bristol is an independent city in the commonwealth of virginia. as of the 2010 census, the population was 17,835. it is the twin city of bristol, tennessee, just across the state line, which runs down the middle of its main street, state street. it is surrounded on three sides by washington county, virginia, which is combined with the city for statistical purposes. bristol is a principal city of the kingsport–bristol–bristol, tn-va metropolitan statistical area, which is a component of the johnson city–kingsport–bristol, tn-va combined statistical area – commonly known as the "tri-cities" region.