Bedford, IN

Indiana

Bedford is a small city in Indiana with a population of 13,824. Residents earn $50,253 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
13,824 Population 1,132/sq mi density
$50,253 Median Income $31,469 per capita
$136,900 Home Value $203,096 Zillow
$819 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
112 Violent Crime/100K 3,799 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$50,253 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$136,900 home value, $819/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
112 violent crimes/100K (70% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,253
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,900
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 112/100K
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.6%
48% lower than US avg
Median Rent $819
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.7%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.6%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population13,824
Median Age41.6 yrs
Density1,132/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,253
Per Capita$31,469
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty11.6%
County GDP$1,784M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,900
Rent$819
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$203,096

Crime

F
Violent112/100K
Property3,799/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault45/100K
Burglary366/100K

Health

Obesity43.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.2%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation698 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.6%
High School+88.1%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute24 min
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Bedford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bedford receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. 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 $50,253, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 11.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bedford is $136,900, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $819 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Bedford is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 112 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,799 per 100,000, 94% above the national average.

Education

17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Bedford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches, including 12.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Bedford has a population of 13,824 with a density of 1,132 people per square mile. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

13,824
Total Population
1,132
People / sq mi
41.6yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
12.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Bedford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bedford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bedford is $50,253, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Bedford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,253
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,469
Avg Weekly Wage$949
IRS Avg AGI$60,281

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.6%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)906
County GDP$1,784M

Business (County)

Restaurants58
Healthcare126
Retail165
Manufacturing53

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,863
18% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bedford is $136,900, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $819 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $203,096.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,900
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$203,096
Median List Price$192,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$192,450
$/Sq Ft$117
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio93.2%
Price Drops19.5%
Inventory77

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$819
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$882
2 Bedrooms$1,096
3 Bedrooms$1,391
4 Bedrooms$1,590

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,863
18% below US avg
Effective Rate2.09%
In Bedford, 43.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.2% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.7%
36% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure35.9%
Asthma12.0%
COPD9.2%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression27.2%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.7%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death10,600/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access74.6%
Healthcare Facilities126
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 112 per 100,000 residents, 70% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,799 per 100,000 (94% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent112.2/100K
70% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape52.4/100K
Robbery15.0/100K
Assault44.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,799.0/100K
94% above US avg
Burglary366.4/100K
Theft3,215.7/100K
Vehicle Theft216.9/100K
Arson15.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bedford has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.1°F
0% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.5 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall12.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation698 ft (213 m)
Area12.2 sq mi (31.6 km²)
Population Density1,132/sq mi
Coordinates38.8602°N, 86.4895°W
County FIPS18093
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.6%
D 23.6%

Winner: Republican by 51 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.6%
48% below US avg
High School+88.1%
School Test Score6.01
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,132/sq mi
Total Area12.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities126
Restaurants58
Retail Stores165

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Work from Home5.7%

Nearby Cities

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