Bedford County, Pennsylvania Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 45th-largest in Pennsylvania
The population of Bedford County, Pennsylvania is 47,503 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 45th-largest county in Pennsylvania. The median household income is $60,302, the median home value is $172,900, and the median age is 47.5.
The population of Bedford County has declined 4.1% since 2010 (49,697 → 47,643), a -0.30% annualized rate.
47,503
Population
-0.30%
Annual growth
47
People / sq mi
$60,302
Median Income
$172,900
Median Home Value
Bedford County covers 1,012 sq mi of land at 46.9 people per square mile.
About Bedford County, PA
Bedford County is a county in Pennsylvania with a population of 47,503. It ranks #45 among counties in Pennsylvania by population. The median age is 47.5, older than the national median. The population is 49.9% male and 50.1% female.
The median household income in Bedford County is $60,302, below the US median of $74,580. 7.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $172,900, with monthly rent averaging $771. The homeownership rate of 78.1% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Bedford County reflects 16.3% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.9% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.3 minutes each way.
Bedford County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Bedford County had a population of 49,697 in 2010 and 47,643 in 2024, a -4.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 49,697 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.30%.
47,643
Population (2024)
49,697
Population (2010)
49,697
Peak (2010)
-0.30%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 49,697 |
| 2011 | 49,626 |
| 2012 | 49,592 |
| 2013 | 49,317 |
| 2014 | 49,131 |
| 2015 | 48,748 |
| 2016 | 48,592 |
| 2017 | 48,359 |
| 2018 | 48,090 |
| 2019 | 47,913 |
| 2020 | 47,580 |
| 2021 | 47,505 |
| 2022 | 47,395 |
| 2023 | 47,442 |
| 2024 | 47,643 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 96.0% |
| Black or African American | 0.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
47.5
Median Age
50.1%
Female
49.9%
Male
23.5%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 15.9% · Seniors (65+): 23.5%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $60,302$-15,779 vs state |
| Mean household income | $76,732 |
| Per-capita income | $32,550 |
| Poverty rate | 7.4%-0.7% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 56.3% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Bedford County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.6%
Drive alone
2.1%
Carpool
79.8%
Public transit
6.9%
Work from home
26.3 min
Avg commute
Housing
$172,900$-67,600 vs state
Median home value
$771
Median rent
78.1%
Homeownership rate
23,568
Total housing units
83.9%
Occupied
16.1%
Vacant
21.9%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.4%
With health insurance
85.9%
With broadband internet
18.7%
Foreign-born
8.1%
Veterans (18+)
16.2%
With a disability
97.1%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
90.0%
High School+
16.3%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Bedford County, Pennsylvania has a population of 47,503 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 45th-largest county in Pennsylvania. Population density is 47 people per square mile.
The population of Bedford County has declined 4.1% since 2010 (49,697 → 47,643), a -0.30% annualized rate.
The median household income in Bedford County, Pennsylvania is $60,302, with mean (average) household income of $76,732 and per-capita income of $32,550. 7.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Bedford County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (96.0%), Black or African American (0.8%), Hispanic or Latino (0.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Bedford County, Pennsylvania is 47.5 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.
The median home value in Bedford County is $172,900 and median monthly rent is $771. 78.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 23,568 total housing units, 16.1% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Bedford County, Pennsylvania is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.
Philadelphia is among the largest cities associated with Bedford County, Pennsylvania, with a population of 1,582,432.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.