New Bedford
City in Bristol County, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, with 101,079 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 49 ft (15 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Acushnet Center, 2.3 miles NE.
- 101,079residents (2020 Census)
- 49 ftelevation · 15 m
- 20.0 sq miland area · 51.8 km²
- 5,053 / sq mipopulation density
- 02746main ZIP code (3 in total)
About New Bedford
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is located on the Acushnet River abutting Buzzards Bay. At the 2020 census, New Bedford had a population of 101,079, making it the state's ninth-largest city. It is included in both the Providence metropolitan area and the greater Boston combined statistical area.
Up through the 17th century, the area was the territory of the Wampanoag Native Americans. English colonists bought the land on which New Bedford would later be built from the Wampanoag in 1652, and the original colonial settlement that would later become the city was founded by English Quakers in the late 17th century. The town of New Bedford itself was officially incorporated in 1787.
During the first half of the 19th century, New Bedford was one of the world's most important whaling ports. At its economic height during this period, New Bedford was the wealthiest city in North America per capita. The city served as a setting in Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick. From 1876 to 1900, New Bedford served as the initial home port for the Revenue Cutter School of Instruction, the precursor of the United States Coast Guard Academy.
New Bedford Harbor remains known for its fishing fleet and accompanying seafood industry, which as of 2019 generated the highest annual value of any fishing port in the United States. The city is also known for its British-American culture, as well as its large Portuguese and French populations.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Living in New Bedford
- Median household income
- $56,981
- Median home value
- $357,300
- Median rent
- $1,137/mo
- Median age
- 37
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Map of New Bedford
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Open in Google Maps ›New Bedford, MA population
New Bedford had 101,079 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 101,079 |
|---|---|
| Density | 5,053 per sq mi (1,951 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
New Bedford at a glance
| State | Massachusetts (MA) |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 101,079 (2020) |
| Land area | 20.00 sq mi (51.8 km²) |
| Water area | 4.13 sq mi (10.69 km²) |
| Elevation | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Coordinates | 41.6613° N, 70.9379° W |
| ZIP codes | 02746, 02740, 02745 |
| Official website | newbedford-ma.gov |
| Census code (GEOID) | 2545000 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near New Bedford
- Acushnet Center2.3 mi NE
- Smith Mills3.3 mi W
- Bliss Corner3.9 mi S
- Fairhaven3.9 mi SE
- Acushnet4.4 mi NE
- Mattapoisett6.5 mi E
- Dartmouth6.6 mi S
- Mattapoisett Center7.3 mi E
- Rochester8.6 mi NE
- Fall River8.9 mi NW
- North Westport8.9 mi W
- Freetown9.2 mi NW
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about New Bedford
What county is New Bedford in?
New Bedford is in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
What is the population of New Bedford, MA?
101,079 people lived in New Bedford at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of New Bedford, MA?
The main ZIP code is 02746. Other ZIP codes: 02740, 02745.
What is the elevation of New Bedford?
49 feet (15 m) above sea level.
What towns are near New Bedford?
Acushnet Center (2.3 mi), Smith Mills (3.3 mi), Bliss Corner (3.9 mi), Fairhaven (3.9 mi), Acushnet (4.4 mi).
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