Bedford County: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Bedford County center on a median $78,937 (about the same as Bedford County median $78,937; 1.2× below Virginia median $93,170), with homes at a median value of $297,400.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $78,937 — below the Virginia median ($92,968). Poverty rate 9.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $38,010 |
|---|---|
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $3,338,233 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $87,825 (vs Virginia $92,983) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Median Household Income | $78,937 (vs Virginia $92,968) |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 — county FIPS · Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — county-level query · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.9% — below the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 18,602 |
|---|---|
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $899,220,270 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $48,340 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 3,981,130 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% (at Virginia median) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES)
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 122 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 155,334 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1,273.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Field Crops, Other, Horticulture Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,812 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 16,865 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 774,562 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 8 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 17 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 20 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 14 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 44 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 38 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
| Total Snap Stores | 52 |
|---|
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $649,842,883 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 8,178.03 (vs Virginia $14,580) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 79,462 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
Sources: USAspending API