Bedford: Demographics & People
Bedford's population stands at 7,724 people, in 3,065 households. Population grew 15.2% from 6,703 (2022) to 7,724 (2024). Median age 44.6 years. (2.6y younger than Bedford County; 6.8y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 21% of the population. Population is 79% White (non-Hispanic) and 14% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.32). 63% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,699 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 15% smoke.
- 2.5 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 37% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 73 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 15.2% from 6,703 (2022) to 7,724 (2024) — about 25.4× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~8,945 (extrapolated at 7.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 10,751.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 79,462 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 15.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 6,703 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 7,724 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 7,724 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 10,751 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 44.6y is 5.7 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 21% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 44.6 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 7,724 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 1,621 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 1,532.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 2,924.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 1,647 |
| Population under 18 | 1,621 |
| Median age | 44.6 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 7,724 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.32 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 5,164 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 1,045 |
| Asian residents | 82 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 112 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 32.2% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 80.6% |
| Asian population | 0.8% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 13.9% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.3% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 79.2% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.7% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 5,320 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 2,163 |
| Share born in this state | 68.9% |
| Share born in another state | 31.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 28.0% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.7% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.4% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 348 |
| From Africa | 207 |
Households & Family Composition
3,065 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 63% are family households — near the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 1,581 families, 18% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 1,242 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 1,581 |
| Married couples with children | 282 |
| Single-parent households | 27 |
| Average household size | 2.17 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 14.9% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 101 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 15 |
| Family households | 1,934 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 63.1% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 3,065 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 7.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 2,699 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 7.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 80,409 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 77,710 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,699 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 420 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.6% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 363 residents live in group quarters (4.7% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 363 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51019 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 019 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Bedford |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 12.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 10.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 15.30 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51019 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Bedford County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 2,309 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51019 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Bedford County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 52.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 45.8% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 30.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 78,997 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.70 |
| Family Score · Schools | 7 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 4 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 21.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 7,724, booming, established, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 7,724 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Bedford County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade