The Bedford Commercial Historic District encompasses most of the central business district of Bedford, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

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5 on the National Register · #70 in IAHistoric places →

Know Bedford

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Bedford

City in Iowa, USA

1855Established

1,508Population

1.6 sq miArea

1,129 ftElevation

Bedford is a city in Taylor County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,508 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Taylor County. Lake of Three Fires State Park is located several miles northeast of Bedford.

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From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code50833

Area code712

Living in Bedford

Housing in Bedford

$116K▲ 20% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Bedford home is worth about $116,000, up 20% in a year, 52% below the Iowa typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Bedford

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Most working residents leave Bedford for work: only 18% work in town. The top destinations are Clarinda (11%), Maryville (6%) and Lenox (5%). Half commute less than 24 miles.

Clarinda

11%

Maryville, MO

Lenox

Creston

18%Work in townlive and work in Bedford 24 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 438Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Bedford →

Health in Bedford

C⁺

Health Grade C+

Healthier than 41% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 63% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Iowa

1better than IA·6worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 25 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▼ 6 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

80.6%More adults treating high blood pressureIA 77.8% · better 8.6%More adults with COPDIA 6.9% · worse

Care nearby

Clarinda Regional Health CenterClarinda · 17.7 mi · ER · rural critical access

Bedford ClinicBedford · 0.4 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Bedford · CMS · HRSAHealth in Bedford →

Natural hazards in Bedford

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 73% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌵 Drought🌡️ Heat waves

5Does Bedford flood?paid flood claims since 1979 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Bedford

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Bedford →

Climate in Bedford

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Bedford has cold winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 18 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

36° / 17°Winter

62° / 40°Spring

84° / 62°Summer

64° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Bedford get?About 18 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 15, with the last in spring around Apr 24.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.0° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Bedford →

Schools in Bedford

All Bedford schools →

A⁺

School Grade A+

The public schools Bedford’s kids attend outperform 98% of Iowa’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictBedford Comm School DistrictSchools2

Bedford Elementary School A+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 269 students Bedford High School AHigh · Grades 6–12 · 245 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within IA. Ratings are from neighbors.