Settled in 1681, Bristol is home to nearly 23,000 Rhode Islanders. As one of Rhode Island’s original ports of call, Bristol is known for having the “Oldest 4th of July Celebration in America”. The month-long festivities attract over 100,000 tourist each year. Bristol is ranked among the Best Small Towns in America, Safest Cities in America, and Most Interesting U.S. Destinations. The Town of Bristol is a popular relocation destination due to its proximity to nearby metros and scenic views. The Town of Bristol has a thriving maritime industry, composite manufacturing core, wedding industry, and restaurant scene. Bristol is the home of Roger Williams University, which has over 4,000 students in its undergraduate program.
Looking for more information? Contact Chris Vitale by emailing cvitale@bristolri.gov.
Major Employers
Town and County of Bristol
Major Employers (*Coming Soon)
| Business | Sector | Number of Employees |
| * | * | * |
Housing
According to census data, there are 8,418 households in Bristol. The owner-occupied housing percentage is 65.1%. Our average home price is currently $313,200 in the Town of Bristol.
The average gross monthly rent in Bristol is $1,060 (U.S. Census, 2014-2018 Estimate).
From 2017-2018, there was a 76% increase in the number of short-term rentals in Bristol (118 Total). As of 12/31/2018, the average daily rental rate on Airbnb was $139/night. The average duration of stay was 2 1/2 days.
Cost of Living
Index includes groceries, housing utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. Bristol’s comparatively lower in housing cost than many popular New England suburbs.
| Towns | Index Number |
| Arlington, MA | 174.1 |
| Oak Bluffs, MA | 145.6 |
| Rockport, MA | 144.8 |
| Newburyport, MA | 140 |
| Newport, RI | 134.3 |
| Barrington, RI | 131.8 |
| Portsmouth, NH | 127.6 |
| Stonington, CT | 126.9 |
| Mystic, CT | 125.8 |
| Salem, MA | 123.2 |
| South Kingstown, RI | 121.6 |
| Bristol, RI | 117.9 |
Downtown
Bristol’s downtown serves as a hub for activity for the entire East Bay region.
Development: Anchored by several multi-million dollar infrastructure projects in the downtown area, the Town has two active development.
- Unity Park – A visionary 200,000+ square foot redevelopment project that is expected to include a 100+ unit senior living community, restaurant, and commercial space.
- Bristol Marina Expansion – A 79-slip expansion to the municipally-operated marina will include new resident and transient spaces.
Employees: More than 11,000 people work in Bristol, Rhode Island, with the local unemployment rate being 2.8% as of December 2019.
Students & Universities: More than 4,000 undergraduate students attend Roger Williams University at their main campus in Bristol. 37.9% of residents over 25 hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Mobility: The mean travel time to work is approximately 23.5 minutes. In 2019, Bristol was added as a stop on the State’s seasonal high speed ferry service line between Providence and Newport. In the State’s TransitForwardRI 2040 master plan, Bristol is being considered for an Express Bus route. The Town of Bristol serves as the southern terminus for the 14.5-mile East Bay Bike Path.
Tourism: According to a 2015 RI Economic Impact Study, Bristol County attracts over 309,000 visitors each year. In 2019, Bristol venues hosted over 250 weddings per year, each costing $37,785. The State of Rhode Island welcomed nearly 26.2 million people in 2019, spending approximately $7.1 Billion.
Hot Opportunities
There are several development opportunities around Bristol:
Thames Street: With its central, waterfront location downtown, Thames Street offers a unique mixed use redevelopment opportunity. Designated Opportunity Zone, dedicated resident slips, historic site, unobstructed views of Bristol Harbor.
Gooding Avenue: This “Corridor of Opportunity” is the primary connection between Bristol’s two main arteries (Rt. 114, Rt. 136). This area includes a concentration of undeveloped land in Bristol. The corridor includes a Commuter Bus Stop and the Bristol Shopping Center.
North Metacom: As Bristol’s most traveled roadway, Metacom Avenue services local residents as well as regional travelers in Eastern Rhode Island. There are currently two opportunities located at the northeastern gateway to the town.