Bedford, Ohio Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bedford, Ohio had a total population of 12,931, the 147th largest city in Ohio, with a median household income of $57,308, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
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 | 12,960 | 12,931 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $56,563 | $57,308 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $124,900 | $135,200 | +8.2% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bedford Rankings in Ohio
Explore Ohio Rankings
Other Cities in Cuyahoga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 366,097 | $40,801 | 30.6% | $102,000 |
| Parma | 79,870 | $69,295 | 10.1% | $170,100 |
| Lakewood | 50,007 | $68,954 | 10.3% | $262,200 |
| Euclid | 48,823 | $50,285 | 16.6% | $126,500 |
| Strongsville | 45,983 | $103,253 | 5.3% | $298,300 |
| Cleveland Heights | 44,497 | $72,826 | 15.9% | $192,100 |
| Westlake | 34,104 | $112,200 | 4.9% | $368,200 |
| North Olmsted | 31,924 | $84,363 | 8.3% | $219,800 |
| North Royalton | 30,972 | $83,670 | 5.8% | $292,600 |
| Garfield Heights | 29,269 | $54,593 | 22.0% | $109,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 12,620 | $57,199 | $174,400 | 21.2% | 17.5% |
| West Carrollton | 12,976 | $61,619 | $156,900 | 21.7% | 16.0% |
| Dover | 13,053 | $64,276 | $193,700 | 27.0% | 11.5% |
| Fostoria | 12,344 | $54,151 | $87,200 | 9.9% | 16.4% |
| Bellefontaine | 13,807 | $58,806 | $180,500 | 15.8% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Bedford is a small city located in Ohio, within Cuyahoga County. The total population is 12,931. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bedford is 42.2 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bedford is $57,308. This is 20% lower than the state median of $71,389. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.3%. The unemployment rate is 8.1%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $135,200. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $214,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Bedford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 67.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bedford is Black or African American, making up 57.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 32.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (32.8%) is well below the state average of 75.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (57.7% vs 12.0%).
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bedford, Ohio 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 Ohio state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,264 Census-designated places in Ohio. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Ohio city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bedford, Ohio?
Bedford, Ohio has a population of 12,931 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bedford, OH?
The median household income in Bedford is $57,308, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bedford, OH?
The poverty rate in Bedford is 13.7%. This means approximately 1,760 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bedford, Ohio?
Bedford's population is 32.8% White, 57.7% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bedford, OH?
The median home value in Bedford is $135,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Bedford, Ohio?
20.2% of adults (25+) in Bedford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.