Our Communities
Bristol and Warren are neighboring towns situated on Rhode Island’s East Bay between Providence and Newport. In addition to being connected by the East Bay Bike Path, which runs from Bristol to Providence, both towns share a deep maritime history, a history of manufacturing, and both are steeped in Native American and colonial history.
Bristol
Bristol is a picturesque seaside community with a vibrant downtown and dining scene. Bristol’s major industries include boat building and related marine industries, manufacturing, and tourism. Located on Bristol Harbor, the town is an active sailing and boating community and is home to the Herreshoff Maritime Museum. Bristol is also home to Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum; Linden Place historic estate museum; Audubon Society of RI; Colt State Park; and Roger Williams University, a private four-year university. And Bristolians are known for their national pride and commitment to civic service with Bristol being home to America’s Oldest 4th of July Celebration.
Bristol by the numbers:
- Settled: 1680
- Incorporated: October 28, 1681
- Annexed from Massachusetts: January 27, 1747
- Land Area: 20.6 square miles
- Population at 2020 census: 22,492
- 2020 census found 22.0% of population were 65 years of age or older
Warren
Located on the east bank of the Warren River, Warren boasts a thriving downtown consisting of shops, galleries, restaurants, and the Warren Historic Waterfront District. It is a unique town with both sandy beaches and rolling farmland. In the late 18th and into the 19th centuries, Warren was a whaling and shipbuilding center and later moved into industrial development and manufacturing. Warren has one of the oldest working waterfronts in New England and is home to several waterfront businesses such as Blount Marine, Blount Seafood, and Dyer Boats.
Warren by the numbers:
- Settled: 1680
- Incorporated: January 27, 1747
- Annexed from Massachusetts: January 27, 1747
- Land Area: 6.2 square miles
- Population at 2020 census: 11,187
- 2020 census found 24.5% of population were 65 years of age or older