Bedford, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bedford, Virginia had a total population of 7,724, the 162nd largest town in Virginia, with a median household income of $70,288, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 6,703 | 7,724 | +15.2% |
| Median household income | $47,697 | $70,288 | +47.4% |
| Median home value | $192,600 | $222,500 | +15.5% |
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bedford Rankings in Virginia
Explore Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Bedford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest | 13,430 | $81,552 | 9.6% | $319,800 |
| Stewartsville | 737 | $94,390 | 12.5% | $217,600 |
| Moneta | 395 | N/A | 25.1% | $232,200 |
| Montvale | 351 | N/A | 15.4% | $255,900 |
| Big Island | 91 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | 7,772 | $61,164 | $293,200 | 38.0% | 24.3% |
| Vinton | 8,056 | $65,445 | $190,900 | 18.4% | 10.5% |
| Dumbarton | 7,997 | $60,169 | $291,300 | 31.0% | 12.1% |
| Lexington | 7,525 | $84,517 | $275,200 | 50.7% | 14.0% |
| Franklin | 8,250 | $63,245 | $256,600 | 27.3% | 19.4% |
Population Overview
Bedford is a small city located in Virginia, within Bedford County. The total population is 7,724. It ranks as the 162nd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bedford is 44.6 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bedford is $70,288. This is 25% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $222,500. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 69.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bedford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bedford, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?
Bedford, Virginia has a population of 7,724 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bedford, VA?
The median household income in Bedford is $70,288, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bedford, VA?
The poverty rate in Bedford is 12.2%. This means approximately 902 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bedford, Virginia?
Bedford's population is 79.2% White, 13.9% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bedford, VA?
The median home value in Bedford is $222,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Bedford, Virginia?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Bedford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.