Bedford County, Tennessee
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| Image:Map of Tennessee highlighting Bedford County.png Counties in Tennessee | |
| County seat | Shelbyville |
| Largest city | Shelbyville |
| Area —Total —Land —Water, % | 1,230 km² (475 mi²) 1,227 km² (474 mi²) 3 km² (1 mi²), 0.25% |
| Population —Total (2000) —Density | 37,586 31/km² (79/mi²) |
| Established | December 3, 1807 |
| Time zone | Central : UTC-6/-5 |
Bedford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2000, the population is 37,586. Its county seat is Shelbyville6. The county was created in 1807 when the citizens of Rutherford County living south of the Duck River and the Stones River successfully petitioned the governor to split Rutherford County into two. The new county was named after revolutionary war soldier Thomas Bedford. Once the state's largest and most populous county, Bedford County was progressively reduced in size since 1809. Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest was born in Chapel Hill (now in Marshall County) in 1821.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,230 km² (475 mi²). 1,227 km² (474 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.25% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 37,586 people, 13,905 households, and 10,345 families residing in the county. The population density was 31/km² (79/mi²). There were 14,990 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (32/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.84% White, 8.48% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.73% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 7.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,905 households out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,729, and the median income for a family was $40,691. Males had a median income of $28,485 versus $20,673 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,698. 13.10% of the population and 9.70% of families were below the poverty line. 15.90% of those under the age of 18 and 17.80% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
