Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Bristol, RI has a Safety Score of 99/100 — safer than 99% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 242.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #38 of 2,971 US cities and #2 of 27 in Rhode Island.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bristol, Rhode Island Safe?
Bristol, Rhode Island, a charming coastal town, boasts a rich maritime history, home to the oldest continuously celebrated Fourth of July parade. Situated on a peninsula, it offers picturesque waterfront views and a population of around 22,000.
Bristol has a safety score of 99/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 242.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bristol ranks #2 out of 27 cities in Rhode Island and #38 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 99th percentile for safety — safer than 99% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Bristol are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Bristol's total crime rate decreased by 9.5%, with violent crime rising 48.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bristol Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 6 | 27.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 1 | 4.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 5 | 22.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 48 | 215.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 3 | 13.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 40 | 179.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 22.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bristol vs Rhode Island Average
How does Bristol's crime rate compare to the Rhode Island state average?
| Metric | Bristol | Rhode Island Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 27.0 | 158.2 | -83.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 215.6 | 1,075.7 | -80.0% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.1 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 242.6 | 1,234.0 | -80.3% |
Bristol Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bristol, Rhode Island.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,262 | 242.6 | 27.0 | 215.6 |
| 2023 | 22,024 | 267.9 | 18.2 | 249.7 |
| 2022 | 22,220 | 355.5 | 54.0 | 301.5 |
| 2021 | 22,550 | 314.9 | 57.7 | 257.2 |
| 2020 | 21,748 | 340.3 | 23.0 | 317.3 |
| 2019 | 22,070 | 539.2 | 72.5 | 466.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol, Rhode Island safe?
Bristol has a safety score of 99/100, meaning it has less crime than about 99% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 242.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bristol is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Bristol, Rhode Island?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bristol has a violent crime rate of 27.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 215.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bristol compare to the national average?
Bristol's total crime rate of 242.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 22,262 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Bristol?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bristol include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bristol safe to visit?
Like any city, Bristol has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 99/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.