Population593,640 (2025 est.)
Historic Cities With Distinctive Working Traditions
Bristol County, MassachusettsBristol County’s Massachusetts identity includes Taunton, its shire town, and New Bedford, its largest city. Its boundaries and civic center changed over time, while local industries helped give individual communities recognizable identities, including Taunton’s association with silver manufacturing and its Silver City name. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 593,640 residents in Bristol County, Massachusetts, on July 1, 2025.
Bristol County at a Glance
Population593,640 (2025 est.)
County SeatTaunton
Largest CityNew Bedford
Established1685 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water691 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Discover Bristol County
Bristol County
Bristol County originated in Plymouth Colony in 1685. Its later boundary history included the transfer of Bristol, Barrington and Warren to Rhode Island, after which Taunton became the shire town. This helps explain why the county's name reaches beyond its present Massachusetts geography. Taunton's silver-working heritage supplies another useful thread: county government and local manufacturing developed different but complementary roles in the city's identity, linking a regional administrative center with a recognizable tradition of skilled production.
Keep the Massachusetts county distinct from neighboring Rhode Island places when planning a visit. Taunton offers a civic starting point and an opportunity to learn about its Silver City identity, while New Bedford represents another major community within the county. Rather than treating the cities as interchangeable, choose local historical resources for each. Their different roles make a county itinerary more interesting and help connect regional geography with individual community stories.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Its boundaries and civic center changed over time, while local industries helped give individual communities recognizable identities, including Taunton's association with silver manufacturing and its Silver City name.
The Local Story
Bristol County originated in Plymouth Colony in 1685. Its later boundary history included the transfer of Bristol, Barrington and Warren to Rhode Island, after which Taunton became the shire town.
Explore The County
Taunton offers a civic starting point and an opportunity to learn about its Silver City identity, while New Bedford represents another major community within the county.
Discover a region through the stories of its cities.
A Closer Look
Bristol County
Places and perspectives from Bristol County
Bristol County headlines via Google News
Fall River area voter guide to Nov. 3 election. Key races and questions - Fall River Herald News
Fall River area voter guide to Nov. 3 election. Key races and questions Fall River Herald News
Read the Story Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Bristol County
Stories from every corner of Bristol County.
Fall River area voter guide to Nov. 3 election. Key races and questions - Fall River Herald News
Fall River area voter guide to Nov. 3 election. Key races and questions Fall River Herald News
Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Greater New Bedford voter guide to Nov. 3 election. Key races, questions - SouthCoastToday.com
Greater New Bedford voter guide to Nov. 3 election. Key races, questions SouthCoastToday.com
Nov 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Can New Bedford and Fall River Deliver For Healey Like They Did in 2022? - 1420 WBSM
Can New Bedford and Fall River Deliver For Healey Like They Did in 2022? 1420 WBSM
Oct 30, 2026 • 2 min read
One Big Beautiful Bill forces mental health cuts in Bristol County - The New Bedford Light
One Big Beautiful Bill forces mental health cuts in Bristol County The New Bedford Light
Aug 4, 2026 • 2 min read
Massachusetts sheriff accuses ICE of intimidation for not honoring detainer: "Trying to bully us" - CBS News
Massachusetts sheriff accuses ICE of intimidation for not honoring detainer: "Trying to bully us" CBS News
Jul 7, 2026 • 2 min read
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Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Acushnet Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 800 Middle Road, Acushnet, MA 02743. 508-998-0255.
Alma del Mar Charter School – Elementary; grades KG-08. 515 Belleville Ave, New Bedford, MA 02746. 774-206-6827.
Argosy Collegiate Charter School – High; grades 06-12. 263 Hamlet Street, Fall River, MA 02724. 508-567-4725.
Atlantis Charter School – Other; grades KG-12. 991 Jefferson St, Fall River, MA 02721. 508-646-6410.
A. Irvin Studley Elementary School – Elementary; grades KG-04. 299 Rathbun Willard Drive, Attleboro, MA 02703. 508-222-2621.
Berkley Community School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 59 South Main Street, Berkley, MA 02779. 508-822-9550.
Laliberte Elementary School – Elementary; grades 02-04. 777 Pleasant Street, Raynham, MA 02767. 508-824-2731.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Sturdy Memorial Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 211 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. 508-222-5200.
Saint Anne'S Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721. 508-674-5600.
Southcoast Hospitals Group – Acute Care Hospitals. 363 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720. 508-679-3131.
Brown University Health Morton Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 88 Washington Street, Taunton, MA 02780. 508-828-7000.
Southcoast Behavioral Health – Psychiatric. 581 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747. 615-861-6000.
Dr John C Corrigan Mental Health Center – Psychiatric. 49 Hillside Street, Fall River, MA 02720. 508-235-7600.
Arbour-Fuller Hospital – Psychiatric. 200 May Street, South Attleboro, MA 02703. 508-761-8500.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Acushnet Public Library – 232 Middle Road, Acushnet, MA 02743. 508-998-0270.
Attleboro Public Library – 74 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. 508-222-0157.
Berkley Public Library – 2 North Main Street, Berkley, MA 02779. 508-822-3329.
Dartmouth Public Libraries – 732 Dartmouth Street, Dartmouth, MA 02748. 508-999-0726.
Dighton Public Library – 979 Somerset Ave., Dighton, MA 02715. 508-669-6421.
James White Memorial Lib. – 5 Washburn Road, East Freetown, MA 02717. 508-763-5344.
Millicent Library – 45 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. 508-992-5342.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Massachusetts — Registry of Motor Vehicles services
Massachusetts — Vehicle registration renewal
Massachusetts — Vehicle registration changes and replacement documents
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Bristol County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Bristol County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
593,640 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
691.129 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Bristol County originated in Plymouth Colony in 1685. Its later boundary history included the transfer of Bristol, Barrington and Warren to Rhode Island, after which Taunton became the shire town. This helps explain why the county's name reaches beyond its present Massachusetts geography. Taunton's silver-working heritage supplies another useful thread: county government and local manufacturing developed different but complementary roles in the city's identity, linking a regional administrative center with a recognizable tradition of skilled production.
Keep the Massachusetts county distinct from neighboring Rhode Island places when planning a visit. Taunton offers a civic starting point and an opportunity to learn about its Silver City identity, while New Bedford represents another major community within the county. Rather than treating the cities as interchangeable, choose local historical resources for each. Their different roles make a county itinerary more interesting and help connect regional geography with individual community stories.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 553.112 square miles of land and 138.017 square miles of water in Bristol County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Bristol County had an estimated 576,723 residents on July 1, 2020, and 593,640 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 16,917 residents, or about 2.9%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Taunton is the county seat listed for Bristol County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
The National Park Service visitor center and a walk through the historic downtown area have no admission charge. This does not mean that every nearby museum or partner attraction is free; check individual admission details. New Bedford Whaling park fees.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Bristol CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Bristol County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Bristol County