According to Countryaah, Bristol County, Massachusetts is located in the southeastern corner of the state and borders Rhode Island to the south and New Bedford to the east. It is home to a population of 546,822 people according to 2019 estimates. Bristol County covers a total area of 645 square miles and consists of two main cities – Fall River and Taunton – as well as numerous smaller towns throughout the county.
The county is bordered by three other counties in Massachusetts: Plymouth County to the north, Norfolk County to the west, and Barnstable County to the east. Additionally, Bristol County also shares a border with one county in Rhode Island: Providence County.
Bristol County is situated along Mount Hope Bay which provides some of its residents with access to recreational activities such as boating, fishing, swimming and more. The county also offers plenty of natural beauty with its numerous parks, forests and conservation areas that span across much of its territory.
The county seat for Bristol is located in Taunton which serves as an important economic hub for both Bristol County and Massachusetts more broadly with its many historic sites including Fort Phoenix State Reservation, Harts Four Corners Historic District, Old Colony Historical Society Museum Complex and Taunton Green Historic District among others.
Overall, Bristol County offers plenty for its residents from recreational activities along its coastlines to historic sites throughout its towns providing something for everyone.
Demographics of Bristol County, Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts is home to a population of 546,822 people according to 2019 estimates. The racial composition of the county is predominantly white with 82.2% of the population identifying as such. Additionally, there are also sizeable minority populations in Bristol County with 13.9% of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 4.3% as Black or African American and 2.7% as Asian among others.
In terms of age demographics, Bristol County has a median age of 40 years old with 22.6% under the age of 18 and 11.3% over the age of 65 according to 2019 estimates. Additionally, women make up 50.9% of the county’s population compared to 49.1% men according to 2019 estimates.
In terms of education level, Bristol County has an Overall, high school graduation rate of 88%. Furthermore, 32% percent have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher while 10% have obtained an associate’s degree or some college experience according to 2019 estimates from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates data set.
In terms of economic indicators for Bristol County, its median household income is $67,359 while its unemployment rate stands at 4%. Additionally, poverty levels for Bristol County stand at 11%. Overall, these figures indicate that Bristol County is largely prosperous although there are still some areas within it that could benefit from economic development initiatives in order to further reduce poverty levels and increase employment opportunities for residents in need.
Places of Interest in Bristol County, Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts is home to a variety of places of interest for both residents and visitors to explore. For those looking to take in some of the area’s history and culture, there are numerous museums and historic sites throughout the county. The Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology located in Bristol offers a wide array of exhibits on the history and culture of the region. The Fall River Historical Society Museum provides a look into the city’s rich past with collections of artifacts from its early days as an industrial powerhouse. Additionally, there are several other historic sites such as Four Corners Historic District, Old Colony Historical Society Museum Complex and Taunton Green Historic District among others.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Bristol County has plenty to offer. There are numerous beaches located along its coastlines such as Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Barrington Beach, and Westport Town Beach among many others. Additionally, there are several parks spread out across the county such as Colt State Park which offers stunning views of Narragansett Bay along with walking trails and picnic areas.
Additionally, Bristol County also has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment venues. The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center hosts a wide variety of events ranging from concerts to plays while the Narrows Center for the Arts provides a great venue for live music performances. Finally, Bristol County also houses several unique shops such as Craftworks at East Bay which allows visitors to explore local artisans’ works or browse through antiques at one of their many antique stores located throughout the county.
Overall, Bristol County offers plenty for its residents from recreational activities along its coastlines to historic sites throughout its towns providing something for everyone.
Notable People of Bristol County, Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts is home to a variety of notable people who have made their mark in the world. One of the most famous people to come out of Bristol County is author Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was born in Boston but spent part of his childhood in Fall River and attended school in Bristol County, which is believed to have inspired some of his writing. Another famous author from the county is Robert Cormier who wrote The Chocolate War and I Am The Cheese; both books were set in the fictional city of Monument, which is based on Fall River.
In addition to authors, Bristol County has also produced several prominent political figures such as Senator Edward Kennedy who served as a US Senator from 1962-2009 and was a major player in American politics during that time. There are also several current politicians from the county including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congresswoman Katherine Clark who both serve in the US Senate and House of Representatives respectively.
The county has also produced several prominent athletes such as NFL player Tom Brady who grew up in San Mateo, California but attended high school at Junipero Serra High School located in Bristol County. In addition, there are other athletes such as NBA player Jeff Adrien who played college basketball at UConn before going on to play professionally for multiple teams across Europe and Asia.
Finally, there are also many local celebrities from Bristol County including singer-songwriter David Ryan Harris who has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, and Dave Matthews Band; actor Seth Gabel whose credits include Fringe and Salem; actor/director Matt Damon; comedian Steven Wright; musician/producer Mark Ronson; actress/singer Julianne Hough; writer/director John Waters; model/actress Gisele Bundchen; singer Paula Cole among others.
Overall, Bristol County has produced numerous notable people throughout its history ranging from authors to politicians to athletes to entertainers making it an area rich with culture and history.