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C+

Is Bristol, Virginia Safe?

Population 16,418 · Safer than 43% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 16,418, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Bristol earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,194 per 100K.

Bristol Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBristolVirginia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate300.8320.0363.8
Property Crime Rate1652.72045.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate210.0--268.2
Theft Rate1194.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate396.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

195.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

301/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1653/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Bristol

Violent crime in Bristol is below the national average. The rate of 300.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1652.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,194 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Bristol Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault210
078% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery73
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary315
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,194
085% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft396
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Bristol Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bristol
300.8
State
320.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bristol
1652.7
State
2045.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Safety

Is Bristol safe?
It depends on where in Bristol you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Bristol?
195.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 300.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1652.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Bristol safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Bristol has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
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?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Bristol's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Bristol compare to other cities in Virginia?
Below average for the state. Bristol ranks behind about 61% of Virginia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is Bristol to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Bristol?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 43th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Bristol?
300.8 per 100,000, which is 17% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (210), robbery (73), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all Virginia city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Bristol

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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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