County population in 2012: 69,590 (22% urban, 78% rural); it was 60,371 in 2000 County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 15,592 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 7,639 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 20,640 Renter-occupied apartments: 4,234 (it was 3,198 in 2000)
% of renters here:
13%
State:
33%
Land area: 755 sq. mi. Water area: 14.8 sq. mi.
Population density: 92 people per square mile
(average).
Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Bedford County: 87.1 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
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Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $971 (0.5%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $790 (0.5%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 6.5%
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 6.5%
Bedford County:
6.5%
Virginia:
10.5%
Median age of residents in 2010: 44 years old
(Males: 43 years old, Females: 44 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 44 years old, Black residents: 44 years old, American Indian residents: 39 years old, Asian residents: 33 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 26 years old, Other race residents: 27 years old)
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
7.1%
Whole state:
9.6%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This county:
3.1%
Whole state:
4.3%
Area name: Lynchburg, VA MSA Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bedford County is $443 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $534 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $658 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Bedford County: Harveys Knob Overlook (A), Matts Creek Shelter (B), Bear Camp (C), Mills Gap Overlook (D), Montvale Overlook (E), Prison Camp Number 24 (F), Meads Store (G), Thunder Hill Trail Shelter (H), Stone Mountain (I), Great Valley Overlook (J), Onion Mountain Overlook (K), Boonsboro Country Club (L), Bedford Country Club (M), Hendricks Store (N), Pine Tree Overlook (O), Porters Mountain Overlook (P), Quarry Overlook (Q), Goose Creek Valley Overlook (R), Thunder Hill Shelter (S), Flat Top Mountain Overlook (T). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Bedford County include: Antioch Church (A), Promised Land Church (B), Academy Presbyterian Church (C), Barnhardt Church (D), Altha Grove Church (E), Basham Church (F), Antioch Church (G), Beaverdam Church (H), Rock Pike Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Saint Clair Cemetery (1), Virginia Memorial Park (2), Callaway-Steptoe Cemetery (3), Sharon Cemetery (4), Simmons Cemetery (5), Waldron Cemetery (6), West Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Reservoirs: Saunders Pond (A), Swine Lake (B), Old Elkton Lake (C), Holdrens Pond (D), Markham Pond (E), Spring Hill Lake (F), Peaks of Otter Lake (G), Colemans Fall Reservoir (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Johns Creek (A), Wolf Creek (B), Witcher Creek (C), Widemouth Creek (D), Wells Creek (E), Walton Creek (F), Trough Run (G), Tom Branch (H), Tick Branch (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Bedford County include: Smith Mountain Lake State Park (1), Montvale Wayside (2), Snow Creek Recreation Area (3), Peaks of Otter Recreation Area (4). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 1,752 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 80.1% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20.9%
Number of foreign born residents: 1,098 (58% naturalized citizens)
Bedford County:
1.8%
Whole state:
8.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 168
1990 to 1994: 115
1985 to 1989: 88
1980 to 1984: 172
1975 to 1979: 75
1970 to 1974: 60
1970 to 1974: 110
1965 to 1969: 310
Mean travel time to work (commute): 27.8 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 22.5%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 19,960
One, attached: 666
Two: 223
3 or 4: 219
5 to 9: 491
10 to 19: 60
20 or more: 115
Mobile homes: 5,041
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 66
Housing units in Bedford County with a mortgage: 9,746 (983 second mortgage, 1,595 home equity loan, 40 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 4,177
Here:
70.0% with mortgage
State:
75.1% with mortgage
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 7
This county:
1.05 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:
2.03 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 1
Bedford County:
0.15 / 10,000 pop.
State:
0.17 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 7
Bedford County:
1.05 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:
1.43 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 18
This county:
2.70 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:
4.03 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 28
Bedford County:
4.21 / 10,000 pop.
Virginia:
7.65 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Here:
8.6%
Virginia:
9.3%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:
27.1%
Virginia:
26.7%
Agriculture in Bedford County:
Average size of farms: 155 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $15,031 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $68.47 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 6.37% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 81.59% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $15,034 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 26.15% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 1.18% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $38,030 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.92% Average age of principal farm operators: 59 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 23.44 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 3.94% Corn for grain: 746 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 441 harvested acres Vegetables: 15 harvested acres Land in orchards: 368 acres
Tornado activity:
Bedford County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is near Virginia state average. It is 1.2 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 12 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 4/28/2002, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 12 people and caused $6 million in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Bedford County-area historical earthquake activity is significantly below Virginia state average. It is 94% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 12/9/2003 at 20:59:14, a magnitude 4.5 (4.5 MB, 4.5 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 92.7 miles away from the county center On 10/21/1998 at 05:56:47, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, 3.3 LG, Depth: 8.3 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 65.4 miles away from the county center On 5/5/2003 at 16:32:32, a magnitude 3.9 (3.9 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 87.0 miles away from the county center On 3/15/1991 at 06:54:08, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 LG, Depth: 10.9 mi) earthquake occurred 94.8 miles away from Bedford County center On 4/22/1991 at 01:01:20, a magnitude 3.5 (3.5 LG, Depth: 9.1 mi) earthquake occurred 56.7 miles away from the county center On 9/22/2001 at 16:01:20, a magnitude 3.2 (3.2 LG, 2.5 LG, Depth: 1.2 mi) earthquake occurred 80.6 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB)
Most recent natural disasters:
Virginia Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 18, 2009 to December 20, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1874): February 16, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1874, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Virginia Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3240): September 12, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3240, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Virginia Hurricane Isabel, Incident Period: September 18, 2003 to October 1, 2003, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1491): September 18, 2003, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1491, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Virginia Severe Storms and Tornado, Incident Period: April 28, 2002 to May 3, 2002, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1411): May 5, 2002, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1411, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado
Virginia Winter Storm, Incident Period: January 25, 2000 to January 30, 2000, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1318): February 28, 2000, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1318, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Virginia Hurricane Fran, Incident Period: September 5, 1996 to September 23, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1135): September 6, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1135, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Virginia Blizzard, Incident Period: January 6, 1996 to January 12, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1086): January 13, 1996, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1086, Natural disaster type: Blizzard
Virginia Severe Storm, Flooding, Incident Period: June 22, 1995 to July 7, 1995, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1059): July 1, 1995, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1059, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Virginia Ice Storm, Winter Storm, Severe Storm, Incident Period: March 1, 1994 to March 5, 1994, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1021): April 11, 1994, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1021, Natural disaster type: Ice Storm, Winter Storm, Storm
Virginia Ice Storm, Severe Storm, Flooding, Incident Period: February 8, 1994 to February 12, 1994, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1014): March 10, 1994, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1014, Natural disaster type: Ice Storm, Storm, Flood
9 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Bedford County (19) is greater than the US average (12). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 15 Emergencies Declared: 4
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 7, Hurricanes: 3, Storms: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Droughts: 2, Ice Storms: 2, Winter Storms: 2, Tornado: 1, Blizzard: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Tropical Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (-0%)
Business operations specialists (-0%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
United Kingdom (11%)
Germany (11%)
Canada (10%)
India (8%)
Philippines (5%)
Laos (5%)
Colombia (5%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Bedford County (%):
United States or American (28%)
English (16%)
German (11%)
Irish (10%)
Scotch-Irish (3%)
Italian (3%)
Scottish (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 25,490 (85%)
Carpooled: 3,138 (10%)
Bus or trolley bus: 25 (0%)
Subway or elevated: 16 (0%)
Railroad: 8 (0%)
Ferryboat: 9 (0%)
Taxi: 25 (0%)
Motorcycle: 12 (0%)
Bicycle: 5 (0%)
Walked: 185 (1%)
Other means: 123 (0%)
Worked at home: 895 (3%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders
People in group quarters in Bedford County, Virginia in 2000:
148 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
93 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
88 people in nursing homes
22 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
21 people in homes for the mentally retarded
3 people in other nonhousehold living situations
People in group quarters in Bedford County, Virginia in 2010:
127 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
75 people in correctional residential facilities
46 people in group homes intended for adults
16 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
10 people in residential treatment centers for adults
7 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
6 people in workers’ group living quarters and job corps centers
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $57,662.
8.69% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($55,366 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
8.69%
Virginia average:
11.06%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
6.06% relocated from other counties in Virginia ($35,914 average AGI)
2.63% relocated from other states ($19,452 average AGI)
Bedford County:
2.63%
Virginia average:
4.24%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.7 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 9.8
Births per 1000 population in Bedford County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 7.7 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 7.7
Deaths per 1000 population in Bedford County
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 8.5 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 4.3
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Bedford County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 9,985 (8,394 aged, 1,591 disabled) Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 9% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 5%
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 960.390 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 727.570 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 1.53
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 10.74 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 30.63
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 4.6
Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 132.6. This is more than state average.
Mechanisms of suicide:
Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
Firearm - 89.2
Other - 43.4
Household type by relationship:
Households: 68,389
In family households: 59,912 (16,038 male householders, 4,280 female householders)
17,025 spouses, 18,513 children (16,904 natural, 519 adopted, 1,090 stepchildren), 1,311 grandchildren, 347 brothers or sisters, 452 parents, 400 other relatives, 1,176 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 8,477 (3,518 male householders (2,866 living alone)), 3,629 female householders (3,151 living alone)), 1,330 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 287 (225 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 10,205 2-persons, 4,394 3-persons, 3,455 4-persons, 1,513 5-persons, 505 6-persons, 246 7-or-more-persons.
97.2% of residents of Bedford County speak English at home.
1.1% of residents speak Spanish at home (58% speak English very well, 13% speak English well, 26% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
1.1% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (84% speak English very well, 14% speak English well, 1% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.5% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (51% speak English very well, 33% speak English well, 15% speak English not well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (100% speak English very well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $268,154,000 ($4204 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $15,471,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $187,186,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $39,112,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $365,000 Federal grants: $23,205,000 Federal procurement contracts: $11,278,000 ($4,889,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $7,008,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $944,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $37,520,000 Federal Government insurance: $15,901,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 3,225
Here:
49 per 1000 residents
State:
70 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 2,582
Here:
40 per 1000 residents
State:
40 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +135
Here:
+2 per 1000 residents
State:
+18 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +4,235
Here:
+65 per 1000 residents
State:
+14 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Bedford County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 1.44 millions of gallons per day (10% from ground, 90% from surface)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.1
State:
6.6
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.7
State:
4.3
Year house built
2005 or later: 1,045
2000 to 2004: 3,011
1990 to 1999: 8,112
1980 to 1989: 6,459
1970 to 1979: 5,824
1960 to 1969: 2,138
1950 to 1959: 1,515
1940 to 1949: 905
1939 or earlier: 1,941
Rooms in houses/apartments in Bedford County, Virginia
61% of Bedford County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 30% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 69% lived in Virginia.
Bedford County:
60.7%
State average:
53.8%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 41708
Northeast: 5983
Midwest: 3283
South: 6885
West: 1147
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $140,500
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit:
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Bedford County
#18 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#25 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of births per 1000 residents 1990-1999 to 2000-2003 (pop 50,000+)"
#27 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most dentists per 100,000 population in 1998"
#27 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most dentists per 100,000 population in 1998 (pop. 50,000+)"
#33 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of births per 1000 residents 2000-2003 (pop 50,000+)"
#34 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 2000-2003 (pop. 50,000+)"
#37 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most general practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005 (pop. 50,000+)"
#41 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 (pop. 50,000+)"
#47 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest decrease in the number of infant deaths per 1000 residents 1990-1999 to 2000-2003 (pop. 50,000+)"
#49 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest ground withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#70 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
#72 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest surface withdrawal of fresh water for public supply (pop. 50,000+)"
#99 on the list of "Top 101 counties with highest percentage of residents voting for Bush (Republican) in the 2004 Presidential Election, pop. 50,000+"
44.0 years
37.0 years
(43.8%)
(56.2%)
, Botetourt County 
, Campbell County 
, Franklin County 
, Pittsylvania County 
, Roanoke County 
, Rockbridge County 
, Lynchburg city 
.
