Bedford County
TN · Pop. 51,291 · Mixed County
Bedford County sits in Tennessee across 474 square miles, home to 51,291 people at 108.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, haylage. A median home price of $255,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F and average winter lows of 29.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 197-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
At a glance
Bedford County, TN is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $255k
- Property tax
- 0.5%
- Growing season
- 197 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 56.3"
- Broadband
- 90.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital, 3.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Bedford County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Bedford County?
- Bedford County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.5°F, and average winter lows of 29.8°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $255,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 90.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Tennessee
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The closest counties to Bedford County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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