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New Bedford, Massachusetts

New Bedford
City
New Bedford Harbor
New Bedford Harbor
Official seal of New Bedford
Seal
Nickname(s): The Whaling City
Motto: Lucem Diffundo (Latin)
I Diffuse Light
Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts
Location in Bristol County in Massachusetts
New Bedford is located in the US
New Bedford
New Bedford
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 41°38′10″N 70°56′05″W / 41.63611°N 70.93472°W / 41.63611; -70.93472Coordinates: 41°38′10″N 70°56′05″W / 41.63611°N 70.93472°W / 41.63611; -70.93472
Country United States
State Massachusetts
County Bristol
Settled 1640
Incorporated 1787
Government
 • Type Mayor-council
 • Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell
 • City Council
Councilors-at-Large:
Ian Abreu
Naomi R.A. Carney
Debora Coelho
Brian K. Gomes
Linda M. Morad
Ward Councilors by Ward:
1. James D. Oliveira
2. Steven Martins
3. Henry G. Bousquet
4. Dana L. Rebeiro
5. Kerry Winterson
6. Joseph P. Lopes
Area
 • Total 24.1 sq mi (62.5 km2)
 • Land 20.0 sq mi (51.8 km2)
 • Water 4.1 sq mi (10.7 km2)
Elevation 50 ft (15 m)
Population (2011)
 • Total 95,115
 • Density 4,754/sq mi (1,835.4/km2)
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (UTC-4)
ZIP code 02740, 02744, 02745, 02746
Area code(s) 508 / 774
FIPS code 25-45000
GNIS feature ID 0613714
Website www.newbedford-ma.gov

New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts. New Bedford is nicknamed "The Whaling City" because during the 19th century, the city was one of the most important, if not the most important, whaling ports in the world, along with Nantucket, Massachusetts and New London, Connecticut. The city, along with Fall River and Taunton, make up the three largest cities in the South Coast region of Massachusetts. The Greater Providence-Fall River-New Bedford area is home to the largest Portuguese-American community in the United States.

Before the 17th century, the Wampanoag, who had settlements throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, were the only inhabitants of the lands along the Acushnet River. Their population is believed to have been about 12,000. While exploring New England, Bartholomew Gosnold landed on Cuttyhunk Island on May 15, 1602. From there, he explored Cape Cod and the neighboring areas, including the site of present-day New Bedford. However, rather than settle the area, he returned to England at the request of his crew.


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