Is Bristol safe?
Bristol, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bristol as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Bristol
“Go. Bristol is a peaceful, rural community in Ellis County where crime is exceptionally low and the atmosphere is quiet and pastoral. Visitors coming for scenic country drives or local events will find a very secure, low-stress environment, though you will need a reliable vehicle.”
About the area
Located in eastern Ellis County, Bristol is an unincorporated agricultural and residential community known for its rolling countryside and bluebonnet fields in the spring. It offers open skies, farm properties, and a relaxed small-town Texas character just northeast of Ennis.
- Rural & Quiet
- Agricultural
- Car-Dependent
- Scenic Countryside
Walking and biking in Bristol
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, greenways, or bike-share programs; cycling is limited to long-distance road cyclists using rural two-lane highways with narrow shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to state and national averages
- High rate of homeownership with stable, quiet residential acreage
- Low-density environment with virtually no street-level urban crime risks
- Close proximity to Ennis and scenic rural farm-to-market driving routes
Cons
- Relies entirely on Ellis County Sheriff patrol with potentially longer emergency response times
- Complete lack of pedestrian infrastructure and dark, unlit rural roads at night
- Extremely limited local amenities, requiring travel to nearby towns for medical care and groceries
- Isolated country roads can pose vehicle breakdown or wildlife hazards
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in Bristol. There are no encampments or panhandling, and community social services are located in larger Ellis County hubs like Ennis and Waxahachie.
What Bristol is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and quiet with light local commuter traffic along FM 660 and zero safety concerns.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Peaceful and sunny with wide open rural roads and occasional farm equipment movement.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and tranquil as residents return home, with minimal activity and high personal safety.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black due to a lack of streetlights; completely safe from violent crime but driving requires care due to wildlife and poor lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no public transit agency, commuter rail, or scheduled bus service operating in Bristol; a personal vehicle is required for all travel.
Parking is free, abundant, and easily available on private lots, business gravel driveways, and road shoulders throughout the area.
Things to do in Bristol
- Drive the official Ellis County Bluebonnet Trail routes that wind through Bristol during April
- Enjoy wine tastings and countryside views at the nearby Sugar Ridge Winery
- Tour the quiet rural farm-to-market roads for pastoral photography and birdwatching
Local favorites
- Sugar Ridge Winery · Winery · 4.6★ (185)A relaxed local boutique winery offering tastings, seasonal events, and sweeping rural views just outside Bristol.
- Bristol General Store · Convenience Store · 4.2★ (40)A quintessential rural corner store offering road-trip snacks, cold drinks, and local staples.
- Old Czech Bakery · Bakery · 4.5★ (320)A regional staple in nearby Ennis famous for authentic Czech kolaches, klobasneks, and pastries.
Neighborhoods near Bristol
Common questions about Bristol
Is Bristol safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Bristol a good place to live?
On safety, Bristol scores 82/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Bristol?
Walk score 8/100 and bike score 18/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Bristol are safer?
Bristol scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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