the United States as rated by American Demographic Magazine. Bristol, as part of the Tri-Cities region, was awarded the All America City reorganization by the National Civic League in 1999. With many of the big city amenities, Bristol is still small when it comes to a low crime rate-tenth lowest in the country. Strong neighborhood ties and a sense of genuine southern hospitality make this possible. Housing choices in Bristol vary with above average quality and below average cost-30 percent lower than the national average. And Bristol's unique location offers a variety of country or city settings for homes. Only a ten-minute drive to the city, Bristol's homes are close to work and school .Highly rated and well-funded, the Bristol school systems offers an outstanding educational opportunity. A community of neighbors within the Tri-Cities metro area of approximately 450,000, Bristol is an easy place to call home.
Location
Interstate 81 ties Bristol to important population centers such as Knoxville, TN. (118 miles west) and Roanoke, VA. (143 miles east). Interstate highways 77 and 40 connect with 1-81 within 73 miles of Bristol.
Government
Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Virginia are independent cities. Each has a council-manager form of government. Both cities have planning commissions, zoning ordinances and industrial development authorities.
