Bedford, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bedford, Pennsylvania had a total population of 2,851, the 501st largest borough in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $41,375, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 2,851 | 2,851 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $50,570 | $41,375 | -18.2% |
| Median home value | $182,300 | $182,000 | -0.2% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bedford Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Bedford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everett | 2,052 | $38,565 | 24.5% | $120,000 |
| Earlston | 1,259 | $78,490 | 3.6% | $167,200 |
| Hyndman | 850 | $56,429 | 11.9% | $99,700 |
| Saxton | 791 | $31,875 | 35.8% | $119,600 |
| Stonerstown | 430 | $62,614 | 6.8% | $139,700 |
| Woodbury | 346 | $47,708 | 33.7% | $159,900 |
| Schellsburg | 342 | $81,250 | 15.5% | $136,900 |
| Defiance | 316 | $90,694 | 3.6% | $87,400 |
| Manns Choice | 315 | $65,179 | 15.6% | $91,000 |
| New Paris | 225 | $62,813 | 28.4% | $106,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery Rock University | 2,853 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Homestead | 2,874 | $39,052 | $83,900 | 19.6% | 18.6% |
| Union City | 2,887 | $44,004 | $88,100 | 13.2% | 23.7% |
| Luzerne | 2,723 | $42,135 | $113,900 | 16.9% | 19.9% |
| Philipsburg | 2,748 | $47,794 | $148,700 | 25.0% | 12.5% |
Population Overview
Bedford is a small community located in Pennsylvania, within Bedford County. The total population is 2,851. It ranks as the 501st most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bedford is 45.9 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 40.9 years. 14.2% 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 $41,375. This is 47% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 7% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $182,000. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 47.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bedford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Asian residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 10.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 8.7%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bedford, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Bedford, Pennsylvania has a population of 2,851 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bedford, PA?
The median household income in Bedford is $41,375, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bedford, PA?
The poverty rate in Bedford is 12.5%. This means approximately 355 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bedford, Pennsylvania?
Bedford's population is 94.1% White, 0.9% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bedford, PA?
The median home value in Bedford is $182,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Bedford, Pennsylvania?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Bedford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.