County · Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts. Bristol County had 593,640 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.5% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). It holds 29 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs, 14 towns and townships and 10 census-designated) and 131 census tracts. GEOID 25005.
Bristol County is one of the 6 counties of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
593,640
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 579,200 · ACS 2020-2024: 582,270
Median household income
$85,625
±$1,601 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $103,960
Median home value
$451,200
±$3,411 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $562,100
Median gross rent
$1,245
±$19 (90% margin)
Massachusetts: $1,762
How many people live in Bristol County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 579,200 residents in Bristol County. The Census Bureau estimates 593,640 for July 1, 2025, up 2.5% since 2020, faster than Massachusetts (+1.7%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 582,270 over 553 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bristol County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 582,270 | 7,044,056 | +21,233 |
| Households | 233,825±963 | 2,785,042 | +15,913 |
| Average household size | 2.43±0.01 | 2.44 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 245,025±209 | 3,030,406 | +9,750 |
Bristol County's population since 2000
From 534,678 in 2000 to 593,640 in 2025: up 11.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bristol County?
Bristol County holds 29 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 10 census-designated places. The largest is New Bedford with 101,834 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| New Bedford | 101,079 | $56,981 |
|---|---|---|
| Fall River | 94,000 | $56,673 |
| Taunton | 59,408 | $79,283 |
| Attleboro | 46,461 | $98,954 |
| Dartmouth | 33,783 | $99,839 |
| North Attleborough Town | 30,834 | $112,665 |
| Easton | 25,058 | $124,271 |
| Mansfield | 23,860 | $125,273 |
| Norton | 19,202 | $124,535 |
| Somerset | 18,303 | $112,677 |
| Swansea | 17,144 | $116,364 |
| Westport | 16,339 | $96,000 |
| Fairhaven | 15,924 | $95,965 |
| Seekonk | 15,531 | $120,613 |
| Raynham | 15,142 | $124,012 |
| Rehoboth | 12,502 | $138,214 |
| Acushnet | 10,559 | $89,503 |
| Freetown | 9,206 | $143,884 |
| Dighton | 8,101 | $136,646 |
| Mansfield Center | 7,830 | $97,798 |
| Berkley | 6,764 | $144,205 |
| Bliss Corner | 5,480 | $75,420 |
| Smith Mills | 4,832 | $64,818 |
| North Westport | 4,720 | $87,582 |
| Raynham Center | 4,365 | $132,382 |
| Acushnet Center | 3,030 | $71,864 |
| Ocean Grove | 2,904 | $118,696 |
| North Seekonk | 2,726 | $114,712 |
| Norton Center | 2,677 | $119,949 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bristol County?
The median resident of Bristol County is 40.9 years old; 20.5% are under 18 and 17.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.2%. 13.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bristol County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.9±0.2 | 40.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.5% | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.8% | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.2% | 13.3% | +2.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.3%±0.4 pts | 66.6% | −6.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.0%±0.2 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.1 pts | 7.3% | 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 | 6.2%±0.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 13.6%±0.5 pts | 18.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 21.7%±0.7 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±0.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.9%±0.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.3%±0.3 pts | 2.6% | +0.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7%±0.4 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.8%±0.7 pts | 47.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.4%±0.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Bristol County's 233,825 households earn less than $85,625 a year (±$1,601), against $103,960 in Massachusetts. In 2015-2019 it was $85,035 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bristol County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $85,625±$1,601 | $103,960 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $111,532±$1,774 | $144,950 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,757±$681 | $57,897 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.3%±0.5 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.7%±1.3 pts | 11.7% | −2.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.8%±0.7 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.2%±0.6 pts | 92.8% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 62.3% of Bristol County's occupied homes and renters 37.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $451,200 by its owner (±$3,411). The median renter pays $1,245 a month including utilities, and 42.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bristol County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $451,200±$3,411 | $562,100 | +$82,238 |
| Median gross rent | $1,245±$19 | $1,762 | +$136 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.3%±1.5 pts | 41.8% | +5.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,394±$23 | $2,726 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.3%±0.8 pts | 62.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 245,025±209 | 3,030,406 | +9,750 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1%±0.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 52.6%±0.8 pts | 51.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.8%±0.7 pts | 30.5% | – |
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 Bristol County building?
Builders took permits for 1,156 new housing units across Bristol County in 2025 (439 single-family), 1.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bristol County get to work?
74.5% of Bristol County's workers drive alone and 11.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.5%.
| Measure | Bristol County | Massachusetts | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.2%±0.6 pts | 67.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5%±0.4 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.5%±0.7 pts | 61.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±0.5 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9%±0.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.0%±0.2 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.1%±0.5 pts | 18.6% | +7.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min±0.4 | 29.1 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 are Bristol County's census tracts?
Bristol County is divided into 131 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $21,003 (Tract 6518) to $176,314 (Tract 6303.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bristol County compare with Massachusetts's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 6th of 14 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 5th of 14 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 14 |
| Median household income | 11th of 14 |
| Median home value | 9th of 14 |
| Median gross rent | 11th of 14 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 14 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 14 |
| Median age | 8th of 14 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.