City · Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, city, in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. Bristol had 62,341 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 60,833 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 61,462 (±29). GEOID 0908420.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
62,341
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 60,833 · ACS 2020-2024: 61,462 ±29
Median household income
$79,076
±$5,956 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $95,781
Median home value
$277,800
±$8,329 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $366,900
Median gross rent
$1,338
±$45 (90% margin)
Connecticut: $1,488
Where is Bristol and what county is it in?
Bristol is a city in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. It covers 26.4 square miles of land, 2,304 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bristol is in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bristol, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 62,341 people lived in Bristol on July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, in line with Connecticut (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 60,833 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 61,462 (±29).
| Measure | Bristol | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 61,462 ±29 | 454,969 | +1,244 |
| Households | 24,453 ±787 | 180,116 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48 ±0.08 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 26,369 ±848 | 192,551 | no clear change |
Bristol's population since 2000
From 60,062 in 2000 to 62,341 in 2025: up 3.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bristol as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bristol?
The median resident of Bristol is 37.9 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 16.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 21.0%. 11.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bristol | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 ±1.5 | 41.8 | −2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 20.1% ±1.4 pts | 20.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.2% ±1.0 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Male | 50.6% ±1.3 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 21.0% ±2.7 pts | 19.9% | +3.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.8% ±2.8 pts | 59.8% | −11.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.3% ±1.8 pts | 10.6% | +2.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.1% ±1.3 pts | 3.8% | +2.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2% ±1.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.4% ±1.5 pts | 14.2% | +2.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 22.5% ±2.8 pts | 23.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±0.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| With a disability | 16.4% ±1.4 pts | 13.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.6% ±1.0 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4% ±1.1 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.3% ±2.0 pts | 33.8% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.4% ±1.3 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.1% ±2.0 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bristol earn?
Half of Bristol's 24,453 households earn less than $79,076 a year (±$5,956), against $86,191 in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region and $95,781 in Connecticut. In 2015-2019 it was $83,080 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bristol | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,076 ±$5,956 | $86,191 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $96,954 ±$3,421 | $114,324 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,503 ±$1,463 | $46,363 | −$4,234 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.7% ±2.0 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.3% ±5.6 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.9% ±2.0 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.8% ±1.2 pts | 94.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.4% ±1.5 pts | 90.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bristol?
Owners occupy 64.9% of Bristol's occupied homes and renters 35.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $277,800 by its owner (±$8,329). The median renter pays $1,338 a month including utilities, and 41.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bristol | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $277,800 ±$8,329 | $317,700 | +$34,369 |
| Median gross rent | $1,338 ±$45 | $1,330 | +$74 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.5% ±5.3 pts | 44.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,999 ±$85 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.9% ±2.0 pts | 68.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 35.1% ±2.0 pts | 31.4% | – |
| Housing units | 26,369 ±848 | 192,551 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.3% ±1.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 55.0% ±2.0 pts | 59.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 2.1% ±0.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.2% ±1.8 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% ±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bristol building?
Builders took permits for 46 new housing units in Bristol in 2025 (35 in single-family houses), 0.7 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Connecticut.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bristol work and get to work?
75.0% of Bristol's workers drive alone and 11.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Bristol | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.2% ±1.8 pts | 65.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% ±1.5 pts | 6.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.0% ±2.7 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.4% ±2.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.4% ±1.7 pts | 12.7% | +7.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.7 min ±1.0 | 28.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bristol?
14 census tracts lie mostly in Bristol (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $40,833 (Tract 4057) to $130,804 (Tract 4058.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4056Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 8,016 | $83,533 |
| Tract 4053Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,790 | $94,432 |
| Tract 4055Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,740 | $78,946 |
| Tract 4059Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 5,008 | $121,308 |
| Tract 4060.02Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,551 | $101,399 |
| Tract 4058.02Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,482 | $130,804 |
| Tract 4060.01Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,462 | $66,988 |
| Tract 4052Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,121 | $71,056 |
| Tract 4054.02Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,117 | $63,250 |
| Tract 4061Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 3,903 | $43,250 |
| Tract 4058.01Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 3,073 | $105,433 |
| Tract 4051Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 3,061 | $94,205 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bristol) · Census block assignment files
How does Bristol compare with other places in Connecticut?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bristol is the 645th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 9th-most populous of 30 in Connecticut.
Bristol ranks 246th of 294 places in Connecticut with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 9th | 30 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 73rd | 167 |
| Residents per square mile | 50th | 303 |
| Median household income | 246th | 294 |
| Per capita income | 256th | 303 |
| Median home value | 243rd | 300 |
| Median gross rent | 180th | 266 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd | 202 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 241st | 297 |
| Median age | 262nd | 301 |
| Owner-occupied share | 239th | 300 |
| Work from home | 222nd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 229th | 302 |
Bristol's figures with every place in Connecticut (CSV)
Every place in Connecticut, sortable · Compare Bristol with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bristol?
4 of the 57 figures for Bristol on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bristol are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bristol.