RANK #804 / 996 NAT · POP 50,658
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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.
The data is not encouraging — Bristol County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #804 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.8% and median household income of $105,875 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Bristol County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $443,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,264/month on average.
Employers in Bristol County are hiring — job growth of +2.8% — but the population is close to flat (-0.0% YoY). Home values moved -0.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.53% 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.