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Bristol, CT

Frequently asked questions

Bristol, CT

Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, 20 miles (32 km) southwest-west of Hartford. The city is also 120 miles southwest of Boston and approximately 100 miles northeast of New York City. The city is part of the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 61,844.

Bristol is the location of the general studios of ESPN, and the location of Lake Compounce, the United States's oldest continuously operating theme park. Bristol was known as a clock-making city in the 19th century and is the location of the American Clock & Watch Museum. Bristol is also the site of the former American Silver Company and its predecessor companies.

Bristol's nickname is the "Mum City", because it was once a leader in chrysanthemum production and still holds an annual Bristol Mum Festival.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bristol has a total area of 26.8 square miles (69.5 km²), of which 26.4 square miles (68.4 km²) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km²), or 1.51%, is water. Bristol contains several distinct sections, including Cedar Lake in the southwestern quarter, Chippens Hill in the northwestern quarter, Edgewood in the northeastern quarter, Forestville in the southeastern quarter, and the city in the approximate middle of Bristol. The majority of Bristol's area is residential, though since 2008 there has been a push for commercial development in the city. The city is part of the Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Organization following the closure of the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency, the metropolitan planning organization for Bristol, New Britain, and surrounding towns for decades.

Forestville was the hunting grounds of the Tunxis tribe until the 19th century. The village was established in 1833 and named Forestville for its wooded surroundings. Forestville today has grown into a mini-metropolis of suburban neighborhoods and local businesses. The boundaries of Forestville go from the Plainville town line, south to the Southington town line, west up to the industrial development along Middle Street and crosses King Street, including properties on Kingswood Drive and Burnside Drive, north up to Bristol Eastern High School, then north up to the south edge of properties on Louisiana Avenue, to the west of properties on the west side of Brook Street and from there, goes up to commercial development along Farmington Avenue. Within the Forestville area, there are two subsections known as East Bristol and the Stafford District. Forestville Village has a library branch (Manross), post office, meeting hall, community group (Forestville Village Association), fire station, cemetery, funeral home, two urban parks (Quinlan Veterans Park and Clock Tower Park), Pequabuck Duck Race, Memorial Day Parade, Summer Concert Night, Pumpkin Festival, and a railroad station (no longer in use). At one time all of Forestville had its zip code.

Health and wellness form an integral part of Bristol's community fabric. Bristol Hospital and Hartford HealthCare HealthCenter - Bristol provides comprehensive medical services, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. For fitness enthusiasts, the YMCA of Bristol provides comprehensive gym facilities, swimming pools, and a variety of group classes. The Edge Fitness Club is another excellent option, featuring state-of-the-art equipment and personal training services. Thrive Healing Arts provides wellness workshops, massage therapy, and acupuncture. 

Top sites in Bristol, CT are American Clock & Watch Museum, The Carousel Museum, and Rockwell Park.

Population: 61,601 (2023). ZIP code: 06010. Area codes: 860, 959. Elevation: 420 ft (130 m). Area: 26.81 sq mi (69.44 km²).

FAQs

What are the demographics of Bristol, CT?

Bristol, CT is home to a population of 61.1k people, of which 96.5% are citizens. As of 2022, 9.18% of Bristol, CT residents were born outside of the country (5.6k people). In 2022, there were 9.43 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (39.2k people) in Bristol, CT than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.16k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.11k Two+ (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is Bristol, CT known for?

Bristol is home to Lake Compounce (founded 1846), the country's oldest continuously operating amusement park. Bristol is also the gateway to the Litchfield Hills, one of Connecticut's most beautiful tourist areas. Recreational opportunities abound. With swimming or sailing in the Atlantic Ocean or skiing on Vermont slopes only an hour away, your family can have the time of their lives. Within minutes, you could be enjoying the fall foliage in the Litchfield Hills, playing at Lake Compounce, antiquing, exploring our historical sites and museums, or walking or riding through one of our beautiful parks.

Is Bristol, CT expensive?

Bristol, Connecticut's cost of living is 8% higher than the national average. Bristol's housing expenses are 14% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 26% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 5% higher than the national average. Bristol has grocery prices that are 2% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Bristol is 7% lower than the national average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Bristol

Payscale

Data USA

Bristol Hospital

American Clock & Watch Museum

The Carousel Museum

Rockwell Park

Bristol Hospital

Hartford HealthCare HealthCenter - Bristol

Planet Fitness

YMCA of Bristol

The Edge Fitness Clubs

Thrive Healing Arts

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.