County · Tennessee
Bedford County, Tennessee
Bedford County, Tennessee. Bedford County had 55,273 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 10.0% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 5 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 47003.
Bedford County is the county of the Shelbyville, TN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
55,273
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 50,237 · ACS 2020-2024: 52,237
Median household income
$67,225
±$4,697 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$281,200
±$10,735 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$1,051
±$82 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Bedford County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 50,237 residents in Bedford County. The Census Bureau estimates 55,273 for July 1, 2025, up 10.0% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 52,237 over 474 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bedford County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 52,237 | 7,066,383 | +3,945 |
| Households | 19,505±302 | 2,824,277 | +2,476 |
| Average household size | 2.64±0.04 | 2.45 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 20,488±47 | 3,143,670 | +1,355 |
Bedford County's population since 2000
From 37,586 in 2000 to 55,273 in 2025: up 47.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bedford County?
Bedford County holds 5 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Shelbyville with 26,146 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Shelbyville | 23,557 | $55,073 |
|---|---|---|
| UnionvilleGEOID 4776180 | 1,394 | $70,541 |
| Wartrace | 653 | $50,417 |
| Bell Buckle | 410 | $86,250 |
| NormandyGEOID 4753580 | 108 | $59,792 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bedford County?
The median resident of Bedford County is 37.6 years old; 25.3% are under 18 and 14.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 72.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 16.0%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bedford County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.6±0.7 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.3%±0.1 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.8%±0.5 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16.0% | 7.4% | +3.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 72.8%±0.2 pts | 71.0% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 15.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6%±1.2 pts | 6.1% | +2.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.1%±1.3 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±0.9 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2%±1.2 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.6%±2.2 pts | 10.0% | +3.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±1.7 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.2%±2.2 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1%±1.0 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2%±0.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Bedford County's 19,505 households earn less than $67,225 a year (±$4,697), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $62,045 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bedford County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,225±$4,697 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,190±$5,031 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,163±$1,425 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6%±2.3 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.8%±5.0 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.2%±2.2 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.2%±2.2 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 71.9% of Bedford County's occupied homes and renters 28.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $281,200 by its owner (±$10,735). The median renter pays $1,051 a month including utilities, and 38.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bedford County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $281,200±$10,735 | $286,700 | +$95,242 |
| Median gross rent | $1,051±$82 | $1,189 | +$107 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.6%±8.9 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,461±$78 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.9%±2.6 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,488±47 | 3,143,670 | +1,355 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.1%±2.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.4%±2.1 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.1%±1.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.1%±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.2%±1.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 many new homes is Bedford County building?
Builders took permits for 378 new housing units across Bedford County in 2025 (376 single-family), 6.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bedford County get to work?
74.8% of Bedford County's workers drive alone and 10.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Bedford County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.6%±1.9 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.8%±3.3 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.3%±2.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.5%±1.8 pts | 12.9% | +7.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.4 min±1.7 | 25.7 min | +3.5 min |
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 are Bedford County's census tracts?
Bedford County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,233 (Tract 9504.02) to $91,875 (Tract 9502.01).
| Tract 950147003950100 | 4,447±531 | $84,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0147003950201 | 3,543±463 | $91,875 |
| Tract 9502.0247003950202 | 3,831±593 | $81,451 |
| Tract 950347003950300 | 3,687±570 | $67,955 |
| Tract 9504.0147003950401 | 5,928±823 | $65,617 |
| Tract 9504.0247003950402 | 8,798±1,021 | $53,233 |
| Tract 950547003950500 | 6,733±851 | $66,411 |
| Tract 950647003950600 | 8,975±985 | $57,491 |
| Tract 950747003950700 | 3,352±367 | $76,645 |
| Tract 950847003950800 | 2,943±480 | $88,226 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bedford County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 32nd of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 11th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 32nd of 95 |
| Median household income | 21st of 95 |
| Median home value | 19th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 73rd of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th of 95 |
| Median age | 86th of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.