Bedford, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Bedford is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 2,851. Residents earn $50,570 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,851 Population 2,616/sq mi density
$50,570 Median Income $35,103 per capita
$182,300 Home Value
$674 Median Rent 29.6% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
181 Violent Crime/100K 1,409 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$50,570 median income, 0.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$182,300 home value, $674/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
181 violent crimes/100K (52% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,570
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $182,300
35% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 181/100K
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.9%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $674
42% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.5%
80% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,851
Median Age52.1 yrs
Density2,616/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans8.9%

Economy

A
Median Income$50,570
Per Capita$35,103
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty2.5%
County GDP$8,000M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$182,300
Rent$674
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden29.6%

Crime

F
Violent181/100K
Property1,409/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault181/100K
Burglary181/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain40.5 in/yr
Elevation1,110 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+92.9%
School Score5.82

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute15 min
Broadband71.2%
EV Stations3
Libraries8

Is Bedford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bedford receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. 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 $50,570, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bedford is $182,300, 35% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $674 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bedford is below the national average at 181 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,409 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Bedford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.5 inches, including 37.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bedford has a population of 2,851 with a density of 2,616 people per square mile. The median age is 52.1 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.8%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

2,851
Total Population
2,616
People / sq mi
52.1yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Bedford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bedford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bedford is $50,570, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Bedford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,570
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,103
Avg Weekly Wage$1,024
IRS Avg AGI$66,997

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.5%
80% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,430
County GDP$8,000M

Business (County)

Restaurants305
Healthcare462
Retail495
Manufacturing128

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,849
39% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.1 min
Drive Alone86.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Bedford is $182,300, 35% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $674 (42% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$182,300
35% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$674
42% below US avg
Rent Burden29.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$677
1 Bedroom$742
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,226
4 Bedrooms$1,476

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied48.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,849
39% above US avg
Effective Rate2.66%

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.2%
Premature Death10,059/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access75.5%
Healthcare Facilities462
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 181 per 100,000 residents, 52% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,409 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent180.7/100K
52% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault180.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,409.5/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary180.7/100K
Theft1,084.2/100K
Vehicle Theft144.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bedford has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.5 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall37.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,110 ft (338 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density2,616/sq mi
Coordinates40.0151°N, 78.5030°W
County FIPS42013
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43.5-point margin. 71.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.4%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.9%
35% below US avg
High School+92.9%
School Test Score5.82
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density2,616/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access71.2%
EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities462
Restaurants305
Retail Stores495

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.1 min
Drive Alone86.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.4%

Nearby Cities

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