Bristol County, Rhode Island

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.9 | 50,255 people · 5th most distressed in Rhode Island
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Bristol County, RI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.9 — 2759th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Rhode Island, it ranks 5th of 5 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Bristol County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 70.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 69
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 96
Homeownership Rate 56
Economic Vitality 63.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 47
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 36
Structural Poverty 20.2
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 5
Legal Distress 12.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12
Consumer Credit Distress 9.9
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 1
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 6

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Bristol County
Bristol County, RI 29.9 Healthy —
Providence County, RI 59.9 Elevated +29.9
Bristol County, MA 55.8 Elevated +25.9
Kent County, RI 46.0 Normal +16.1
Newport County, RI 35.5 Normal +5.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Bristol County
Broomfield County, CO 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Wright County, MN 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy +0.0
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy +0.7
Medina County, OH 30.7 Healthy +0.8

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Bristol County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Bristol County

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Rhode Island Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Rhode Island Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 401-421-5740

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Legal aid organizations serving Bristol County residents at no cost.

Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS) 401-274-2652

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Bristol County, Rhode Island?

    Bristol County has a County Distress Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,759th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in Rhode Island out of 5 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Bristol County?

    The primary driver of distress in Bristol County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Bristol County compare to neighboring counties?

    Bristol County (29.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Providence County, RI (59.9); Bristol County, MA (55.8); Kent County, RI (46.0).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Bristol County's score of 29.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Bristol County's CDI score?

    Bristol County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Bristol County?

    Bristol County, Rhode Island has a population of approximately 50,255 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.