Bristol County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 41°45′N71°05′W / 41.75°N 71.09°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Massachusetts |
Founded | June 2, 1685 (from Plymouth Colony) |
Named for | Bristol, Rhode Island |
Seat | Taunton |
Largest city | New Bedford |
Area | |
• Total | 691 sq mi (1,790 km2) |
• Land | 553 sq mi (1,430 km2) |
• Water | 138 sq mi (360 km2) 20% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 579,200 |
• Density | 1,047.2/sq mi (404.3/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional districts | 4th, 8th, 9th |
Website | countyofbristol |
Bristol County is a county in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As of the 2020 census, the population was 579,200. [1] The shire town is Taunton. [2] Some governmental functions are performed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, others by the county, and others by local towns and cities. The county is the sixth most populous county in Massachusetts.
Bristol County is part of the Providence–Warwick, RI–MA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Boston–Worcester–Providence, MA–RI–NH–CT Combined Statistical Area. The county is adjacent to the state of Rhode Island. It is geographically adjacent to the Massachusetts counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, and Dukes (via water), and the Rhode Island counties of Bristol, Newport, and Providence.
Bristol County was created by the Plymouth Colony on June 2, 1685, [3] and named after its "shire town" (county seat), Bristol. [4] The Plymouth Colony, along with the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Maine Colony and several other small settlements were rechartered in 1691, by King William III, to become The Province of Massachusetts Bay.
The towns of Bristol, Barrington, and Warren were awarded to Rhode Island in 1746 as part of the settlement of a long-running boundary dispute (see History of Massachusetts), forming Bristol County, Rhode Island. At the same time, Cumberland, Rhode Island was carved out of Attleborough, Massachusetts and annexed to Providence County, Rhode Island; Tiverton and Little Compton were transferred to Newport County, Rhode Island. East Freetown was officially purchased by Freetown, Massachusetts, from Tiverton in 1747, and so remained on the Massachusetts side.
After the departure of Bristol, Taunton was made the shire town of the county. A second county courthouse was constructed in 1828 in the growing town of New Bedford (designed a "half-shire town"). In 1862, a part of Seekonk (that portion of which is now East Providence, Rhode Island) and the entirety of East Pawtucket were transferred to Providence County, Rhode Island. At the same time, land ceded from Rhode Island was added to Fall River and Westport. The growing Fall River became the site of the third county courthouse in 1877. [4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 691 square miles (1,790 km2), of which 553 square miles (1,430 km2) is land and 138 square miles (360 km2) (20%) is water. [5] The highest point in Bristol County is Sunrise Hill (Watery Hill) at 390 feet (120 m) above sea level located in World War I Memorial Park in North Attleborough. It is also to note that Bristol, Plymouth and Taunton are all places in South West England. Their Massachusetts cousins were named after the originals as South West England was the focal point for sailing and discovery at the time of America's discovery. John Cabot set sail from Bristol and sailed down the Severn on which lies Newport in Wales.
To the south, Dukes County is opposite Buzzards Bay from Bristol County.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 31,696 | — | |
1800 | 33,880 | 6.9% | |
1810 | 37,168 | 9.7% | |
1820 | 40,908 | 10.1% | |
1830 | 49,592 | 21.2% | |
1840 | 60,164 | 21.3% | |
1850 | 76,192 | 26.6% | |
1860 | 93,794 | 23.1% | |
1870 | 102,886 | 9.7% | |
1880 | 139,040 | 35.1% | |
1890 | 186,465 | 34.1% | |
1900 | 252,029 | 35.2% | |
1910 | 318,573 | 26.4% | |
1920 | 359,005 | 12.7% | |
1930 | 364,590 | 1.6% | |
1940 | 364,637 | 0.0% | |
1950 | 381,569 | 4.6% | |
1960 | 398,488 | 4.4% | |
1970 | 444,301 | 11.5% | |
1980 | 474,641 | 6.8% | |
1990 | 506,325 | 6.7% | |
2000 | 534,678 | 5.6% | |
2010 | 548,285 | 2.5% | |
2020 | 579,200 | 5.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 581,841 | [6] | 0.5% |
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [11] |
At the 2000 census there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families in the county. The population density was 962 inhabitants per square mile (371/km2). There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile (150/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.98% White, 2.03% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.12% from other races, and 2.34% from two or more races. 3.60% [12] was Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.7% were of Portuguese, 13.0% Irish, 8.9% French, 8.2% English, 6.8% Italian and 6.4% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000. 79.1% spoke English, 13.9% Portuguese, 2.9% Spanish and 1.6% French as their first language. The United States Census Bureau reported Bristol County as being one of two counties in the United States with a plurality of people of Portuguese ancestry [13] (the other being the contiguous Bristol County, Rhode Island).
Of the 205,411 households 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. Of all households 26.50% were one person and 11.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.50 males.
The median household income was $43,496 and the median family income was $53,733. Males had a median income of $39,361 versus $27,516 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,978. About 7.80% of families and 10.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.00% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of that age 65 or over.
At the 2010 census, there were 548,285 people, 213,010 households, and 141,338 families in the county. [14] The population density was 991.3 inhabitants per square mile (382.7/km2). There were 230,535 housing units at an average density of 416.8 per square mile (160.9/km2). [15] The racial makeup of the county was 88.4% white, 3.3% black, 1.9% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 3.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 6.0% of the population. [14] The largest ancestry groups were: [16]
Of the 213,010 households, 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.6% were non-families, and 27.4% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 39.8 years. [14]
The median household income was $54,955 and the median family income was $70,161. Males had a median income of $51,785 versus $39,714 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,736. About 8.8% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over. [17]
The ranking of unincorporated communities that are included on the list are reflective if the census designated locations and villages were included as cities or towns. Data is from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. [18] [19] [20]
Rank | Town | Per capita income | Median household income | Median family income | Population | Number of households | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mansfield | Town | $39,792 | $98,182 | $112,788 | 23,094 | 8,161 |
2 | Easton | Town | $39,751 | $89,714 | $111,045 | 23,061 | 7,852 |
3 | Rehoboth | Town | $38,415 | $87,563 | $97,711 | 11,470 | 4,093 |
4 | Westport | Town | $35,337 | $73,736 | $83,289 | 15,396 | 5,867 |
Massachusetts | State | $35,051 | $65,981 | $83,371 | 6,512,227 | 2,522,409 | |
5 | Raynham | Town | $34,904 | $82,855 | $96,190 | 13,208 | 4,739 |
6 | North Attleborough | Town | $34,374 | $80,757 | $94,469 | 28,593 | 10,426 |
7 | Dighton | Town | $34,258 | $85,284 | $94,044 | 7,003 | 2,386 |
8 | Swansea | Town | $33,910 | $71,716 | $79,486 | 15,886 | 6,173 |
North Westport | CDP | $33,858 | $67,614 | $82,827 | 4,188 | 1,700 | |
9 | Seekonk | Town | $33,136 | $78,032 | $89,833 | 13,700 | 4,752 |
10 | Freetown | Town | $32,437 | $82,208 | $93,773 | 8,828 | 3,150 |
11 | Dartmouth | Town | $32,138 | $73,007 | $86,650 | 33,759 | 12,119 |
Raynham Center | CDP | $32,034 | $84,028 | $91,154 | 4,619 | 1,563 | |
Mansfield Center | CDP | $31,762 | $71,685 | $98,902 | 7,946 | 3,022 | |
12 | Somerset | Town | $31,718 | $69,449 | $80,795 | 18,172 | 6,983 |
13 | Norton | Town | $30,772 | $75,538 | $91,636 | 18,970 | 6,297 |
North Seekonk | CDP | $30,705 | $65,804 | $81,111 | 2,552 | 941 | |
14 | Attleboro | City | $30,398 | $65,298 | $76,563 | 43,459 | 16,393 |
Smith Mills | CDP | $30,207 | $67,907 | $79,123 | 5,030 | 1,965 | |
15 | Acushnet | Town | $30,084 | $64,695 | $81,643 | 10,299 | 3,818 |
Bliss Corner | CDP | $29,569 | $52,285 | $63,554 | 6,063 | 2,534 | |
Bristol County | County | $28,682 | $55,813 | $71,416 | 547,305 | 210,536 | |
16 | Fairhaven | Town | $28,658 | $60,179 | $77,089 | 15,915 | 6,444 |
17 | Berkley | Town | $28,206 | $81,094 | $83,228 | 6,336 | 1,970 |
United States | Country | $27,915 | $52,762 | $64,293 | 306,603,772 | 114,761,359 | |
18 | Taunton | City | $26,309 | $53,401 | $67,447 | 55,930 | 21,799 |
Acushnet Center | CDP | $26,295 | $51,782 | $64,750 | 2,737 | 1,159 | |
Ocean Grove | CDP | $25,058 | $60,267 | $72,594 | 3,098 | 1,230 | |
19 | New Bedford | City | $21,558 | $37,493 | $46,881 | 95,006 | 38,869 |
20 | Fall River | City | $21,118 | $34,789 | $44,635 | 89,220 | 38,245 |
Norton Center | CDP | $16,578 | $83,465 | $84,781 | 2,977 | 446 | |
Bristol County has voted for the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in every election since 1960 and, with the exception of Dwight D. Eisenhower's victorious campaigns of 1952 and 1956, for the Democratic nominee since 1928, before which it was a Republican stronghold. However, in 2024, Republican Donald Trump came the closest to winning the county since 1984, with Democrat Kamala Harris winning only 49.6% of the vote.
Year | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 134,201 | 48.27% | 137,813 | 49.57% | 5,988 | 2.15% |
2020 | 119,872 | 42.92% | 153,377 | 54.92% | 6,030 | 2.16% |
2016 | 105,443 | 41.82% | 129,540 | 51.38% | 17,157 | 6.80% |
2012 | 93,898 | 38.88% | 143,433 | 59.39% | 4,178 | 1.73% |
2008 | 90,531 | 37.24% | 146,861 | 60.41% | 5,728 | 2.36% |
2004 | 82,524 | 35.44% | 147,854 | 63.49% | 2,500 | 1.07% |
2000 | 62,848 | 29.74% | 136,325 | 64.51% | 12,164 | 5.76% |
1996 | 47,164 | 23.79% | 127,725 | 64.44% | 23,324 | 11.77% |
1992 | 52,370 | 24.73% | 102,406 | 48.36% | 56,978 | 26.91% |
1988 | 83,797 | 43.30% | 107,854 | 55.73% | 1,879 | 0.97% |
1984 | 93,232 | 49.58% | 94,010 | 49.99% | 797 | 0.42% |
1980 | 77,545 | 41.12% | 83,460 | 44.25% | 27,600 | 14.63% |
1976 | 69,957 | 36.48% | 116,318 | 60.65% | 5,496 | 2.87% |
1972 | 84,390 | 44.71% | 103,163 | 54.65% | 1,215 | 0.64% |
1968 | 56,672 | 30.87% | 119,439 | 65.06% | 7,458 | 4.06% |
1964 | 39,230 | 21.02% | 146,885 | 78.70% | 521 | 0.28% |
1960 | 64,290 | 33.02% | 130,049 | 66.79% | 383 | 0.20% |
1956 | 109,542 | 57.85% | 79,357 | 41.91% | 466 | 0.25% |
1952 | 98,105 | 51.09% | 93,444 | 48.67% | 462 | 0.24% |
1948 | 63,216 | 36.64% | 106,741 | 61.86% | 2,594 | 1.50% |
1944 | 60,880 | 40.13% | 90,529 | 59.68% | 283 | 0.19% |
1940 | 60,143 | 37.97% | 97,571 | 61.60% | 677 | 0.43% |
1936 | 49,754 | 35.25% | 80,805 | 57.25% | 10,586 | 7.50% |
1932 | 50,846 | 43.58% | 62,474 | 53.55% | 3,355 | 2.88% |
1928 | 55,205 | 47.69% | 59,257 | 51.19% | 1,293 | 1.12% |
1924 | 58,929 | 66.23% | 19,802 | 22.25% | 10,249 | 11.52% |
1920 | 56,734 | 73.65% | 17,719 | 23.00% | 2,579 | 3.35% |
1916 | 22,578 | 53.69% | 18,065 | 42.96% | 1,407 | 3.35% |
1912 | 13,279 | 34.98% | 12,420 | 32.72% | 12,264 | 32.31% |
1908 | 20,683 | 60.58% | 10,719 | 31.39% | 2,742 | 8.03% |
1904 | 18,742 | 60.00% | 11,103 | 35.55% | 1,390 | 4.45% |
1900 | 19,396 | 64.77% | 9,355 | 31.24% | 1,196 | 3.99% |
1896 | 21,629 | 76.06% | 6,022 | 21.18% | 784 | 2.76% |
1892 | 15,732 | 57.72% | 10,825 | 39.72% | 699 | 2.56% |
1888 | 14,570 | 60.39% | 8,972 | 37.19% | 584 | 2.42% |
1884 | 12,291 | 60.03% | 6,475 | 31.62% | 1,710 | 8.35% |
1880 | 13,418 | 67.51% | 6,136 | 30.87% | 323 | 1.62% |
1876 | 11,578 | 66.43% | 5,814 | 33.36% | 38 | 0.22% |
1872 | 10,003 | 79.34% | 2,605 | 20.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
1868 | 10,125 | 78.80% | 2,724 | 21.20% | 0 | 0.00% |
1864 | 9,736 | 81.75% | 2,173 | 18.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
1860 | 7,980 | 73.78% | 1,713 | 15.84% | 1,123 | 10.38% |
1856 | 8,845 | 72.23% | 2,465 | 20.13% | 936 | 7.64% |
1852 | 3,827 | 41.61% | 3,269 | 35.54% | 2,102 | 22.85% |
1848 | 4,841 | 49.18% | 2,170 | 22.05% | 2,832 | 28.77% |
1844 | 4,872 | 46.76% | 4,903 | 47.06% | 644 | 6.18% |
1840 | 4,855 | 49.16% | 4,904 | 49.66% | 117 | 1.18% |
1836 | 1,732 | 40.28% | 2,568 | 59.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
1832 | 1,194 | 29.46% | 499 | 12.31% | 2,360 | 58.23% |
1828 | 1,740 | 84.26% | 325 | 15.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
1824 | 2,065 | 86.73% | 316 | 13.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
1820 | 2,394 | 69.51% | 1,050 | 30.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
1812 | 3,189 | 69.74% | 1,384 | 30.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
1804 | 1,729 | 60.33% | 1,137 | 39.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 44.19% 81,033 | 53.97%98,969 | 1.84% 3,388 |
2018 | 70.76%132,371 | 29.02% 54,280 | 0.23% 423 |
2014 | 49.70%72,641 | 45.19% 66,045 | 5.11% 7,471 |
2010 | 42.66% 73,220 | 47.23%81,059 | 10.11% 17,340 |
2006 | 34.32% 57,233 | 57.33%95,623 | 8.36% 13,925 |
2002 | 44.99% 71,189 | 50.73%80,275 | 4.28% 6,779 |
The Bristol County Sheriff's Office maintains its administrative headquarters and operates several jail facilities in the Dartmouth Complex in North Dartmouth in Dartmouth. Jail facilities in the Dartmouth Complex include the Bristol County House Of Correction and Jail, the Bristol County Sheriff's Office Women's Center, and the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center. The office also operates the Ash Street Jail and Regional Lock-Up and the Juvenile Secure Alternative Lock Up Program (JALP) in New Bedford. [23]
The Bristol County House Of Correction and Jail has room for 1,100 prisoners. It houses men convicted of crimes who have been sentenced to 2+1⁄2 years or less. It also houses high-security male pre-trial prisoners, high-security female prisoners, and pre-trial female prisoners. [23]
The women's center, a medium security jail, can house up to 106 women. The self-contained women's center had opened as a minimum security pre-release center for male prisoners in 1990 which could house up to 106 prisoners. When it was a pre-release facility it only housed an average of 60 prisoners because the county sheriff imposed strict conditions upon the pre-release program. In 1999 the sheriff received a federal grant to convert the pre-release center into a women's center, and he moved the pre-release program to modular units at the main jail. [23]
The Carreiro jail houses detained individuals who are scheduled for deportation and individuals who are engaging in proceedings with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Ash Street jail houses over 200 pre-trial prisoners and a few sentenced inmate workers for the system. JALP houses up to 12 pre-arraingment juvenile prisoners. [23]
Voter registration and party enrollment as of February 2024 [24] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unenrolled | 280,908 | 66.61% | |||
Democratic | 95,921 | 22.75% | |||
Republican | 39,270 | 9.31% | |||
Libertarian | 1,810 | 0.43% | |||
Other parties | 3,795 | 0.9% | |||
Total | 421,704 | 100% |
The county is twinned with the municipality of Lagoa in the Azores. [25] [26]
Transportation authorities providing public bus service include the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority; and the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority serving the Fall River and New Bedford areas.
Airports include the Mansfield Municipal Airport, Myricks Airport, New Bedford Municipal Airport and Taunton Municipal Airport; of these, the New Bedford airport is a commercial airport, with flights serving the Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard area.
The Providence/Stoughton Line of the MBTA commuter rail has stops in Mansfield, Attleboro, and South Attleboro. The line provides connections to Providence and Boston (at Back Bay Station and South Station), as well as intermediate stops. An extension has been completed that connects to T. F. Green Airport.
School districts include: [27]
K–12:
Secondary:
Elementary:
Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School is also in the county.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is in the county.
Acushnet is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 10,559 at the 2020 census.
Attleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It was once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers. According to the 2020 census, Attleboro had a population of 46,461.
Berkley is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston and east of Providence, Rhode Island. The population was 6,764 according to the 2020 census, making it the least populated town in the county.
Dartmouth is a coastal town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Old Dartmouth was the first area of Southeastern Massachusetts to be settled by Europeans in 1652, primarily English. Dartmouth is part of New England's farm coast, which consists of a chain of historic coastal villages, vineyards, and farms. June 8, 2014, marked the 350th year of Dartmouth's incorporation as a town. It is also part of the Massachusetts South Coast.
Fairhaven is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located on the South Coast of Massachusetts where the Acushnet River flows into Buzzards Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. The town shares a harbor with the city of New Bedford, a place well known for its whaling and fishing heritage; consequently, Fairhaven's history, economy, and culture are closely aligned with those of its larger neighbor. The population of Fairhaven was 15,924 at the time of the 2020 census.
Freetown is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,206 at the 2020 census.
North Attleborough, alternatively spelled North Attleboro, is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 30,834 at the 2020 United States Census.
Rehoboth is a historic town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1643, Rehoboth is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts. The population was 12,502 at the 2020 census. Rehoboth is a mostly rural community with many historic sites, including 53 historic cemeteries.
Seekonk is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, on the Massachusetts border with Rhode Island. It was incorporated in 1812 from the western half of Rehoboth. The population was 15,531 at the 2020 census. In 1862, under a U.S. Supreme Court decision resolving a longstanding border dispute between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a portion of Tiverton, Rhode Island was awarded to Massachusetts to become part of Fall River, while two-thirds of Seekonk was awarded to Rhode Island.
Swansea is a town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts, United States. It is located at the mouth of the Taunton River, just west of Fall River, 47 miles (76 km) south of Boston, and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Providence, Rhode Island. The population was 17,144 at the 2020 census. The villages of Hortonville, Barneyville and Ocean Grove are located in the town.
Taunton is a city and county seat of Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. Taunton is situated on the Taunton River, which winds its way through the city on its way to Mount Hope Bay, 10 miles (16 km) to the south. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 59,408. Shaunna O'Connell is the mayor of Taunton.
Lakeville is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,523 at the 2020 census.
Tiverton is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 16,359 at the 2020 census.
The Narragansett Council of Scouting America serves all of the state of Rhode Island and some of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Its several camps include Camp Yawgoog, Champlin Scout Reservation, and Camp Norse.
Scouting in Rhode Island has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
Massachusetts's 10th congressional district is an obsolete district that was active during 1795–2013. It was first located in the District of Maine during 1795–1803, then located in several different areas of Massachusetts. It was most recently eliminated in 2013 as district lines were redrawn to accommodate the loss of the seat due to reapportionment as a result of the 2010 census.
The South Coast of Massachusetts is the region of southeastern Massachusetts consisting of the southern part of Bristol and Plymouth counties, bordering Buzzards Bay, and includes the cities of Fall River, New Bedford, the southeastern tip of East Taunton and nearby towns. The Rhode Island towns of Tiverton and Little Compton, located in Newport County, are often included within the South Coast designation due to regional similarities with adjacent communities.
Southeastern Massachusetts is a region of Massachusetts located south of Boston and east of Rhode Island. It is commonly used to describe areas with cultural ties to both Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, and includes the cities of New Bedford and Fall River and their respective suburbs. Despite the location of Cape Cod and the islands to its south, which are the southeasternmost parts of the state, they are not often grouped in this designation. At its broadest definition, it includes all of Massachusetts south of Boston, southeast of Worcester, and east of Providence, Rhode Island, while at its narrowest definition, it is Bristol County and the Western portion of Plymouth County. The region including Cape Cod roughly corresponds with the location of the historic Plymouth Colony, which became part of Massachusetts in 1691.
The Providence metropolitan area is a region extending into eight counties in two states. Its core is in the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts; its largest city is Providence, Rhode Island. With an estimated population of 1,622,520, exceeding that of Rhode Island by slightly over 60%, the Providence MSA is the 38th largest metropolitan area in the United States. The MSA covers all of Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts, with an average population density of 2300 per mi2.
Norton is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, and contains the villages of Norton Center and Chartley. The population was 19,202 at the 2020 census. Home of Wheaton College, Norton hosted the Dell Technologies Championship, a tournament of the PGA Tour held annually on the Labor Day holiday weekend at the TPC Boston golf club until 2018.