Small-town market profile · Indiana
Bedford, IN area market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in the Bedford area, each scored against other small-town markets.
- Population, 2025
- 45,568
- +1.2% since 2020
- Households
- 19,135
- Median household income
- $66,468
- +24.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $175,000
- Jobs located here
- 12,745
- Highest market score
- 86
- Auto repair and car care, #9 of 538 scored small-town markets
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Bedford area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Bedford area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 45,568 people live in the Bedford area, in 19,135 households. Population estimates put the population change in the Bedford area from 2020 to 2025 at +1.2%, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). The median household income in the Bedford area is $66,468 a year, 18% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 24.0% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in the Bedford area spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 124, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (59).
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Bedford area are for auto repair and car care businesses (86), auto repair shops (85) and sit-down restaurants (84). The Bedford area ranks #9 of 538 scored small-town markets for auto repair and car care businesses.
The Bedford area is made up of one county, Lawrence County. For its number of households, the Bedford area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pet grooming and boarding businesses (58% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for spas and skin care studios (55% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Bedford area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Bedford area with other small-town markets for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among small-town markets | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto repair and car care | 86 | #9 of 538 | 66 | 34.5 | $343K | 128 | 16 |
| Auto repair shops | 85 | #10 of 538 | 37 | 19.3 | $612K | 138 | 13 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 84 | #9 of 538 | 56 | 29.3 | $1.2M | 182 | 16 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 84 | #16 of 538 | 110 | 57.5 | $615K | 166 | 43 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 83 | #5 of 529 | 8 | 4.2 | $8.5M | 228 | 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 83 | #9 of 387 | 6 | 3.1 | $3.8M | 122 | 3 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 78 | #21 of 507 | 11 | 5.7 | $6.2M | 149 | 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 77 | #29 of 538 | 26 | 13.6 | $4.2M | 124 | 8 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 74 | #63 of 537 | 22 | 11.5 | $3.1M | 101 | 22 |
| Car washes and detailing | 72 | #67 of 441 | 9 | 4.7 | $2.5M | 100 | Under 3 |
| Convenience stores | 70 | #85 of 529 | 13 | 6.8 | $8.4M | 107 | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | 69 | #67 of 504 | 10 | 5.2 | $1.7M | 198 | 3 |
| Veterinarians | 69 | #71 of 398 | 6 | 3.1 | $2.4M | 90 | 4 |
| Chiropractors | 67 | #78 of 426 | 10 | 5.2 | $2.5M | 104 | 4 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 67 | #100 of 458 | 10 | 5.2 | $2.5M | 140 | 21 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 66 | #80 of 538 | 57 | 29.8 | $305K | 143 | 12 |
| Pizza | 66 | #109 of 520 | 17 | 8.9 | $4M | 78 | 22 |
| Hair salons | 65 | #93 of 538 | 35 | 18.3 | $496K | 115 | 7 |
| Barbershops | 65 | #100 of 377 | 7 | 3.7 | $2.5M | 132 | Under 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 65 | #133 of 536 | 28 | 14.6 | $1.2M | 140 | 10 |
| Gas stations | 64 | #117 of 536 | 27 | 14.1 | $2.2M | 91 | 27 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 64 | #133 of 526 | 16 | 8.4 | $1.6M | 158 | 13 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 63 | #144 of 538 | 117 | 61.1 | $213K | 140 | 49 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 63 | #154 of 536 | 20 | 10.5 | $1.7M | 136 | 10 |
| Grocery stores | 61 | #146 of 506 | 12 | 6.3 | $9.1M | 98 | 7 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 60 | #116 of 378 | 7 | 3.7 | $2M | 101 | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | 60 | #117 of 365 | 6 | 3.1 | $491K | 72 | 5 |
| Child care and preschools | 55 | #191 of 454 | 10 | 5.2 | $653K | 65 | 5 |
| Pet businesses | 53 | #243 of 527 | 28 | 14.6 | $522K | 59 | 4 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 52 | #213 of 481 | 12 | 6.3 | $1.8M | 108 | 21 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 52 | #258 of 535 | 24 | 12.5 | $593K | 90 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 48 | #199 of 399 | 9 | 4.7 | $2.4M | 82 | 14 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 48 | #226 of 400 | 9 | 4.7 | $2.8M | 88 | 6 |
| Home repair trades | 48 | #294 of 526 | 24 | 12.5 | $2M | 81 | 25 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 45 | #107 of 177 | 5 | 2.6 | Index only | 128 | Under 3 |
| Gyms | 45 | #311 of 506 | 16 | 8.4 | $890K | 68 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 42 | #358 of 533 | 32 | 16.7 | Index only | 144 | 12 |
| Real estate | 42 | #368 of 536 | 45 | 23.5 | Index only | 128 | 16 |
| Pet stores | 41 | #153 of 220 | 6 | 3.1 | $2.4M | 54 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | 41 | #191 of 288 | 7 | 3.7 | $6.8M | 80 | Under 3 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 38 | #364 of 476 | 15 | 7.8 | $3.2M | 66 | 16 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 37 | #301 of 387 | 11 | 5.7 | $1.3M | 52 | Under 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 37 | #384 of 537 | 32 | 16.7 | $1.1M | 88 | 23 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 2.1 | Index only | 24 | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 2.1 | $4.3M | 260 | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 2.1 | Index only | 113 | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.6 | $7.2M | 71 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.6 | $8.3M | 345 | 5 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 1.6 | $7.5M | 301 | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.0 | $17.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.0 | $23.7M | Too few | 9 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.0 | $17.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.5 | $22.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.5 | $14.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 7 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in the Bedford area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $22.6M | $1,183 | 124 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $58.5M | $3,056 | 118 |
| Food away from home | $67.7M | $3,538 | 87 |
| Groceries | $109.6M | $5,728 | 91 |
| Personal care products and services | $17.4M | $908 | 90 |
| Child care and other personal services | $6.5M | $341 | 59 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $14.2M | $744 | 76 |
| Medical and dental services | $24.9M | $1,301 | 101 |
| Pets | $14.6M | $764 | 84 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $34.5M | $1,805 | 88 |
| Vehicle insurance | $35.5M | $1,854 | 95 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $47.3M | $2,473 | 82 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $21.7M | $1,132 | 80 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $250.4M | $13,088 | 79 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Bedford area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 45,568+1.2% since 2020
- Households
- 19,135
- Median age
- 42.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 81%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.1
- Land area
- 449 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 100
- Median household income
- $66,468+24.0% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $82,010
- Median home value
- $175,000
- Jobs located here
- 12,745
- Daytime population
- 38,519Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Bedford area?
These figures cover the whole small-town market. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Bedford area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Bedford area 1
- Lawrence County, IN45,102 people
Other markets based in Indiana 12
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area2,130,055 people
- Fort Wayne, IN metro area455,416 people
- South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area324,560 people
- Evansville, IN metro area270,494 people
- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area226,805 people
- Elkhart-Goshen, IN metro area207,132 people
- Terre Haute, IN metro area168,719 people
- Bloomington, IN metro area162,569 people
- Muncie, IN metro area112,280 people
- Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area111,917 people
- Kokomo, IN metro area83,752 people
- Columbus, IN metro area83,536 people
Questions
How fast is the Bedford, IN area growing?
Population estimates put the Bedford area at 45,568 people in 2025, up 1.2% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 19,135 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 24.0%, before inflation.
How much do households in the Bedford, IN area spend?
Households in the Bedford area spend about $250.4M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $109.6M on groceries and $67.7M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Bedford area runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 124, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (59).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Bedford, IN area?
Of the business types scored in the Bedford area, auto repair and car care businesses (86), auto repair shops (85) and sit-down restaurants (84) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For auto repair and car care businesses, that ranks #9 of 538 scored small-town markets.
How does the Bedford, IN area compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in the Bedford area is $66,468, 18% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.2% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $175,000, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pet grooming and boarding businesses (58% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for spas and skin care studios (55% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. A small-town market is a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people and the county or counties tied to it by commuting. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 43 of the 56 business types have a score in the Bedford area, each ranked against other small-town markets.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Bedford area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in the Bedford area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Bedford area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.