Bedford, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Bedford is an independent city
located within the confines of Bedford County
in the U.S. state
of Virginia
. It serves as the county seat
of Bedford County
. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 6,222. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
combines the city of Bedford with surrounding Bedford county for statistical purposes. It is part of the Lynchburg
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Bedford is home to the National D-Day Memorial
. (despite the "National" in its name, the memorial is owned and operated by a Non-governmental
, non-profit, education foundation). The United States Congress
warranted that this memorial would be the nation's D-Day
Memorial and President Bill Clinton
authorized this effort in September 1996. President George W. Bush
dedicated this memorial as the nation's D-Day memorial on June 6, 2001. Bedford lost more residents per capita
in the Normandy
landings than any other American community. Nineteen soldiers from Bedford, whose 1944 population was about 3,200, were killed on D-Day
. Three other Bedford soldiers died later in the Normandy campaign. Proportionally this community suffered the nation's severest D-Day losses.
Bedford City and County maintain relationships with 11 communities on the Normandy
Coast of France. One sister city, Trévières
, France, sent Bedford an exact replica
of its own World War I memorial statue
. The face of the statue was damaged in World War II by artillery fire from US forces retaking the town. The Bedford statue also bears these wounds and is erected on the grounds of the National D-Day Memorial
. Bedford is also near Poplar Forest
, the rural retreat of Thomas Jefferson
.
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 transition is expected to begin in July 2013.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²)— 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.
Bedford sits at the feet of the Peaks of Otter
.
of 2000, there were 6,299 people, 2,519 households, and 1,592 families residing in the city. The population density
was 914.5 persons per square mile (353.0/km²). There were 2,702 housing units at an average density of 392.3 per square mile (151.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.33% White, 22.38% Black or African American
, 0.24% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races
, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2005 75.0% of Bedford's population was non-Hispanic whites. 22.7% were African-American. Asians were 0.8% of the population. Latinos were now 0.8% of the population.
In 2000 there were 2,519 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,792, and the median income for a family was $35,023. Males had a median income of $28,668 versus $18,065 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,423. About 15.4% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Ivybridge
, Devon
, England (signed in 2004).
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
located within the confines of Bedford County
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census 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 . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It serves as the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Bedford County
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census 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 . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 6,222. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Economic Analysis
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides important economic statistics including the gross domestic product of the United States. Its stated mission is to "promote a better understanding of the U.S...
combines the city of Bedford with surrounding Bedford county for statistical purposes. It is part of the Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Bedford is home to the National D-Day Memorial
National D-Day Memorial
The National D-Day Memorial is a war memorial located in Bedford, Virginia. It serves as the national memorial for American D-Day veterans. However, its scope is international in that it states, "In Tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944" and commends...
. (despite the "National" in its name, the memorial is owned and operated by a Non-governmental
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
, non-profit, education foundation). The United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
warranted that this memorial would be the nation's D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
Memorial and President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
authorized this effort in September 1996. President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
dedicated this memorial as the nation's D-Day memorial on June 6, 2001. Bedford lost more residents per capita
Per capita
Per capita is a Latin prepositional phrase: per and capita . The phrase thus means "by heads" or "for each head", i.e. per individual or per person...
in the Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
landings than any other American community. Nineteen soldiers from Bedford, whose 1944 population was about 3,200, were killed on D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
. Three other Bedford soldiers died later in the Normandy campaign. Proportionally this community suffered the nation's severest D-Day losses.
Bedford City and County maintain relationships with 11 communities on the Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
Coast of France. One sister city, Trévières
Trévières
Trévières is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Administration:Trévières is part of the communauté de communes de Trévières, which includes 25 communes and has its seat in Formigny....
, France, sent Bedford an exact replica
Replica
A replica is a copy closely resembling the original concerning its shape and appearance. An inverted replica complements the original by filling its gaps. It can be a copy used for historical purposes, such as being placed in a museum. Sometimes the original never existed. For example, Difference...
of its own World War I memorial statue
Statue
A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...
. The face of the statue was damaged in World War II by artillery fire from US forces retaking the town. The Bedford statue also bears these wounds and is erected on the grounds of the National D-Day Memorial
National D-Day Memorial
The National D-Day Memorial is a war memorial located in Bedford, Virginia. It serves as the national memorial for American D-Day veterans. However, its scope is international in that it states, "In Tribute to the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied Forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944" and commends...
. Bedford is also near Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest was Thomas Jefferson's plantation and plantation house in what is now Forest, Virginia, near Lynchburg. He designed it and treated it as a private retreat, working on it from 1806 until his death 20 years later. "It is the most valuable of my possessions," Jefferson once wrote a...
, the rural retreat of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
.
On September 14, 2011, the Bedford City Council voted to transition into a town, ending its independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
status. The supervisors of Bedford County
Bedford County
Bedford County is the name of several counties in the United States:* Bedford County, Pennsylvania* Bedford County, Tennessee* Bedford County, Virginia...
also voted to accept the town of Bedford as part of the county when it loses city status. The transition is expected to begin in July 2013.
Geography
Bedford is located at 37°20′4"N 79°31′22"W (37.334591, -79.522783).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²)— 6.9 square miles (17.9 km²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.
Bedford sits at the feet of the Peaks of Otter
Peaks of Otter
The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, nine miles to the southeast along State Route 43. These peaks are...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,299 people, 2,519 households, and 1,592 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 914.5 persons per square mile (353.0/km²). There were 2,702 housing units at an average density of 392.3 per square mile (151.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.33% White, 22.38% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
In 2005 75.0% of Bedford's population was non-Hispanic whites. 22.7% were African-American. Asians were 0.8% of the population. Latinos were now 0.8% of the population.
In 2000 there were 2,519 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,792, and the median income for a family was $35,023. Males had a median income of $28,668 versus $18,065 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,423. About 15.4% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
Top employers
According to the city's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bedford Memorial Hospital | 335 |
| 2 | Bedford County Public Schools Bedford County Public Schools Bedford County Public Schools is a school district based in Bedford, Virginia, United States. It serves Bedford County, Virginia, United States.-Elementary schools:*Bedford Elementary School *Bedford Primary School*Big Island Elementary School... |
315 |
| 3 | Sam Moore Furniture | 230 |
| 4 | Brooks Food Group | 175 |
| 5 | Bedford Weaving | 150 |
| 6 | Cintas Cintas Cintas Corporation , based in Mason, Ohio, is a publicly traded company that operates more than 400 facilities throughout North America. The company provides specialized services to businesses, including the design and manufacturing of corporate identity uniform programs, entrance mats, restroom... |
130 |
| 7 | Longwood Industries | 125 |
| 8 | Smyth Companies | 120 |
| 9 | Elks National Home Elks National Home The Elks National Home is a retirement home built in 1916 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, who first started the home in 1903. Its property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The listing included 23 contributing buildings, 3 contributing sites, 1... |
85 |
| 10 | Wheelabrator Abrasives | 50 |
International links
Bedford has a Friendship Treaty with: IvybridgeIvybridge
Ivybridge is a small town and civil parish in the South Hams, in Devon, England. It lies about east of Plymouth. It is at the southern extremity of Dartmoor, a National Park of England and Wales and lies along the A38 "Devon Expressway" road...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England (signed in 2004).
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bedford, Virginia
External links
- City of Bedford
- http://www.bedfordartacademy.org/
- http://www.applevalleyhomeplace.com
- http://www.applevalleynurseries.com
- http://grossorchards.com