Bedford County, Virginia

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Bedford County, Virginia
Bedford VA - county courthouse.jpg
Bedford County Courthouse
Seal of Bedford County, Virginia
Seal
Map of Virginia highlighting Bedford County
Location in the U.S. state of Virginia
Map of the United States highlighting Virginia
Virginia's location in the U.S.
Founded 1754
Named for John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford
Seat Bedford
Largest town Bedford
Area
 • Total 769 sq mi (1,992 km2)
 • Land 753 sq mi (1,950 km2)
 • Water 16 sq mi (41 km2), 2.1%
Population
 • (2010) 68,676
 • Density 97/sq mi (37.26/km²)
Congressional districts 5th, 6th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.bedford.va.us

Bedford County is a United States county located in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its county seat is the town of Bedford, which was an independent city from 1968 until rejoining the county in 2013.[1]

Bedford County was created in 1753 from parts of Lunenburg County, and several changes in alignment were made until the present borders were established in 1786. The county was named in honor of John Russell, an English statesman and fourth Duke of Bedford.

Bedford County is part of the Lynchburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, Bedford's population was 68,676. The county population has nearly doubled since 1980.[2]

History

John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, for whom the county was named

The Piedmont area had long been inhabited by indigenous peoples. At the time of European encounter, mostly Siouan-speaking tribes lived in this area.

Bedford County was established by European Americans on December 13, 1753 from parts of Lunenburg County. Later in 1756, a portion of Albemarle County lying south of the James River was added. The county is named for John Russell, the fourth Duke of Bedford, who was a Secretary of State of Great Britain.[3] In 1782, Campbell County was formed from eastern Bedford County and the county seat was moved from New London to Liberty (now Bedford). Also in 1786, the portion of Bedford County south of the Staunton (Roanoke) River was taken with part of Henry County to form Franklin County.

The town of Bedford became an independent city in 1968, and remained the county seat. On September 14, 2011, the Bedford City Council voted to transition into a town, ending its independent city status. The supervisors of Bedford County also voted to accept the town of Bedford as part of the county when it loses city status. The town of Bedford once more became part of Bedford County on July 1, 2013.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 769 square miles (1,990 km2), of which 753 square miles (1,950 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (2.1%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties and city

National protected areas

State Park

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 10,531 —
1800 14,125 34.1%
1810 16,148 14.3%
1820 19,305 19.6%
1830 20,246 4.9%
1840 20,203 −0.2%
1850 24,080 19.2%
1860 25,068 4.1%
1870 25,327 1.0%
1880 31,205 23.2%
1890 31,213 0.0%
1900 30,356 −2.7%
1910 29,549 −2.7%
1920 30,669 3.8%
1930 29,091 −5.1%
1940 29,687 2.0%
1950 29,627 −0.2%
1960 31,028 4.7%
1970 26,728 −13.9%
1980 34,927 30.7%
1990 45,656 30.7%
2000 60,371 32.2%
2010 68,676 13.8%
Est. 2014 76,583 [6] 11.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[2]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile (31/km²). There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.18% White, 6.24% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 0.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.2% were of American, 15.6% English, 11.0% German and 9.6% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 23,838 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.40% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population's age distribution was: 24.00% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,136, and the median income for a family was $49,303. Males had a median income of $35,117 versus $23,906 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,582. About 5.20% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.30% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Board of Supervisors

District 1: Bill Thomasson (R)

District 2: Curry W. Martin (R)

District 3: Steve Wilkerson (R)

District 4: John Sharp (R)

District 5: Steve Arrington (R)

District 6: Annie Pollard (I)

District 7: Tammy F. Parker (R)

Constitutional Officers

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Cathy C. Hogan (I)

Commissioner of the Revenue: Faye Eubank (I)

Commonwealth's Attorney: Randy C. Krantz (I)

Sheriff: Michael J. "Mike" Brown (R)

Treasurer: Rebecca C. "Becky" Jones (R)

Bedford County is represented by Republicans Ralph K. Smith and Stephen D. "Steve" Newman in the Virginia Senate, Independent Lacey E. Putney and Republicans Kathy J. Byron and T. Scott Garrett in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republicans Robert Hurt and Robert W. "Bob" Goodlatte in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Economy

Historically, Bedford County was an agricultural economy. While agriculture is still an important factor in the county's economy, Bedford County has significant residential development to serve Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Smith Mountain Lake. Tourism and retail are also becoming more significant with some new industry near Forest and New London.

Politics

Presidential Election Results 1960-2012
Year GOP DEM Others
2008 68.2% 24,420 30.7% 11,017 1.1% 393
2004 69.8% 21,925 29.0% 9,102 1.2% 377
2000 65.9% 17,224 31.2% 8,160 2.9% 765
1996 54.1% 11,955 35.2% 7,786 10.7% 2,368
1992 50.6% 10,496 32.7% 6,792 16.7% 3,468
1988 65.3% 10,702 33.0% 5,406 1.7% 274
1984 68.2% 10,371 31.2% 4,754 0.6% 92
1980 55.8% 6,608 39.9% 4,721 4.3% 511
1976 45.3% 4,189 51.5% 4,766 3.1% 291
1972 73.4% 5,286 20.9% 1,501 5.7% 412
1968* 35.8% 2,807 20.1% 1,574 45.1% 3,459
1964 48.1% 3,806 51.5% 4,076 0.4% 32
1960 47.9% 2,911 51.8% 3,150 0.2% 20

*Bedford voted for George Wallace, an Independent for President in 1968.

Attractions

Communities

Town

Unincorporated communities

Notable people

  • Erik Estrada (born March 16, 1949), an American actor, voice actor, and Bedford County, Virginia police officer and deputy sheriff, known for his co-starring lead role in the police drama television series, CHiPs, which ran from 1977 to 1983.

See also

References

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External links

 Botetourt County Rockbridge County Amherst County
Roanoke County City of Lynchburg, Virginia
  Bedford County, Virginia  
Franklin County Pittsylvania County Campbell County

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