New Bedford
RANK #433 / 996 NAT · #3 / 12 MA · POP 576,699
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#433). Median household income is $80,628. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Bristol County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $385,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,116/month on average.
Population and employment in Bristol County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs 0.0%. Home values shifted +2.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Bristol County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.