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C+

Murder in Bristol, Virginia (2026)

6.7 per 100K · 18% above national avg · Grade C+

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Quick Answer

Bristol has a murder rate of 6.7 per 100K, which is 18% above the national average of 5.7. Grade: C+. Your odds of being affected: approximately 1 in 14,925 per year.

In 2026, the murder rate in Bristol, Virginia is 6.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 18% above the national average of 5.7. That puts Bristol's murder above the national average. Based on FBI UCR data.

Murder Rate: Bristol vs State and National Averages

Bristol
6.7
Virginia Avg
6.1
National Avg
5.7

Rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI UCR data.

Your Odds: Murder in Bristol

1 in 14,925

Approximate chance of being affected by murder in Bristol in a given year, based on the rate of 6.7 per 100,000 residents.

What Is Murder?

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter is the willful killing of one person by another. This does not include deaths caused by negligence, suicide, or justifiable homicide.

Other Crime Types in Bristol

C+
Violent Crime355.7/100K · 2% below avg
B
Property Crime1540.9/100K · 16% below avg
B-
Assault262.1/100K · 2% below avg
C
Robbery88.6/100K · 40% above avg

Murder in Nearby Virginia Cities

CityGradeRate
Manassas Park
C+
6.8
Vienna
B-
4.2
Williamsburg
C+
7.2
Front Royal
B-
4.3
Radford
B-
4.4
Falls Church
B
3.7

Frequently Asked Questions About Murder in Bristol

How bad is murder in Bristol?
As of 2026, Bristol's murder rate of 6.7 per 100K is 18% above the national average. It ranks behind 56% of US cities for murder.
What is the murder rate in Bristol?
As of 2026, 6.7 per 100,000 residents, based on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report data. The national average is 5.7 per 100K.
Is murder increasing in Bristol?
Crime in Bristol has trended upward recently, though specific murder trends may differ from the overall picture.
How does Bristol's murder compare to Virginia?
Bristol performs better than most Virginia cities on murder. Its rate of 6.7 per 100K is above the national average when compared nationally.
What are the odds of being a victim of murder in Bristol?
Based on the rate of 6.7 per 100,000, approximately 1 in 14,925 residents could be affected by murder in a given year. This is a statistical estimate, not a prediction — actual risk varies by neighborhood and behavior.
Is Bristol safe from murder?
Bristol is about average for murder. The rate of 6.7 per 100K is above the national average. Awareness and normal precautions go a long way.
Back to Bristol safety overviewHow we calculate grades

2023 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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