Bedford, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bedford, Indiana had a total population of 13,837, the 66th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $49,553, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Bedford Quick Facts
How Bedford Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,824 | 13,837 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $50,253 | $49,553 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $136,900 | $152,400 | +11.3% |
How Bedford Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bedford Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
Cities Similar to Bedford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connersville | 13,109 | $48,854 | $106,300 | 15.0% | 23.4% |
| Beech Grove | 14,913 | $49,973 | $182,600 | 23.9% | 11.1% |
| Speedway | 13,968 | $60,147 | $228,600 | 34.3% | 17.5% |
| Washington | 12,367 | $50,331 | $152,200 | 16.8% | 18.2% |
| Lake Station | 13,185 | $59,591 | $137,400 | 7.4% | 15.4% |
Population Overview
Bedford is a small city located in Indiana, within Lawrence County. The total population is 13,837. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bedford is 41.8 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.1 years. 12.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bedford is $49,553. This is 31% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $152,400. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bedford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.7%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 8.6%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bedford, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bedford, Indiana?
Bedford, Indiana has a population of 13,837 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bedford, IN?
The median household income in Bedford is $49,553, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bedford, IN?
The poverty rate in Bedford is 16.2%. This means approximately 2,150 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bedford, Indiana?
Bedford's population is 93.5% White, 0.6% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bedford, IN?
The median home value in Bedford is $152,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Bedford, Indiana?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Bedford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.