Bedford County, Tennessee

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County in Tennessee, United States

Bedford County

General Information
Name
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Settlement Type	U.S. county
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Population
Total	50096
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Standard	UTC
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Bedford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 50,096. Its county seat is Shelbyville. The county was created in 1807 and named after Thomas Bedford, a large landowner in the area.

History

Bedford County was established on December 3, 1807, from parts of Rutherford County. The county was named in honor of Thomas Bedford, a prominent landowner and early settler in the region. The area was originally inhabited by the Cherokee and other Native American tribes before European settlers arrived.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 475 square miles (1,230 km²), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km²) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) (0.3%) is water. The county is part of the Nashville Basin and features rolling hills and fertile farmland.

Adjacent counties

• Rutherford County (north)
• Coffee County (east)
• Moore County (south)
• Lincoln County (southwest)
• Marshall County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 50,096 people, 18,000 households, and 13,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 106 people per square mile (41/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with significant African American and Hispanic communities.

Economy

The economy of Bedford County is diverse, with agriculture, manufacturing, and services playing significant roles. The county is known for its Tennessee Walking Horse industry, which is centered in Shelbyville. Other important sectors include automotive parts manufacturing and food processing.

Education

Bedford County is served by the Bedford County School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Shelbyville.

Communities

City

• Shelbyville (county seat)

Towns

• Bell Buckle
• Wartrace

Unincorporated communities

• Flat Creek
• Normandy
• Raus
• Wheel

Notable people

• Mary Noailles Murfree, a noted author who wrote under the pen name Charles Egbert Craddock.
• John Bell, a politician and presidential candidate in the 1860 election.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bedford County, Tennessee
• List of counties in Tennessee

External links

• Official website