Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Bristol, VA has a Safety Score of 13/100 — higher crime than 87% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,463.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,578 of 2,971 US cities and #30 of 38 in Virginia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bristol, Virginia Safe?
Nestled in Southwest Virginia's Appalachian Mountains, Bristol is a twin city with its Tennessee counterpart, sharing State Street as a unique border. It holds the distinction as the "Birthplace of Country Music," a heritage deeply rooted in its culture.
Bristol has a safety score of 13/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,463.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bristol ranks #30 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #2578 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 13th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 87% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Bristol is rape, at 95.4 per 100K — 2.2x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Bristol's total crime rate decreased by 21.9%, with violent crime declining 14.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bristol Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 73 | 435.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 16 | 95.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 35.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 51 | 304.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 508 | 3,028.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 49 | 292.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 430 | 2,563.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 29 | 172.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bristol vs Virginia Average
How does Bristol's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Bristol | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.2 | 338.9 | +28.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,028.3 | 2,386.6 | +26.9% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 9.8 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,463.5 | 2,725.5 | +27.1% |
Bristol Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bristol, Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16,775 | 3,463.5 | 435.2 | 3,028.3 |
| 2023 | 16,831 | 4,432.3 | 511.0 | 3,921.3 |
| 2022 | 16,909 | 3,051.6 | 372.6 | 2,679.1 |
| 2021 | 17,265 | 2,496.4 | 388.1 | 2,108.3 |
| 2020 | 16,640 | 2,782.5 | 378.6 | 2,403.9 |
| 2019 | 16,234 | 2,710.4 | 320.3 | 2,390.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bristol, Virginia safe?
Bristol has a safety score of 13/100, meaning it has less crime than about 13% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,463.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bristol is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Bristol, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bristol has a violent crime rate of 435.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,028.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bristol compare to the national average?
Bristol's total crime rate of 3,463.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 16,775 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 13/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.