5th most populous of 5
With 50,145 residents in 2024, Bristol County ranks 5th by population among Rhode Island's 5 counties and is home to 4.5% of the state's residents.
Bristol County is home to 50,145 people (2024 estimate) on 24 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
50,145
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
50,786
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−1.3%
2020–2024
Land area
24 mi²
63 km²
Population density
2,077.9 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
343
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
550
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−207
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−4
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$99,923
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$2.7 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$114,490
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
6.5%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
53.0%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
9.7%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$513,800
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.5%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202450,145▼ 1%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 50,145 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 49,875 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 50,697 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −1.1% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +36 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −40 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 6.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 11.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Rhode Island | 5th of 5 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $99,923 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $2.7 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $114,490 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 6.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 53.0% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 9.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $513,800 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,528/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 44.2 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 20,104 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Bristol County in context
Comparable indicators for Bristol County, Rhode Island and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Rhode Island | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −1.3% | +1.4% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 6.8 | 8.9 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 11.0 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -0.1 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 2077.9 | 1075.8 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $99,923 | $70,622 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $114,490 | $87,796 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 6.5% | 11.2% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 53.0% | 37.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 9.7% | 15.3% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $513,800 | $404,200 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,528/month | $1,342/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 44.2 years | 40.6 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.8% | 63.6% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Bristol
22,400 residents
Did you know? Bristol County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 50,697 in 2000 to 50,145 in 2024, a change of −1.1%, compared with +5.9% for Rhode Island as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 343 births and 550 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 207.
Peak population in 2004
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 52,213 in 2004. The 2024 figure is 2,068 lower.
1st in density
Bristol County has about 2077.9 residents per square mile of land, ranking 1st of 5 counties; Rhode Island averages 1075.8.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $114,490 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 1st of 5 Rhode Island counties; the state median is $87,796.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $2.7 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 5th largest among 5 Rhode Island counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 7.0% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS