Population 80,894 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Bedford County
Household size in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.52 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.47 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The average household in Bedford County has 2.47 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.1 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.3 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.8 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.1 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.1, Bedford County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 43.1, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the south.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.7% of households in Bedford County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.4 points, as it has nationally. Bedford County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Virginia counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bedford County
Renters in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.3% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.6% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.3% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Bedford County is largely a place of homeowners: only 15.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 41.5% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.4% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.6% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Just as many homes sit empty in Bedford County as nationally: 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 2.3 points, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1984 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1986 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Bedford County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1989, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1984 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $642 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $783 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $913 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,018 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$376 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Bedford County runs $1,018 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $376 a month since 2006–10, up 59%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.9% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bedford County
Bachelor's degrees in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.9% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.5% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.4% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.4% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.6 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Bedford County (34.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is lower than in Virginia as a whole (42.5%). The share with a degree is up 8.6 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.7% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.8% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.5% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.7% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.0 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About nine in ten adults in Bedford County have finished high school (92.7%), above the national rate of 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of Virginia. The share with a diploma has risen 7.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bedford County
| Period | Bedford County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.7% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.5% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Bedford County has been strong: just 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bedford County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford County | 2.47 | 47.1 | 6.7% | 15.3% | 9.6% | 1989 | $1,018 | 34.4% | 92.7% | 2.9% |
| Lynchburg City | 2.36 | 32.9 | 11.9% | 51.1% | 15.0% | 1971 | $1,081 | 43.4% | 92.0% | 6.0% |
| Campbell County | 2.47 | 43.9 | 10.1% | 25.1% | 12.9% | 1983 | $919 | 26.4% | 90.3% | 3.7% |
| Botetourt County | 2.58 | 47.9 | 7.1% | 14.5% | 12.4% | 1984 | $1,171 | 29.0% | 94.4% | 2.5% |
| Roanoke City | 2.28 | 40.2 | 13.5% | 47.6% | 12.5% | 1959 | $1,018 | 29.7% | 89.7% | 5.4% |
| Roanoke County | 2.42 | 44.1 | 10.6% | 24.3% | 7.1% | 1979 | $1,242 | 37.1% | 94.6% | 2.8% |
| Salem City | 2.30 | 41.5 | 11.9% | 37.2% | 8.4% | 1967 | $1,235 | 33.7% | 93.7% | 3.3% |
| Appomattox County | 2.50 | 43.8 | 12.3% | 24.2% | 11.2% | 1981 | $942 | 19.6% | 92.4% | 4.7% |
| Craig County | 2.89 | 47.8 | 4.3% | 16.3% | 27.2% | 1981 | $706 | 19.6% | 86.6% | 2.4% |
| Prince Edward County | 2.23 | 34.3 | 11.1% | 42.0% | 19.6% | 1977 | $1,067 | 30.0% | 89.0% | 1.2% |
| Giles County | 2.49 | 44.9 | 5.5% | 21.1% | 19.0% | 1971 | $799 | 18.5% | 91.4% | 2.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: York County, VA · Polk County, OR · Cheshire County, NH · Glynn County, GA · Grays Harbor County, WA · Indiana County, PA · Island County, WA · Lapeer County, MI · McKinley County, NM · Monroe County, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bedford County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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