Bedford, IA

Iowa

Bedford is a small town in Iowa with a population of 1,389. Residents earn $57,031 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
1,389 Population 863/sq mi density
$57,031 Median Income $31,129 per capita
$88,900 Home Value $100,107 Zillow
$663 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$57,031 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,900 home value, $663/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,031
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,900
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.4%
63% lower than US avg
Median Rent $663
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.4%
65% lower than US avg

How Bedford Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,389
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density863/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B+
Median Income$57,031
Per Capita$31,129
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty4.4%
County GDP$376M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,900
Rent$663
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$100,107

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.4%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain38.4 in/yr
Elevation1,160 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.4%
High School+90.4%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute22 min
Libraries4

Is Bedford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bedford receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bedford offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bedford is $57,031, 24% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 4.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bedford is $88,900, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $663 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Bedford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bedford has a population of 1,389 with a density of 863 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.5%), with 3.3% Hispanic.

Population

1,389
Total Population
863
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Bedford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.8%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.2%
99% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bedford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bedford is $57,031, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Bedford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,031
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,129
Avg Weekly Wage$992
IRS Avg AGI$65,359

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.4%
65% below US avg
Establishments (County)192
County GDP$376M

Business (County)

Restaurants8
Healthcare8
Retail20
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,560
2% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Work from Home1.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bedford is $88,900, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $663 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $100,107.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,900
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$100,107

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$663
43% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,560
2% above US avg
Effective Rate4.00%
In Bedford, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.4% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bedford vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure32.2%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression23.4%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.6%
Checkup Rate74.9%
Premature Death8,565/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access60.2%
Healthcare Facilities8

Crime Rates: Bedford vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Bedford has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.4 inches
1% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,160 ft (354 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density863/sq mi
Coordinates40.6712°N, 94.7243°W
County FIPS19173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 12.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (63% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.4%
D 21.6%

Winner: Republican by 55.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.4%
63% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score5.73
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density863/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities8
Restaurants8
Retail Stores20

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Work from Home1.7%

Nearby Cities

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