Bedford County, Tennessee

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Bedford County, Tennessee
Bedford County Tennessee Courthouse.jpg
Bedford County courthouse in Shelbyville
Map of Tennessee highlighting Bedford County
Location in the U.S. state of Tennessee
Map of the United States highlighting Tennessee
Tennessee's location in the U.S.
Founded December 7, 1807[1]
Named for Thomas Bedford, early settler[2]
Seat Shelbyville
Largest city Shelbyville
Area
 • Total 475 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Land 474 sq mi (1,228 km2)
 • Water 1.2 sq mi (3 km2), 0.2%
Population
 • (2010) 45,058
 • Density 95/sq mi (37/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.bedfordcountytn.org

Bedford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,058.[3] Its county seat is Shelbyville.[4]

Bedford County comprises the Shelbyville, TN Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, TN Combined Statistical Area.

History

The county was created in 1807 when the citizens of Rutherford County living south of the Duck River and the Stones River successfully petitioned the governor to split Rutherford County into two. The new county was named after American Revolutionary War officer Thomas Bedford, who was a large landowner in the area. Once the state's largest and most populous county, Bedford County's size (in terms of area) has been steadily reduced since 1809. The county was pro-Confederate during the Civil War, but Shelbyville was mostly loyal to the Union.

Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest was born in 1821 in Chapel Hill (now in Marshall County).

Texas pioneer William Whitaker Reed was born in Bedford County in 1816.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 475 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

State protected areas

  • Normandy Wildlife Management Area (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1810 8,242
1820 16,012 94.3%
1830 30,396 89.8%
1840 20,546 −32.4%
1850 21,511 4.7%
1860 21,584 0.3%
1870 24,333 12.7%
1880 26,025 7.0%
1890 24,739 −4.9%
1900 23,845 −3.6%
1910 22,667 −4.9%
1920 21,737 −4.1%
1930 21,077 −3.0%
1940 23,151 9.8%
1950 23,627 2.1%
1960 23,150 −2.0%
1970 25,039 8.2%
1980 27,916 11.5%
1990 30,411 8.9%
2000 37,586 23.6%
2010 45,058 19.9%
Est. 2014 46,627 [7] 3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2014[3]
Age pyramid Bedford County[12]

As of the census of 2000, there were 37,586 people, 13,905 households, and 10,345 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile (31/km²). There were 14,990 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.84% White, 11.48% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 7.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,905 households out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,729, and the median income for a family was $33,691. Males had a median income of $25,485 versus $15,673 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,698. About 12.70% of families and 25.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

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Major Highways

See also

References

  1. Timothy Marsh and Helen C. March, "Bedford County," Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture. Retrieved: 31 March 2013.
  2. "Origins of Tennessee County Names," Tennessee Blue Book, 2009–2010, p. 533. Retrieved: 31 March 2013.
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  5. Brochure "William Whitaker Reed House", 1850, Visitor's Center, Salado, Texas
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  12. Based on 2000 census data

External links

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