RANK #323 / 996 · POP 576,699 · MA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.4%
Bristol County, Massachusetts, stands out for its strong Portuguese heritage, particularly in cities like Fall River and New Bedford, where a significant portion of residents claim Portuguese ancestry. Located in southeastern Massachusetts, bordering Rhode Island and Buzzards Bay, the county offers a mix of urban and rural environments. Commute options include major interstates like I-195 and I-95, as well as regional transit authorities such as the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) and the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) for bus services. Commuter rail service to Boston from Fall River and New Bedford is also available. The landscape features coastal lowlands, rivers like the Taunton and Acushnet, and extensive wooded areas, providing ample outdoor recreation opportunities at places like Borderland State Park and Massasoit State Park.
Life in Bristol County offers a blend of community settings, from the more urban centers of Fall River and New Bedford to quieter towns like Dartmouth and Easton. Public schools in the county are generally considered above average, with Mansfield High School and Oliver Ames High School among the top-ranked. The economy, historically rooted in whaling and textiles, has evolved. Today, it sees continued activity in manufacturing, electronic components, and jewelry. The region is also experiencing investment in renewable energy and other maritime industries, contributing to a "Blue Economy" that leverages its coastal resources. Agricultural pursuits, including cranberry and vegetable production, also remain a component of the local economy.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
New England Wind 1 and 2 Offshore Wind Project (onshore components)
Park City Wind, Commonwealth Wind, LLC
|
$2,600M | Approved |
|
Salt Cod Storage (Battery Energy Storage System)
Flatiron Energy
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Bristol (350 MW Battery Storage Project)
Undisclosed
|
$350M | Planned |
|
Affordable Housing Development (New Bedford mixed-use)
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bristol County has a Boom Town Index score of 68/100, ranking #323 among 996 U.S. counties. With a median household income of $80,628, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Bristol County is $385,000 with median rent at $1,116/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2094, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: 0.0%. Home values changed +2.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.37% of Bristol County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.