Bristol is a town in and the historic county seat of Bristol County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,469 at the 2000 census. Bristol, a deepwater seaport, is named after Bristol, England. Prominent ethnic groups include Portuguese-Americans, mostly Azorean, and Italian-Americans. Major industries include boat building (and related marine industries), manufacturing and tourism. The town's school system is united with neighboring Warren, Rhode Island.