Bedford County, Virginia

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Bedford County
U.S. county
County of Bedford
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Coordinates:
Country	United States
Seat	Bedford
Area
• Total	769 sq mi (1,990 km2)
• Land	754 sq mi (1,950 km2)
• Water	15 sq mi (40 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	79,962
• Density	100/sq mi (40/km2)
Website	bedfordcountyva.gov

[[Category:{{{state}}} counties]]

Bedford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 79,962. The county seat is the town of Bedford, and the largest community is Forest.

History

Bedford County was established in 1754 from parts of Lunenburg County. It was named in honor of John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, a prominent British statesman. The county has a rich history, including its role in the American Civil War and its agricultural heritage.

Geography

Bedford County is located in the central part of Virginia, bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The county has a total area of 769 square miles, of which 754 square miles is land and 15 square miles is water. The James River forms part of the county's northern boundary.

Adjacent counties

• Amherst County (north)
• Campbell County (east)
• Pittsylvania County (southeast)
• Franklin County (south)
• Roanoke County (west)
• Botetourt County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Bedford County had a population of 79,962. The population density was approximately 106 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races.

Economy

The economy of Bedford County is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The county is known for its dairy farming, beef cattle, and tobacco production. In recent years, there has been growth in the manufacturing sector, particularly in the production of furniture and textiles.

Education

Bedford County is served by Bedford County Public Schools, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to several private schools and is in proximity to higher education institutions such as Liberty University and Lynchburg College.

Transportation

Major highways in Bedford County include U.S. Route 221, U.S. Route 460, and State Route 122. The county is also served by the Lynchburg Regional Airport, which provides commercial air service to the region.

Communities

Towns

• Bedford

Census-designated places

• Forest
• Goode
• Moneta

Unincorporated communities

• Big Island
• Huddleston
• Thaxton

Points of interest

• National D-Day Memorial
• Smith Mountain Lake
• Peaks of Otter

Related pages

• Virginia
• Blue Ridge Mountains
• American Civil War
• James River