Bedford County

The cost of living for families in Bedford County, Virginia is lower than the national average.

With one of the lowest cost of living in Virginia, the county is an ideal choice for young professionals and growing families. Here, you’ll spend less on everything from food to housing to healthcare, allowing your paycheck to stretch further.

The savings are substantial: property tax rates in the county are approximately 30% below the national average, and auto insurance rates are 20% below the national average. This means that whether you’re saving for your dream home or paying down student loans, here you’ll have more money in your pocket for the things that matter.

Jobs here are also abundant, with an average household income of $77,644. Find stable employment with renowned companies like Georgia Pacific, Cintas, and Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital, and others, and enjoy opportunities in everything from advanced manufacturing to healthcare to professional services.

The combination of lower expenses and strong employment opportunities in Bedford County means you can build a career here without sacrificing quality of life for your family or breaking the bank on basic necessities.

The Bedford County Public School system includes 19 accredited K–12 schools serving more than 10,000 students, giving families a range of well-regarded options. A strong concentration of quality schools and healthcare exists in family-friendly neighborhoods across Forest, VA and the town of Bedford. At the elementary level, Big Island Elementary, located along the James River, and Forest Elementary both offer highly-regarded early education options in suburban settings.

For older students, Jefferson Forest High School in Forest and Liberty High School in Bedford stand out, offering Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, Early College, and Career & Technical Education programs, along with internship opportunities for seniors. The Town of Bedford also features the Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center, adding another layer of STEM-focused learning.

Higher education is accessible, too, with a campus of Central Virginia Community College offering more than 130 classes to over 500 students.

For healthcare, Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital has also earned strong patient satisfaction marks and national recognition for safety and care quality. They offer a full range of services, including outpatient surgery and rehabilitation, and their 24-hour  emergency room serves more than 16,000 patients annually.

If you love the outdoors, Bedford County is your ultimate playground. One of the county’s (and the state’s) major draws is Smith Mountain Lake Park and its 500 miles of shoreline perfect for sailboating, kayaking, wakeboarding, tubing, and fishing.

Prefer a view from the top? Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill, the three mountains collectively known as the Peaks of Otter, offer breathtaking vistas and access to the legendary Appalachian Trail.

For everyday activity, the county features four regional park sites of up to 250 acres each. These spots are packed with multi-use fields, outdoor courts, and playgrounds, plus an extensive network of trails designed for bikers, hikers, and trail runners.

Beyond the trails, you’ll find a vibrant arts and history scene. Many talented artisans and craftsmen call this area home, and you can explore an abundance of galleries and working studios around Bedford. The region is also rich in heritage, serving as the site of the National D-Day Memorial and Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, the third president’s beloved personal retreat.