Bedford County, Virginia Income Statistics
Bedford County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
B
Bedford County Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Bedford County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $78,883 | $93,527 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $57,281 | $68,139 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.1% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 11.4% | 18.3% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 9.3% | 17.7% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Bedford County is about 16% lower than in Virginia. Income has been growing slower in Bedford County (4.1%/yr) than in Virginia (4.3%/yr).
About 11% of adults in Bedford County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Virginia average of 18%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Bedford County, Virginia grew by 52.1% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $78,883 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Bedford County
| Metric | Bedford County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.532 | 0.544 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $67,910 | $78,585 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $52,052 | $62,626 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.4% | 20.3% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Bedford County, it is 0.532, lower than Virginia's 0.544, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 30% more than women's income in Bedford County, Virginia. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $555,030 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bedford County, Virginia has narrowed from about 29% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2011, and was narrowest at 19% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,234 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Bedford County | Virginia Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.8% | 18.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,183 people are unemployed in Bedford County, Virginia.
The average commute time in Bedford County is 23 minutes, about the same as in Virginia.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Bedford County, Virginia has fallen from 6.1% to 3.1% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 6.9% in 2014 and fell as low as 2.9% in 2022.
Bedford County, VA Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
How Bedford County, VA compares with the 2 counties closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford County, VA | 81,013 | $78,883 #2/3 | 4.1%/yr #1/3 | 3.1% #2/3 | 0.532 #3/3 |
| Botetourt County, VA | 34,003 | $81,753 | 3.6%/yr | 2.4% | 0.515 |
| Campbell County, VA | 55,757 | $65,286 | 4.0%/yr | 3.7% | 0.511 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Bedford County, Virginia has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Virginia, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Bedford County, Virginia.
How Rich Is Bedford County, Virginia?
Bedford County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $78,883, about 16% lower than the Virginia average of $93,527.
Are incomes growing in Bedford County, Virginia?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Bedford County, Virginia rose 52%, from $51,872 to $78,883. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Virginia as a whole: +52% against +55%.
What was the median household income in Bedford County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Bedford County, Virginia was $77,391, up 3% from $74,798 in 2022. The Virginia median that year was $91,420.
What was the median household income in Bedford County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Bedford County, Virginia was $67,951. By 2024 it had risen 16% to $78,883.
How strong is the job market in Bedford County, Virginia?
Unemployment in Bedford County, Virginia is only 3.1%, well below the Virginia rate of 4.1%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Bedford County, Virginia?
The Gini coefficient in Bedford County is 0.532. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Bedford County, Virginia?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Bedford County, Virginia has narrowed from about 29% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 30% in 2011, and was narrowest at 19% in 2018. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,234 since 2009.
Analyze any area in the US
Get local demographics for any address, aggregated by drive time or radius, on the interactive map.
Explore the map →