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Bristol, Connecticut Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bristol, Connecticut had a total population of 61,462, the 10th largest city in Connecticut, with a median household income of $79,076, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Bristol Quick Facts

Population 61,462
Median Household Income $79,076
Median Home Value $277,800
Poverty Rate 10.7%
Unemployment Rate 7.3%
Median Age 37.9 years
Homeownership Rate 64.9%
Affordability Ratio 3.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 30.3%
High School Graduation Rate 93.4%
Diversity Index 56/100
Population 61,462 10th of 214
Median Income $79,076 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 10.7% 14% lower than national
Median Home Value $277,800 bottom 30%

How Bristol Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population61,12961,462+0.5%
Median household income$83,458$79,076-5.3%
Median home value$252,300$277,800+10.1%

How Bristol Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.0%
$25K-$50K 16.3%
$50K-$100K 27.5%
$100K+ 41.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.6%
$10K-$15K
3.8%
$15K-$20K
2.3%
$20K-$25K
4.3%
$25K-$30K
3.6%
$30K-$35K
2.8%
$35K-$40K
2.3%
$40K-$45K
4.4%
$45K-$50K
3.1%
$50K-$60K
5.1%
$60K-$75K
11.6%
$75K-$100K
10.8%
$100K-$125K
13.0%
$125K-$150K
6.8%
$150K-$200K
11.7%
$200K+
9.8%

Employment

7.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.6%|National: 5.2%
69.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 64.9%
Renter 35.1%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,338/mo 20.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

56out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 57 | National average: 61

Education

Bristol Rankings in Connecticut

#10 Population of 214
#154 Median Income of 204
#166 Education of 214
#160 Home Value of 205

Cities Similar to Bristol

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Meriden60,545$71,253$241,20022.2%13.2%
West Haven55,351$74,382$291,70030.5%14.1%
East Hartford50,918$70,778$229,70017.2%13.2%
Middletown47,958$79,438$295,30040.2%12.0%
West Hartford63,620$129,890$411,00066.6%6.3%

Population Overview

Bristol is a mid-sized community located in Connecticut. The total population is 61,462. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bristol is 37.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 41.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bristol is $79,076. This is 17% lower than the state median of $95,781. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 5.6%. The median home value is $277,800. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $366,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 64.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Bristol is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.0%.

Education

30.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 42.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bristol, Connecticut is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Connecticut state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 214 Census-designated places in Connecticut. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Bristol, Connecticut?

Bristol, Connecticut has a population of 61,462 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Bristol, CT?

The median household income in Bristol is $79,076, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Bristol, CT?

The poverty rate in Bristol is 10.7%. This means approximately 6,520 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Bristol, Connecticut?

Bristol's population is 61.8% White, 7.3% Black, 21.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Bristol, CT?

The median home value in Bristol is $277,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.

How educated is Bristol, Connecticut?

30.3% of adults (25+) in Bristol hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.