City · Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, city, in Bristol County, Massachusetts. New Bedford had 101,834 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 101,079 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 100,998 (±45). GEOID 2545000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
101,834
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 101,079 · ACS 2020-2024: 100,998 ±45
Median household income
$56,981
±$3,070 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$357,300
±$5,595 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,137
±$26 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
Where is New Bedford and what county is it in?
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It covers 20.0 square miles of land, 5,053 residents per square mile in 2020.
New Bedford is in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (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 New Bedford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 101,834 people lived in New Bedford on July 1, 2025, up 0.8% since 2020, slower than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020 Census counted 101,079 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 100,998 (±45).
| Measure | New Bedford | Bristol County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 100,998 ±45 | 582,270 | +5,759 |
| Households | 42,271 ±859 | 233,825 | +3,383 |
| Average household size | 2.35 ±0.05 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 44,346 ±790 | 245,025 | +1,753 |
New Bedford's population since 2000
From 93,768 in 2000 to 101,834 in 2025: up 8.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for New Bedford 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 New Bedford?
The median resident of New Bedford is 37.0 years old; 23.9% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 25.8%. 20.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | New Bedford | Bristol County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.0 ±0.8 | 40.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.9% ±1.0 pts | 20.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4% ±0.8 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Male | 50.8% ±0.9 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 25.8% ±1.7 pts | 10.2% | +5.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.1% ±1.9 pts | 75.3% | −6.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±0.9 pts | 4.0% | −2.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3% ±0.4 pts | 2.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 9.8% ±1.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 4.4% ±1.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 20.4% ±1.6 pts | 13.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 37.7% ±2.0 pts | 21.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.0% ±0.6 pts | 5.2% | – |
| With a disability | 16.6% ±0.9 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.4% ±0.7 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 76.7% ±1.4 pts | 86.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.0% ±1.2 pts | 30.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2% ±0.6 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 88.4% ±1.3 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 New Bedford earn?
Half of New Bedford's 42,271 households earn less than $56,981 a year (±$3,070), against $85,625 in Bristol County and $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $57,007 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | New Bedford | Bristol County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,981 ±$3,070 | $85,625 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,329 ±$2,211 | $111,532 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,556 ±$860 | $44,757 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.6% ±1.7 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.9% ±3.5 pts | 14.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 33.1% ±1.8 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 92.9% ±1.2 pts | 94.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6% ±1.4 pts | 90.2% | – |
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 New Bedford?
Owners occupy 40.3% of New Bedford's occupied homes and renters 59.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $357,300 by its owner (±$5,595). The median renter pays $1,137 a month including utilities, and 44.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | New Bedford | Bristol County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $357,300 ±$5,595 | $451,200 | +$78,056 |
| Median gross rent | $1,137 ±$26 | $1,245 | +$95 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.5% ±2.8 pts | 42.3% | +6.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,041 ±$71 | $2,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 40.3% ±1.6 pts | 62.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 59.7% ±1.6 pts | 37.7% | – |
| Housing units | 44,346 ±790 | 245,025 | +1,753 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.4% ±0.7 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 30.5% ±1.2 pts | 52.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.5% ±0.4 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 52.1% ±1.8 pts | 31.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.6% ±1.3 pts | 9.5% | – |
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 New Bedford building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in New Bedford in 2025 (2 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 1.7 across Massachusetts.
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 New Bedford work and get to work?
72.1% of New Bedford's workers drive alone and 5.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.3%.
| Measure | New Bedford | Bristol County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.4% ±1.4 pts | 65.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.3% ±1.3 pts | 5.5% | +1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 72.1% ±2.0 pts | 74.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.2% ±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 2.7% ±0.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.3% ±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.4% ±0.9 pts | 11.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min ±1.0 | 28.5 min | −1.3 min |
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 New Bedford?
31 census tracts lie mostly in New Bedford, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $21,003 (Tract 6518) to $94,844 (Tract 6501.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 6501.01Bristol County | 5,540 | $94,844 |
| Tract 6501.02Bristol County | 5,489 | $69,917 |
| Tract 6511Bristol County | 5,458 | $65,613 |
| Tract 6508Bristol County | 4,218 | $41,844 |
| Tract 6510.02Bristol County | 4,098 | $87,014 |
| Tract 6504Bristol County | 3,983 | $54,024 |
| Tract 6516Bristol County | 3,732 | $59,375 |
| Tract 6514Bristol County | 3,501 | $75,970 |
| Tract 6505Bristol County | 3,479 | $59,479 |
| Tract 6527Bristol County | 3,469 | $39,392 |
| Tract 6526Bristol County | 3,399 | $44,063 |
| Tract 6525Bristol County | 3,337 | $56,689 |
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 New Bedford) · Census block assignment files
How does New Bedford compare with other places in Massachusetts?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, New Bedford is the 331st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 9th-most populous of 58 in Massachusetts.
New Bedford ranks 439th of 453 places in Massachusetts with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 9th | 58 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 198th | 292 |
| Residents per square mile | 22nd | 461 |
| Median household income | 439th | 453 |
| Per capita income | 452nd | 460 |
| Median home value | 390th | 459 |
| Median gross rent | 343rd | 410 |
| Poverty rate | 10th | 338 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 450th | 459 |
| Median age | 431st | 461 |
| Owner-occupied share | 452nd | 460 |
| Work from home | 425th | 429 |
| Travel time to work | 356th | 459 |
New Bedford's figures with every place in Massachusetts (CSV)
Every place in Massachusetts, sortable · Compare New Bedford 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 New Bedford?
5 of the 57 figures for New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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 New Bedford.