New Bedford is a city located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. With a population of 95,070 as of the 2020 census, it is the sixth largest city in Massachusetts. New Bedford was once one of the most important whaling and fishing ports in the world and a center of textile manufacturing, but today its economy is more diverse and relies heavily on education, healthcare and biotechnology.
Population
According to the 2020 US census, the population of New Bedford was 95,070. This makes it the sixth largest city in Massachusetts after Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell and Cambridge.
The racial makeup of New Bedford is approximately 66.4% White, 7.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 18.7% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. 30.4% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are around 36,000 households in the city, with an average household size of 2.55 people. The median age is 35.3 years.
New Bedford experienced rapid growth in the mid-19th century due to the whaling industry, with the population rising from around 12,000 to over 35,000 between 1845 and 1857. The population exceeded 100,000 in the 1920 census and hit its peak of 121,000 in 1960. Since then, the population has slowly declined along with the industries that once supported it.
Economy and Major Employers
While New Bedford was once dominated by the whaling and textile industries, today its economy is more diverse. The city’s port remains active, handling cargo and ferry services. Major employers include healthcare providers like Southcoast Health and St. Luke’s Hospital, educational institutions like University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Bristol Community College, biotech companies likebyteorder Inc., and retailers like Riverside Manufacturing.
Some key economic facts and major employers:
- The unemployment rate as of June 2022 was 5.2%, slightly above the national average.
- The median household income is $51,774, below the national median.
- Around 18% of residents live below the poverty line.
- Leading industries by employment include healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing.
- Major employers include Southcoast Health (6,700 employees), UMass Dartmouth (2,500), St. Luke’s Hospital (1,150), Riverside Manufacturing (1,000), and Bristol Community College (870).
New Bedford has invested significant funds in revitalizing the downtown and waterfront areas in recent years, helping to boost tourism and recreation. However, the economy still faces challenges from the decline of traditional industries. Efforts are underway to attract new high-tech companies and develop a more knowledge-based economy.
Attractions and Tourism
Despite its small size, New Bedford offers several unique attractions and interesting destinations for tourists:
- The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park commemorates the city’s history as a 19th century whaling capital. It includes a 13-block historic district with cobblestone streets, restored buildings, and the world’s largest whaling museum.
- The New Bedford Art Museum contains a celebrated collection of works by artists such as Albert Pinkham Ryder, Albert Bierstadt, and William Bradford.
- The Seamen’s Bethel was immortalized in Herman Melville’s epic novel Moby Dick and holds an annual Marathon Reading of the book.
- Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a historic theater downtown that hosts concerts, theater, comedy and more.
- Outdoor activities like whale watching, fishing, sailing, and biking are popular given the scenic harbor location.
In addition to its historic charm, diverse culture, and coastal scenery, New Bedford also boasts an emerging food scene with trendy restaurants and breweries popping up across the city.
Government
New Bedford has a Mayor-Council form of municipal government. The day-to-day operations are handled by the Mayor, who is elected to four-year terms. The current Mayor is Jon Mitchell, first elected in 2011. The city also has a nine-member City Council, with six councilors representing wards and three elected at-large.
Some of the main city government departments and services include:
- Planning Department – oversees zoning, land use, and development
- Assessing Department – administers property valuations and taxes
- Department of Public Infrastructure – manages water, sewer, roads, parks, cemeteries, and forestry
- Fire Department – provides fire response and prevention services
- Police Department – enforces laws and protects public safety
Residents can learn about city services, pay bills, apply for permits, and more on the city’s website. The website also contains information on public meetings, local events, and getting involved in city government.
Sports
Despite its small size, New Bedford has a proud sports tradition and loyal fan bases. Some of the most popular local teams include:
- The New Bedford Bay Sox – a collegiate summer baseball team that plays at Paul Walsh Field.
- The New Bedford Junior Whalers – a Tier III junior ice hockey team playing at Hetland Arena.
- The New Bedford High School teams – especially the famous Whalers football team that plays at the city’s stadium.
Youth sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, and Pop Warner football are also widely played in the city’s parks and schools. Fans can passionately follow these local teams while also rooting for Boston’s professional franchises like the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots.
The city government maintains an active Facebook page to connect with residents. The page shares important announcements, event listings, city job openings, photos, and more. Residents can also contact the city via Facebook Messenger. As of August 2023, the city’s Facebook page had over 16,000 followers.