Town · Virginia
Bedford, Virginia
Bedford, town, in Bedford County, Virginia. Bedford had 7,911 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% from the Bureau's April 2020 estimates base of 7,621; the 2020 Census counted 6,657 on the place as it was defined then and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,724 (±21). GEOID 5105544.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,911
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,657 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,724 ±21
Median household income
$70,288
±$12,886 (90% margin)
Virginia: $93,170
Median home value
$222,500
±$19,246 (90% margin)
Virginia: $383,700
Median gross rent
$828
±$67 (90% margin)
Virginia: $1,579
Where is Bedford and what county is it in?
Bedford is a town in Bedford County, Virginia. It covers 11.1 square miles of land, 600 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bedford is in the Lynchburg, VA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 5 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bedford, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,911 people lived in Bedford on July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, faster than Virginia (+2.9%). The Census Bureau's yearly estimates start from its own April 2020 base for Bedford, 7,621, which differs from the 2020 Census count of 6,657: the estimates follow the place as the estimates program defines it today (its present boundaries, and for a consolidated city-county the area the program assigns it), so the change since 2020 is measured from that base. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,724 (±21).
| Measure | Bedford | Bedford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,724 ±21 | 80,894 | +1,162 |
| Households | 3,065 ±358 | 33,127 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40 ±0.27 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,379 ±375 | 37,484 | no clear change |
Bedford's population since 2000
From 6,299 in 2000 to 7,911 in 2025: up 25.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bedford as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bedford?
The median resident of Bedford is 44.6 years old; 21.0% are under 18 and 21.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.9%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bedford | Bedford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.6 ±3.5 | 47.2 | +10.1 |
| Under 18 years | 21.0% ±6.6 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.3% ±3.7 pts | 23.3% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±3.3 pts | 49.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% ±1.4 pts | 2.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.2% ±5.5 pts | 85.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.9% ±4.9 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±1.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.8% ±1.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4% ±1.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.8% ±2.1 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.6% ±2.8 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.6% ±3.8 pts | 12.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.2% ±3.3 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.6% ±3.1 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.9% ±6.2 pts | 33.7% | +10.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6% ±3.2 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.2% ±2.7 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bedford earn?
Half of Bedford's 3,065 households earn less than $70,288 a year (±$12,886), against $78,937 in Bedford County and $93,170 in Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,753 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $25,535 after inflation. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bedford | Bedford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,288 ±$12,886 | $78,937 | +$25,535 |
| Mean household income | $78,161 ±$8,063 | $102,452 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,315 ±$4,395 | $42,461 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2% ±5.0 pts | 8.1% | −14.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.2% ±11.2 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.3% ±4.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.6% ±4.2 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3% ±5.0 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bedford?
Owners occupy 69.2% of Bedford's occupied homes and renters 30.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $222,500 by its owner (±$19,246). The median renter pays $828 a month including utilities, and 37.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bedford | Bedford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $222,500 ±$19,246 | $297,400 | +$44,296 |
| Median gross rent | $828 ±$67 | $952 | −$115 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.9% ±12.9 pts | 40.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,394 ±$91 | $1,522 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.2% ±6.0 pts | 84.7% | +22.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 30.8% ±6.0 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Housing units | 3,379 ±375 | 37,484 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.5% ±7.2 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.3% ±5.0 pts | 78.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.0% ±2.4 pts | 9.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.7% ±2.5 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.7% ±3.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.0% ±4.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Bedford work and get to work?
76.1% of Bedford's workers drive alone and 7.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.1%.
| Measure | Bedford | Bedford County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.8% ±5.3 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% ±3.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 76.1% ±8.1 pts | 78.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.9% ±6.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.7% ±3.8 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.3 min ±3.2 | 26.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bedford?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Bedford, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $49,508 (Tract 501.01) to $80,183 (Tract 501.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 501.01Bedford County | 2,961 | $49,508 |
| Tract 501.02Bedford County | 2,631 | $80,183 |
| Tract 304.04Bedford County | 3,580 | $62,692 |
| Tract 304.03Bedford County | 3,634 | $70,486 |
| Tract 304.01Bedford County | 3,206 | $71,632 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bedford) · Census block assignment files
How does Bedford compare with other places in Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bedford is the 3,766th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 48th-most populous of 227 in Virginia.
Bedford ranks 230th of 365 places in Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 48th | 227 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 37th | 139 |
| Residents per square mile | 292nd | 374 |
| Median household income | 230th | 365 |
| Per capita income | 273rd | 374 |
| Median home value | 271st | 359 |
| Median gross rent | 288th | 341 |
| Poverty rate | 117th | 263 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 238th | 359 |
| Median age | 82nd | 372 |
| Owner-occupied share | 183rd | 368 |
| Work from home | 262nd | 286 |
| Travel time to work | 305th | 372 |
Bedford's figures with every place in Virginia (CSV)
Every place in Virginia, sortable · Compare Bedford with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bedford?
12 of the 57 figures for Bedford on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bedford are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bedford.