Population 5,552 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Bristol: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Bristol
Household size in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.47 | 2.50 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.49 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Bristol has 2.47 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. New Hampshire as a whole looks much the same. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the north.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.0 | 40.6 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.7 | 42.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.8 | 43.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.7 | 44.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.7 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
Bristol skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.7, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 45.0, mirroring the country. Of the 68 New Hampshire cities with 5,000+ people, only six are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 8.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 8.5% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in ten households in Bristol (9.9%), a little below the national share of 11.6%. Still, single parents are more common here than in New Hampshire as a whole (8.5%). Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 1.7 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bristol
Renters in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 27.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.4% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.3% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 22.1% | 27.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 22.1% of households in Bristol rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 50.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the west. The renter share has fallen 1.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.9% | 12.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.2% | 12.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 35.7% | 12.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 28.9% | 11.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −13.0 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 28.9% of the housing in Bristol, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 13.0 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1971 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1974 | 1972 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Bristol was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $790 | $1,018 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $869 | $1,094 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $869 | $1,224 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,198 | $1,597 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$409 | +$580 | +$606 |
The median renter in Bristol pays $1,198 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $409 a month from 2006–10, a 52% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.3% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the east and lowest in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bristol
Bachelor's degrees in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 33.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.1% | 35.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.0% | 37.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.0% | 41.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +7.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Bristol (33.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in New Hampshire overall (41.1%). The share with a degree is up 8.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.9% | 91.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.3% | 92.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.6% | 93.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.2% | 94.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Bristol is a bit above the national rate: 92.2% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in New Hampshire overall (94.5%). The share with a diploma has risen 2.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bristol
| Period | Bristol | New Hampshire | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.9% | 5.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 6.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 3.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Bristol has been strong: just 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 1.7 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bristol compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 2.47 | 49.7 | 9.9% | 22.1% | 28.9% | 1977 | $1,198 | 33.0% | 92.2% | 2.2% |
| Alexandria | 2.60 | 52.6 | 6.5% | 6.5% | 20.4% | 1985 | $1,135 | 25.9% | 84.3% | 2.5% |
| Hill | 2.69 | 49.1 | 3.7% | 5.2% | 11.3% | 1981 | $1,132 | 30.6% | 93.7% | 2.1% |
| Hill Center | 2.62 | 49.1 | 3.2% | 5.8% | 11.9% | 1978 | $1,171 | 30.4% | 93.2% | 2.5% |
| New Hampton | 2.59 | 54.0 | 4.8% | 13.5% | 18.5% | 1989 | $938 | 34.0% | 95.1% | 1.2% |
| Hebron | 2.36 | 56.5 | 5.3% | 11.7% | 39.0% | 1979 | $1,569 | 43.3% | 95.1% | 4.8% |
| Elmwood | 2.25 | 47.4 | 7.8% | 9.0% | 16.0% | 1977 | $1,279 | 17.8% | 92.4% | 5.7% |
| North Sanbornton | 2.70 | 43.8 | 10.6% | 11.6% | 27.3% | 1989 | $1,319 | 36.4% | 91.4% | 4.9% |
| Danbury | 2.24 | 47.9 | 7.6% | 9.7% | 15.3% | 1978 | $1,267 | 21.1% | 92.7% | 5.4% |
| Ashland | 2.24 | 45.2 | 12.5% | 32.7% | 27.4% | 1975 | $1,173 | 35.7% | 92.9% | 3.0% |
| East Andover | 2.34 | 45.1 | 6.6% | 10.2% | 18.3% | 1974 | $1,151 | 31.7% | 91.6% | 1.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: New Lebanon, OH · Sunset Beach, NC · Surf City, NC · Surfside Beach, SC · Surfside, FL · Pearl Harbor, HI · Greenback, TN · Greendale, IN · Brielle, NJ · Foster, RI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bristol. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.