Bedford, VA

Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Bedford is a small city in Virginia with a population of 6,703. Residents earn $47,697 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
6,703 Population 604/sq mi density
$47,697 Median Income $29,729 per capita
$192,600 Home Value $275,202 Zillow
$876 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
204 Violent Crime/100K 6,001 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$47,697 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$192,600 home value, $876/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
204 violent crimes/100K (46% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,697
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $192,600
32% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 204/100K
46% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.5%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $876
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.1%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.1%
30% higher than US avg

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

People

Population6,703
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density604/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,697
Per Capita$29,729
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty16.1%
County GDP$2,746M
Commute20 min

Housing

A
Home Value$192,600
Rent$876
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$275,202

Crime

F
Violent204/100K
Property6,001/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault51/100K
Burglary425/100K

Health

Obesity42.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI35 (Good)
Rain46.3 in/yr
Elevation966 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.5%
High School+84.6%
School Score5.63

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute20 min
EV Stations5
Libraries6

Is Bedford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bedford receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bedford has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bedford is $47,697, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. The poverty rate of 16.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bedford is $192,600, 32% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $876 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bedford is below the national average at 204 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,001 per 100,000, 206% above the national average.

Education

19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Bedford enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Bedford has a population of 6,703 with a density of 604 people per square mile. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77%), with 1.8% Hispanic, 15.6% Black.

Population

6,703
Total Population
604
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
11.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Bedford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.8%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.3%
53% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bedford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bedford is $47,697, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Bedford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,697
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,729
Avg Weekly Wage$930
IRS Avg AGI$87,825

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.1%
30% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,307
County GDP$2,746M

Business (County)

Restaurants110
Healthcare164
Retail228
Manufacturing79

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,708
23% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bedford is $192,600, 32% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $876 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $275,202.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$192,600
32% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$275,202
Median List Price$299,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$299,900
$/Sq Ft$131
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops11.1%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$876
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,027
1 Bedroom$1,033
2 Bedrooms$1,187
3 Bedrooms$1,635
4 Bedrooms$1,750

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,708
23% below US avg
Effective Rate1.41%
In Bedford, 42.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 32.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.1%
31% above US avg
Diabetes13.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure35.3%
Asthma12.0%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity32.4%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.7%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death8,449/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access55.8%
Healthcare Facilities164
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 204 per 100,000 residents, 46% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,001 per 100,000 (206% 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 Violent204.0/100K
46% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape102.0/100K
Robbery51.0/100K
Assault51.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,001.4/100K
206% above US avg
Burglary425.0/100K
Theft5,389.3/100K
Vehicle Theft187.0/100K
Arson51.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bedford has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.0°F
6% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.3 inches
22% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation966 ft (294 m)
Area11.1 sq mi (28.7 km²)
Population Density604/sq mi
Coordinates37.3363°N, 79.5177°W
County FIPS51019
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 50.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.8%
D 24.4%

Winner: Republican by 50.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.5%
42% below US avg
High School+84.6%
School Test Score5.63
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density604/sq mi
Total Area11.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities164
Restaurants110
Retail Stores228

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Work from Home5.7%

Nearby Cities

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