Bedford County
VA · Pop. 80,254 · Mixed County
Bedford County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Virginia, spanning 760 square miles with 80,254 residents at a density of 105.6 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, wheat. The median home price is $277,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.46%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F and average winter lows of 27.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bedford Memorial Hospital is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 199-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.46% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Bedford Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Bedford County, VA is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $277k
- Property tax
- 0.46%
- Growing season
- 199 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 45.1"
- Broadband
- 93.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Bedford Memorial Hospital, 2.8 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 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 83.9°F, and average winter lows of 27.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $277,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 93.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Bedford Memorial Hospital is 2.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Virginia Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Virginia
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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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