City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Bedford, IN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bedford - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

13,824
Residents
$50,253
Median income
$136,900
Median home
$956
Median rent (state)

Bedford - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Bedford lands in the 20th percentile for household income and the 93rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

20th
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
93rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bedford, IN

Bedford is a small town in Indiana, home to 13,824 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $50,253 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.6%. Bedford's housing stock carries a median value of $136,900, and the median resident age is 41.6 years. Educational attainment runs 17.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Bedford (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Bedford reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 302.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 54.3°F with 48.6 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: the state registers 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $956 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Indiana's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). Workers in Bedford report an average commute of 23.0 minutes, with 82.8% driving alone and 5.7% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 47.8 out of 100 (Low).

Population

13,824 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$50,253 /yr

Poverty 11.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Bedford compare to other US cities?

Bedford measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities
Safety 93% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Indiana and the picture shifts: Bedford ranks #11 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Bedford's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Indiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

20thIncome percentile
93rdSafety percentile

20th percentile nationally for median household income · 93rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bedford's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bedford's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 65 Avg. percentile National median
Bedford's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bedford's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$136,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bedford $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bedford, IN Bedford, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bedford, IN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bedford, IN median $50,253/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bedford, IN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bedford, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
13,824
Median Income
$50,253
Median Home Value
$136,900
Median Age
41.6
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Labor force participation
56.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
302.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
50.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
252.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
54.3°F
Annual Precipitation
48.6"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
13,800 residents13,850 residents13,900 residents13,950 residents14,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,818 residents 13,962 residents ▲ +1.0%
Bedford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 23
2020 27
2021 31
2022 16
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.0 minutes
Drive Alone
82.8%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
5.7%

Based on 6,206 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Indiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Indiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bedford sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$956/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
47.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Speedway
13,622 people
Auburn
13,464 people
Chesterton
14,326 people
Connersville
13,241 people
Lake Station
13,109 people
Cedar Lake
14,686 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bedford's 13,824 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Newington, VA
13,824 people
Bridgetown, OH
13,830 people
New Franklin, OH
13,830 people
Hawaiian Gardens, CA
13,816 people
North Auburn, CA
13,833 people
Valencia West, AZ
13,834 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bedford's $50,253 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lynn, AR
$50,250 median income
Apple River, IL
$50,250 median income
Smithland, KY
$50,250 median income
Bosworth, MO
$50,250 median income
Marionville, MO
$50,250 median income
Mitchell, NE
$50,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bedford, IN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bedford, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 95.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.2% White 95.0% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 3.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bedford compares to nearby Indiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bedford (this city) 13,824 $50,253
Speedway 13,622 $57,158
Auburn 13,464 $62,339
Chesterton 14,326 $88,536
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bedford, IN?

What is the population of Bedford, IN? +

The population of Bedford, IN stands at 13,824 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bedford, IN? +

Median annual household income in Bedford runs $50,253, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bedford? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bedford; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Bedford, IN safe? +

Bedford has a total crime rate of 302.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bedford, IN? +

Bedford's median home value sits at $136,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bedford? +

Bedford has an average annual temperature of 54.3°F, 48.6 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.