Bristol, county, eastern Rhode Island, U.S. It is located on a peninsula bordered by Massachusetts to the northeast, Mount Hope Bay to the southeast, and Narragansett Bay to the southwest. The county was formed in 1746 and named for Bristol, Eng. There is no county seat, but the main towns are Barrington, Bristol, and Warren. Bristol is one of the smallest counties in the United States. The main industries include the manufacture of ships, textiles, and luggage. Area 25 square miles (64 square km). Pop. (2000) 50,648; (2010) 49,875.