RANK #385 / 996 · POP 50,533 · TN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.2%
Bell Buckle, a small town within Bedford County, is known for its annual RC-MoonPie Festival and as the home of The Webb School, a historic preparatory institution. Located in south-central Tennessee, Bedford County is approximately 50 miles southeast of Nashville, making commutes to the larger city feasible for some residents. The community offers a blend of pastoral countryside with rolling hills and river bottoms, with the scenic Duck River, one of Tennessee's most biologically diverse rivers, winding through the county. Outdoor recreation opportunities include fishing and boating on the Duck River and at Coy Gaithers/Bedford Lake, along with hiking trails in state parks like Henry Horton. Life in Bedford County often appeals to families and those seeking a quieter, more rural setting. The public school system, Bedford County Schools, serves over 8,800 students across 17 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. The local economy is seeing new investments, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure. Recent projects include a new TCAT campus and an MTSU Aerospace facility, alongside ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Shelbyville, including a Riverview District project along the Duck River.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Nearest Green Distillery Expansion (Project Parcel 26)
Nearest Green Distillery
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Duksan Electera America, Inc. Manufacturing Facility
Duksan Electera America, Inc.
|
$95M | Planned |
|
Vanderbilt I Solar Farm
Silicon Ranch Corporation
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Bedford County Higher Education Center (TCAT Shelbyville)
Tennessee Board of Regents (TCAT Shelbyville)
|
$45M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Bedford County has a Boom Town Index score of 61/100, ranking #385 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $59,955, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Bedford County is $221,200 with median rent at $863/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.271, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.56% of Bedford County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.