New Bedford, Massachusetts

New Bedford: The second most populous city in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It is located on the western shore of Buzzards Bay in southeastern Massachusetts. New Bedford is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Art Museum.

About

New Bedford is a city located in the county of Bristol in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Its population at the 2010 census was 95,072 and a population density of 1,521 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 95,517 inhabitants.

The city was created 384 years ago in 1639.

New Bedford is a coastal city located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It sits along the Acushnet River near Buzzards Bay.

New Bedford was first settled in the 17th century by English colonists. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1787 and thrived as a port city.

In the 19th century, New Bedford became a leading center of whaling and the top whaling port in the world. The city grew wealthy from the whaling industry.

The city declined as whaling faded in the early 20th century. But New Bedford diversified its economy through fishing, manufacturing and immigration.

New Bedford Today

Today, New Bedford has a population of around 95,000 residents. It retains its identity as a historic port city.

Notable attractions include the New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and the Seamen's Bethel chapel mentioned in Moby Dick.

The city has a vibrant creative culture with art galleries and events. Fishing and manufacturing remain important industries. Its seaport is also one of the nation’s most valuable.

New Bedford honors its history while evolving for the future. It remains an important coastal city in Massachusetts.

Conclusion

From colonial settlement to the whaling era to today, New Bedford exemplifies the maritime heritage of New England. Its rise and fall as a whaling hub mark a pivotal time in American history. New Bedford preserves this legacy through historic sites while growing as a diverse coastal city.

New Bedford locator map
Location of New Bedford on Massachusetts map.

Quick Facts about New Bedford

Population : 95,517 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Massachusetts (United States)
County : Bristol County
Different from : Bedford
Area : 62.5 km2
Altitude : 49 feet / 15 meters
Establishment : January 01, 1640 (384 years ago)
Time Zone : America/New_York
Local time : 17:07:23 (28th March 2024)
Postal code : 02740
Density : 1,528 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 0.47% (2010-2020)
New Bedford  Massachusetts-view from harbor. image
New Bedford Massachusetts-view from harbor.
New Bedford  Massachusetts-view from harbor. image

Geography

New Bedford is located at 41°38'7"N 70°55'37"W (41.6352600, -70.9270100).

New Bedford map

  • Cuxhaven
  • Funchal
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Demographics

The population of New Bedford increased by 0.47% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 95,072 - census
2011 94,896 -0.19% estimation process
2012 94,998 0.11% estimation process
2013 95,065 0.07% estimation process
2014 95,121 0.06% estimation process
2015 95,128 0.01% estimation process
2016 95,135 0.01% estimation process
2017 95,083 -0.05% estimation process
2018 95,371 0.3% estimation process
2019 95,363 -0.01% estimation process
2020 95,517 0.16% estimation process

New Bedford zip code is 02740. County name: Bristol, County fips: 25005

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People born in New Bedford (150)

People born in New Bedford, including merchant Warren Delano, female pop singer Tynisha Keli, artist, author, sailor, and knot expert Clifford Warren Ashley, .

List

Schools in New Bedford

College & universities near New Bedford, MA

Code Name City ZIP
167039 Rob Roy Academy-New Bedford New Bedford (MA) 02720-3445
167987 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth (MA) 02747-2300
165608 Diman Regional Technical Institute Fall River (MA) 02723
165033 Bristol Community College Fall River (MA) 02720-7395
165750 Rob Roy Academy-Fall River Fall River (MA) 02720-3445

Stations (13)

Amtrak & bus stations near New Bedford, MA

Code Name Address Type
PVD Providence station 100 Gaspee Street RAIL
KIN Kingston station 1 Railroad Avenue RAIL
RTE Route 128 station 50 University Ave RAIL
WLY Westerly station 14 Railroad Avenue RAIL
BOS South Station 2 South Station RAIL

Post offices near New Bedford

Post Office Name City ZIP
New Bedford Post Office New Bedford (MA) 02740
Fairhaven Post Office Fairhaven (MA) 02719
Orchard Str Post Office New Bedford (MA) 02744
North Post Office New Bedford (MA) 02746
Fairhaven Carrier Annex Post Office Fairhaven (MA) 02719

Other places with the same name (2)

Other cities in Bristol County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Bristol County , MA. (more)

City Name Population Title
Fall River 89,792 The most populous city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Taunton 57,675 The most populous city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
City of Taunton 55,874 The most populous city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Attleboro 45,444 A city in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Easton 25,116 Town in the U.
Mansfield 24,539 Town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States
Norton 19,983 City in Massachusetts
Somerset 18,144 Town in Massachusetts, United States
Swansea 17,000 Town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts
Fairhaven 16,103 Town in Massachusetts
Westport 16,097 Town of the United States
Seekonk 15,851 Town in the United States
Head of Westport 14,809 City in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States of America
Raynham 14,560 Town in Massachusetts
Oxford 13,941 Town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States of America
Rehoboth 12,503 Town in Massachusetts, United States

Distance to Other Cities

New Bedford distances to largest Massachusetts cities