District 4
RANK #588 / 996 NAT · #14 / 37 VA · POP 79,761
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 scores 40/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#588). Median household income is $74,773 and job growth is running at -0.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Bedford County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $263,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $939/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Bedford County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted +2.7% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.04% of Bedford County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.