RANK #599 / 996 · POP 50,658 · RI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.4%
Bristol County, Rhode Island, is perhaps best known for the town of Bristol's annual Fourth of July Celebration, the oldest continuous observance in the United States, dating back to 1785. Located on a peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay, the county offers a coastal New England feel. It is approximately 18 miles southeast of Providence and 65 miles south of Boston, with commute options including bus service and a seasonal ferry to Providence and Newport. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Colt State Park providing 464 acres of waterfront access, paved bike paths, and open fields for various activities. The East Bay Bike Path also stretches 14.5 miles from Bristol to Providence, offering scenic views.
Life in Bristol County often appeals to families and retirees, with a strong sense of community. The public schools in towns like Barrington are highly rated. The economy is largely driven by marine industries, including boat building, manufacturing, and tourism, benefiting from its deep-water seaport heritage. Roger Williams University also contributes to the local economy and cultural landscape. Recent economic development initiatives have focused on strengthening the "blue economy" sector, with investments in areas like Unity Park in Bristol, which features companies in electric outboard motors and amphibious boats.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Water Pollution Control Facility Upgrades
Town of Bristol
|
$50M | Under Construction |
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 40/100, ranking #599 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.8% and a median household income of $105,875, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Bristol County is $443,700 with median rent at $1,264/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2386, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.8%. Home values changed -0.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.53% of Bristol County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.