RANK #222 / 996 · POP 79,761 · VA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.9%
Bedford County, Virginia, is often recognized first for the National D-Day Memorial, a significant landmark honoring the sacrifices of World War II, particularly the "Bedford Boys" who suffered heavy losses on D-Day. Located in the Piedmont region at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the county is situated between the cities of Lynchburg (30 minutes east) and Roanoke (40 minutes west), with US Route 460 connecting them. This positioning allows for commuting to both metropolitan areas. The community offers a sparse suburban feel, with natural beauty including the Peaks of Otter and Smith Mountain Lake, providing extensive outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, fishing, and boating.
Life in Bedford County attracts a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, many of whom own their homes. The public schools are above average, and the county maintains a low cost of living compared to national averages. While historically agricultural, the economy has diversified. Recent economic developments include investments in site development for business and technology centers, and the county actively supports sectors such as manufacturing, nuclear energy, and wireless communications. Agriculture and tourism also remain important economic drivers.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Bedford Solar PV Park I
Orsted Wind Power North America (now owned by Virginia Electric and Power)
|
$70M | Operating |
|
Solarix Solar Module Manufacturing Facility
Solarix
|
$63M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bedford County has a Boom Town Index score of 78/100, ranking #222 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $74,773, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Bedford County is $263,900 with median rent at $939/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2833, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +2.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.04% of Bedford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.