Bradford, city, in the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, northern England. The city, which was formed in 1974 and incorporates the towns of Keighley and Shipley, is crossed by the Aire River. Bradford is the chief English worsted-manufacturing and wool-trade center. Other manufactures include machinery and leather goods. Dairy farming is important in the rural northwestern area of the city. The University of Bradford (1957) and several technical schools are located here. Of note is Saint Peter's Cathedral, a 15th-century structure. Bradford was a market center with a wool trade by the 13th century. At the end of the 18th century, the community's first steam-powered wool mill was established. Worsted manufacturing began to dominate Bradford's industry in the mid-19th century and spurred the city's rapid growth. Population (1996 estimate) 483,422.
