District 6
RANK #278 / 996 NAT · #8 / 33 TN · POP 50,533
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Bell Buckle, a small town within Bedford County, is known for its annual RC-MoonPie Festival and as the home of The Webb School, a historic preparatory institution. Located in south-central Tennessee, Bedford County is approximately 50 miles southeast of Nashville, making commutes to the larger city feasible for some residents. The community offers a blend of pastoral countryside with rolling hills and river bottoms, with the scenic Duck River, one of Tennessee's most biologically diverse rivers, winding through the county. Outdoor recreation opportunities include fishing and boating on the Duck River and at Coy Gaithers/Bedford Lake, along with hiking trails in state parks like Henry Horton. Life in Bedford County often appeals to families and those seeking a quieter, more rural setting. The public school system, Bedford County Schools, serves over 8,800 students across 17 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. The local economy is seeing new investments, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure. Recent projects include a new TCAT campus and an MTSU Aerospace facility, alongside ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Shelbyville, including a Riverview District project along the Duck River.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Nearest Green Distillery Expansion (Project Parcel 26)
Nearest Green Distillery
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Duksan Electera America, Inc. Manufacturing Facility
Duksan Electera America, Inc.
|
$95M | Planned |
|
Vanderbilt I Solar Farm
Silicon Ranch Corporation
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Bedford County Higher Education Center (TCAT Shelbyville)
Tennessee Board of Regents (TCAT Shelbyville)
|
$45M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, Bedford County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.8%, and median household income stands at $59,955 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TN.
Housing in Bedford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $221,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $863/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Bedford County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.8% clip. Home values shifted +0.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.56% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Bedford County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.