Bristol, VA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Bristol Safe?
Bristol has a crime rate that is 41% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 422.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 422
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 80
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% lower than national average
Bristol Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bristol Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Bristol Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Bristol zip codes.
Bristol Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bristol, VA?
Bristol, VA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 41% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 422 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 80 chance for property crime. Bristol has lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bristol, VA safe to live in?
Bristol is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bristol is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bristol?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bristol is 236.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 422 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (38% below average); aggravated assault at 172.0 per 100K (36% below average); robbery at 41.8 per 100K (43% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Bristol?
The estimated property crime rate in Bristol is 1,250.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 80 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 174.5 per 100K (35% below average); larceny/theft at 882.6 per 100K (37% below average); vehicle theft at 193.3 per 100K (39% below average).
How does Bristol crime compare to the national average?
Bristol's overall crime rate is 41% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (35% below average), while robbery is 43% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bristol has lower crime than 77% of them.
Is Bristol safe to visit?
Bristol is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Bristol crime compare to the rest of Virginia?
Virginia as a whole has crime that is 12% above the national average. Bristol's crime rate is 41% below the national average, making it safer the typical Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Bristol?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bristol, with an estimated rate of 882.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 37% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,250 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (237 per 100K) in Bristol, which is consistent with national trends.