Bristol County, Massachusetts

File:Bristol County Courthouse B&W.jpg

Bristol County, Massachusetts is a county located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 579,200. The county seat is Taunton. The county was created by the Plymouth Colony on June 2, 1685, and named after Bristol, England.

Geography

Bristol County is situated in the southeastern part of Massachusetts. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 691 square miles (1,790 km²), of which 553 square miles (1,430 km²) is land and 138 square miles (360 km²) (20%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Norfolk County - north
• Plymouth County - east
• Bristol County, Rhode Island - west
• Newport County, Rhode Island - southwest
• Providence County, Rhode Island - west

National protected areas

• New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
• Roger Williams National Memorial (part)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 579,200 people, 220,000 households, and 150,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,047 people per square mile (404/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.5% White, 4.5% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 2.0% Asian, and 8.5% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.5% of the population.

Government and politics

Bristol County is part of the 4th and 9th congressional districts of Massachusetts. The county is governed by a board of commissioners and has a sheriff's office responsible for law enforcement and corrections.

Education

Bristol County is home to several institutions of higher education, including:

• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• Bristol Community College

Economy

The economy of Bristol County is diverse, with significant contributions from manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail sectors. The county is also known for its historical significance in the whaling industry, particularly in the city of New Bedford.

Transportation

Bristol County is served by several major highways, including Interstate 195, U.S. Route 6, and Massachusetts Route 24. Public transportation is provided by the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) and the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA).

Communities

Bristol County comprises several cities and towns, including:

• Attleboro
• Fall River
• New Bedford
• Taunton
• Dartmouth
• Fairhaven
• Seekonk

Notable people

• Elizabeth Poole, founder of Taunton
• Robert Treat Paine, signer of the Declaration of Independence

See also

• List of counties in Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol County, Massachusetts

Also see

► Healthcare providers in Massachusetts

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