Massachusetts

Bristol

579,200

2020 population

1790

first census record

census records

About Bristol

Bristol, Massachusetts, first appears in the United States federal census in 1790, when it recorded a population of 31,709. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 579,200.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 34 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Wampanoag Lands Dispute 1671, Dartmouth Raid, Fall River Raid, and 387 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census Year	Population	Chart
2020	579,200
2010	548,285
2000	534,678
1990	506,325
1980	474,641
1970	444,301
1960	398,488
1950	381,569
1940	364,637
1930	364,590
1920	359,005
1910	318,573
1900	252,029
1890	186,465
1880	139,040
1870	102,886
1860	93,794
1850	76,192
1840	60,164
1830	49,592
1820	40,908
1810	37,168
1800	33,880
1790	31,709

Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Bristol

Military engagements that took place in Bristol, Massachusetts.

Wampanoag Lands Dispute 1671

Swansea MA Raid — KPW (June 1675)

1675

Attack on Dartmouth 1675

1675

Dartmouth Raid 1675

1675

Attack on Swansea 1675

1675

Attack on Swansea – First Blood of King Philip's War June 24 1675

1675

Battle of Swansea (King Philip's War opening)

1675

Swansea Attack (King Philip's War begins)

1675

Swansea Siege and Relief 1675

1675

Attack on Taunton 1675

1675

Taunton MA First Raid (King Philip's War)

1675

Swansea Raids — King Philip's War Opening

1675

Kipp's Fight / Pocasset Swamp

1675

Pocasset Swamp Fight

1675

First Attack on Swansea 1675

1675

Battle of Eck's Tavern (King Philip's War)

1675

Dartmouth Raid (King Philip's War)

1675

Battle of Taunton 1676

1676

King Philip's War – Raid on Rehoboth MA 1676

1676

Seekonk (Rehoboth Plain) Burning

1676

Killing of King Philip 1676

1676

Battle of Rehoboth (King Philip's War)

1676

Death of King Philip at Mount Hope 1676

1676

Battle of Taunton MA 1676

1676

Rehoboth Burning

1676

Rehoboth Plain Burning 1676

1676

Battle of Cedar Swamp (King Philip's War)

1676

Battle of Hopewell Swamp (King Philip's War)

1676

Weetamoo's Death

1676

Taunton Garrison Battle

1676

British Raid on New Bedford and Fairhaven

1778

British Raid on Bedford and Fairhaven

1778

Historic places in Bristol

National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol, Massachusetts.

ERNESTINA (schooner)

New Bedford

Godfrey, Richard, House

Taunton

Luther, William, House

Swansea

Dean, Lloyd, House

Taunton

Vickery-Baylies House

Taunton

North Taunton Baptist Church

Taunton

McKinstrey House

Taunton

Lincoln, Ambrose, Jr., House

Union Mission Chapel-Historical Hall

Taunton

Bassett, C.J.H., House

Taunton

Brightman, Hathaway, House

Fall River

Apponegansett Meeting House

Dartmouth

New Bedford Historic District

New Bedford

Borden Flats Light Station

Fall River

Kilmer Street Fire Station

Taunton

Lindsey, William, House

Westville Congregational Church

Taunton

Colby, Samuel, House

Taunton

Browse all Massachusettshistoric sites ›

Other counties in Massachusetts

Explore census history and historic records for more Massachusetts counties.

Norfolk Plymouth Suffolk Worcester Barnstable Berkshire Dukes Essex Franklin Hampden Hampshire Middlesex Nantucket

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Bristol County, Massachusetts

This page charts the census history of Bristol County, Massachusetts. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Bristol County, Massachusetts report

Or see a real report first

Explore Massachusetts records

Massachusettshistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Massachusetts›

Frequently asked about Bristol

When does Bristol first appear in the US census?

Bristol, Massachusetts first appears in the federal census in 1790, with a recorded population of 31,709.

What is the population of Bristol?

At the most recent federal census (2020), Bristol had a recorded population of 579,200.

Were any battles fought in Bristol?

34 documented military engagements took place in Bristol, including Wampanoag Lands Dispute 1671, Dartmouth Raid, Fall River Raid.

How many historic places are in Bristol?

387 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Bristol, Massachusetts.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your location View a free sample report