New Bedford, MA Demographics
A map of New Bedford's Population by Race
New Bedford, Massachusetts has an estimated population of 100,998, a less than 1% change from the 101,079 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 54.1% White, 25.8% Hispanic, 9.8% Multiracial, 4.6% Native American/Other, 4.4% Black, and 1.3% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of New Bedford, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.
New Bedford has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Massachusetts overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In New Bedford, that probability was 60.5% in 2020 and 62.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.
New Bedford is ranked the 9th most populous place in Massachusetts, out of 248 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). New Bedford was ranked the 9th most populous place in the 2020 Census.
New Bedford's White Population
54,677 residents of New Bedford, or 54.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in New Bedford is considerably lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 66.6% of the population is White. New Bedford ranks 228th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.
Since the 2020 Census, New Bedford's White population has declined by an estimated 4.9%. White residents' share of New Bedford's population has decreased from 56.9% to 54.1%.
New Bedford is less White than neighboring Acushnet Center (93.6% White), Bliss Corner (93.2% White), Smith Mills (80.5% White), Mattapoisett Center (77.9% White), and North Westport (85.8% White).
New Bedford's Black Population
4,463 residents of New Bedford, or 4.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in New Bedford is comparable to the share in Massachusetts overall, where 6.4% of the population is Black. New Bedford ranks 45th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.
Since the 2020 Census, New Bedford's Black population has declined by an estimated 6.8%. Black residents' share of New Bedford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.4%.
New Bedford is more Black than neighboring Acushnet Center (0.6% Black), Bliss Corner (0.2% Black), Smith Mills (4.3% Black), Mattapoisett Center (0% Black), and North Westport (0% Black).
New Bedford's Asian Population
1,271 residents of New Bedford, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in New Bedford is lower than in Massachusetts overall, where 7.3% of the population is Asian. New Bedford ranks 179th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.
Since the 2020 Census, New Bedford's Asian population has grown by an estimated 25.8%. Asian residents' share of New Bedford's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.
New Bedford is more Asian than neighboring Acushnet Center (1.2% Asian), Bliss Corner (0.4% Asian), and North Westport (0% Asian). New Bedford is less Asian than neighboring Smith Mills (4.1% Asian), and Mattapoisett Center (5.1% Asian).
New Bedford's Hispanic Population
26,070 residents of New Bedford, or 25.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in New Bedford is considerably higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 13.3% of the population is Hispanic. New Bedford ranks 12th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.
Since the 2020 Census, New Bedford's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.3%. Hispanic residents' share of New Bedford's population has increased from 24.3% to 25.8%.
New Bedford is more Hispanic than neighboring Acushnet Center (1.9% Hispanic), Bliss Corner (1% Hispanic), Smith Mills (5.2% Hispanic), Mattapoisett Center (3.4% Hispanic), and North Westport (1.8% Hispanic).
New Bedford's Native American/Other Population
4,619 residents of New Bedford, or 4.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in New Bedford is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 1.3% of the population is Native American/Other. New Bedford ranks 10th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.
Since the 2020 Census, New Bedford's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 15.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of New Bedford's population has increased from 3.9% to 4.6%.
New Bedford is more Native American/Other than neighboring Acushnet Center (0.4% Native American/Other), Bliss Corner (3.2% Native American/Other), Smith Mills (1% Native American/Other), Mattapoisett Center (1.5% Native American/Other), and North Westport (0.9% Native American/Other).
New Bedford's Multiracial Population
9,898 residents of New Bedford, or 9.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in New Bedford is slightly higher than in Massachusetts overall, where 5.1% of the population is Multiracial. New Bedford ranks 11th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 248 places.
Since the 2020 Census, New Bedford's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 6.7%. Multiracial residents' share of New Bedford's population has increased from 9.2% to 9.8%.
New Bedford is more Multiracial than neighboring Acushnet Center (2.3% Multiracial), Bliss Corner (2.1% Multiracial), and Smith Mills (4.8% Multiracial). New Bedford is less Multiracial than neighboring Mattapoisett Center (12.1% Multiracial), and North Westport (11.5% Multiracial).
Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.