Bristol, Connecticut

Bristol, Connecticut
St Joseph Church, Bristol CT.
Nicknames: 
Mum City, Home of ESPN, Bell City
Coordinates: 41°40′52″N 72°56′26″W / 41.68111°N 72.94056°W / 41.68111; -72.94056
Country United States
State Connecticut
CountyHartford
RegionNaugatuck Valley
Incorporated (town)1785 (1785)
Incorporated (city)1911 (1911)
Neighborhoods
  • Cedar Lake
  • Chippens Hill
  • East Bristol
  • Edgewood
  • Federal Hill
  • Forestville Village
  • Maple End
  • Northeast Bristol
  • Rustic Terrace
  • West End
Government
  TypeMayor-council
  MayorJeff Caggiano (R)
Area
  Total
26.81 sq mi (69.44 km2)
  Land26.41 sq mi (68.39 km2)
  Water0.40 sq mi (1.05 km2)
Elevation
420 ft (130 m)
Population
 (2024)
  Total
62,183
  Density2,270.20/sq mi (889.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
06010–06011
Area codes860/959
FIPS code09-08420
GNIS feature ID02378270
Major highways
Websitewww.bristolct.gov

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 from 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 headquarters of ESPN, the location of Lake Compounce, the United States's oldest continuously operating theme park, and is facing approval in 2024 to become home to one of the largest biomedical waste incineration operations in the United States.

Bristol was known as a clock-making city in the 19th century, and is the location of 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.