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CITY

Bedford

Iowa · 1,474 residents (2025 est.) · 1.605 sq mi
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The short version

Bedford has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $60,781. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 284 residents. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $96,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,336
−18%since 2000
from 1,620 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
832 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 1,009 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.1
−3%since 2000
from 42.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,474 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Bedford
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,781
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,125 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,693
+114%since 2000
from $14,313 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.2%
+26.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.0%
−3.8 ptssince 2000
from 13.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.390
−5%since 2010
from 0.411 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade25.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,800
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$764
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $357 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
21.7% rent
Vacancy rate
17.7%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.4%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
32.0%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.6
+15%since 2000
from 1.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bedford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.4%(1,578)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(27)
Asian0.1%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.6%(74)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.9%(1,228)
Black0.7%(10)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(46)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.9%(52)
Diversity Score19%(254)
Diversity Score
19
+315%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.5%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.1%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 84.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.9 min
+42%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 80.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
20.3%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.3%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
64.4%
+7.6 ptssince 2011
from 56.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
17.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
41.7%
−19.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.8% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.3%
−39.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.3%
−2.9 ptssince 2012
from 17.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.1%
−80.9 ptssince 2013
from 87.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.7%
+15.6 ptssince 2017
from 73.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
99.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 97.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2016
from 1.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Bedford to nearby cities

BEDFORD VS
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BEDFORD VS
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Home value$154,200+59%
Population71,001+4717%
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BEDFORD VS
Bellevue
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Home value$247,000+155%
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BEDFORD VS
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Income$64,578+6%
Home value$171,800+77%
Population62,680+4152%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bedford, Iowa?

Bedford, Iowa has about 1,336 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bedford, Iowa?

The typical household in Bedford, Iowa earns about $60,781 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bedford, Iowa expensive?

In Bedford, Iowa, the median home is worth about $96,800, and the typical rent is about $764 a month.

How educated are people in Bedford, Iowa?

About 14.5% of adults age 25 and over in Bedford, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bedford, Iowa?

About 10.0% of people in Bedford, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bedford, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Bedford, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 198 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Bedford, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy