Bristol, PA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol, PA Crime & Safety

Is Bristol, PA safe?

Bristol earns an overall crime grade of C+ city-wide, while its city-wide safety rating sits at a B (Safe) when neighborhood data is aggregated. Of the four neighborhoods analyzed, 50% fall into the safe category (grades A or B). Green Lawn Park leads with an A- grade, and Bath Addition follows at B+. The remaining two neighborhoods — Laurel Bend and Lakeland Estates — both hold C+ grades, meaning they sit in a moderate range rather than a high-crime tier. No neighborhoods in Bristol were graded D or F, which is a meaningful indicator that the town avoids the severe crime concentrations seen in some comparable communities. Standard precautions — locking vehicles, using exterior lighting, and staying aware of surroundings — remain advisable, particularly in the C+ areas.

What is the crime rate in Bristol, PA?

Bristol's crime picture is best understood through its grade distribution across neighborhoods. 25% of neighborhoods earned an A grade (Green Lawn Park at A-), 25% earned a B grade (Bath Addition at B+), and 50% landed at C+ (Laurel Bend and Lakeland Estates). Critically, 0% of neighborhoods received a D or F, distinguishing Bristol from higher-risk towns of similar size. The city's population of 53,556 and a population density of 1,305 residents per square mile provide context: at this density, localized crime clusters in specific blocks rather than spreading evenly, which is why neighborhood-level grades vary even within a relatively compact area. The 10.2% poverty rate and 4.7% unemployment rate are consistent with the moderate C+ overall crime grade the city carries.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Bristol, PA?

Based on analyzed crime data, here is how Bristol's four neighborhoods rank by safety:

1. Green Lawn Park — Grade: A- | Population: 647 | Median Income: $64,331. The top-rated neighborhood in Bristol, Green Lawn Park delivers the lowest crime burden in the city despite a slightly lower median income than some peers, suggesting strong community cohesion.
2. Bath Addition — Grade: B+ | Population: 460 | Median Income: $69,399. Bath Addition closely mirrors the city's median household income of $69,443 and earns a B+ safety grade, making it the second-safest option for residents prioritizing security.
3. Laurel Bend — Grade: C+ | Population: 552 | Median Income: $71,591. Laurel Bend carries the highest median income of any analyzed neighborhood yet sits at C+, illustrating that income alone does not determine neighborhood safety outcomes.
4. Lakeland Estates — Grade: C+ | Population: 431 | Median Income: $71,591. Sharing a C+ grade and identical median income with Laurel Bend, Lakeland Estates rounds out the analysis with a moderate safety profile.

Collectively, 50% of Bristol's analyzed neighborhoods are rated A or B, meaning half the community offers genuinely low-crime living conditions.

Is Bristol, PA a good place to live?

Bristol presents a solid value proposition for prospective residents when key metrics are weighed together. The median home value of $217,727 and median rent of $1,071 are notably affordable relative to the broader Philadelphia metro area, while the median household income of $69,443 provides reasonable purchasing power. The 4.7% unemployment rate sits close to national averages, and the 10.2% poverty rate — while worth monitoring — does not push Bristol into high-distress territory. On the safety front, 50% of neighborhoods carry A or B grades, with Green Lawn Park (A-) and Bath Addition (B+) offering genuinely low-crime environments. The city-wide safety rating of B and the absence of any D- or F-rated neighborhoods reinforce that Bristol avoids the concentrated crime hotspots that affect some nearby communities. For families and individuals seeking a historic riverfront community with manageable crime levels and below-average housing costs, Bristol represents a competitive option in Bucks County.

Which Bristol neighborhoods have the highest crime?

Within the four neighborhoods analyzed, Laurel Bend and Lakeland Estates both hold C+ grades — the lowest ratings in Bristol's dataset. Importantly, C+ is a moderate classification, not a high-crime designation; no neighborhood in Bristol reached a D or F grade. Laurel Bend (population 552) and Lakeland Estates (population 431) are the smaller communities in the dataset, and their C+ grades suggest elevated but not severe crime activity relative to Green Lawn Park and Bath Addition. Residents in these areas are encouraged to use the Bristol Borough Police Department's crime reporting tools and participate in neighborhood watch initiatives to help maintain and improve local safety conditions.