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C-

Is Bristol, Connecticut Safe?

Population 62,341 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Bristol earns a C- safety grade with 235 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 73% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,538 per 100K.

Bristol Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBristolConnecticut AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate396.0331.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1953.62084.81,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate260.0--268.2
Theft Rate1538.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate229.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

235 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

396/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1954/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Bristol

Violent crime in Bristol is close to the national average. The rate of 396.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1953.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,538 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Bristol Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault260
097% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery87
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary263
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,538
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft229
072% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Bristol Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bristol
396.0
State
331.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bristol
1953.6
State
2084.8
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Safety

Is Bristol safe?
Not especially. Bristol earns a C- with a crime rate of 235 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Bristol?
235 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 396.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1953.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Bristol safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Bristol's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,538 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Bristol?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Bristol generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Bristol police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Bristol?
Crime rates have held steady in Bristol, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Bristol compare to other cities in Connecticut?
Below average for the state. Bristol ranks behind about 70% of Connecticut cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Bristol to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Bristol?
Bad. A C- grade and 235 per-thousand rate put Bristol below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 396 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Bristol?
396.0 per 100,000, which is 9% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (260), robbery (87), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Connecticut

Similar-sized communities in Connecticut. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Meriden60,810 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in West Haven55,351 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Middletown48,439 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in New Britain76,286 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Shelton42,880 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Norwich40,001 pop · Grade D
View all Connecticut city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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