Bedford County Health Data

Bedford County, Virginia

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

72/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.0 yr

State avg 75.1 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.6%

State avg 7.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

75

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

125

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.5%

State avg 18.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

15.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 74.9 per 100K

Dentists

10.0

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

18.7

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Bedford County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBedfordState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity36.7%37.9%37.6%1.2 pts better than state
Diabetes10.1%11.7%11.2%1.6 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure30.4%34.3%33.5%3.9 pts better than state
Depression25.0%24.3%24.1%0.7 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBedfordState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking13.6%15.3%16.3%1.7 pts better than state
Binge Drinking17.2%15.8%17.8%1.4 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.4%25.8%27.0%1.4 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBedfordState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.7%77.2%74.9%1.5 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)67.7%63.2%57.3%4.5 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.7%76.2%73.3%2.5 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBedfordState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.0%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration36.6%38.1%37.3%1.5 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Bedford County nationally on dental visit (past year).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Bedford County Primary Care Ratios Lead National Medians

Health data brief for Bedford County, Virginia.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Primary care provider availability in Bedford County stands at 75 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. This clinical care ratio is the county's most distinctive metric relative to national norms. Other health data shows a life expectancy of 77.0 years, which matches the national average and is higher than the state average of 75.1 years. About 15.5% of residents report poor or fair health, lower than the national figure of 17%. The uninsured rate is 7.6%, compared to the state average of 7.9%. For mental health, the county has 125 providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. These data points provide a statistical overview of local healthcare access and outcomes. Access the CDC County Health Rankings.

Get Care in Bedford County, Virginia

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital

ER
5/5
(540) 586-2441
1613 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Bedford County, VA?
Bedford County has a health score of 72/100, rated "Average." It ranks #33 out of 133 counties in Virginia (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Bedford County?
Life expectancy in Bedford County is 77.0 years. The Virginia state average is 75.1 years, making Bedford County above the state average.
How does Bedford County health compare to the Virginia average?
Bedford County's health score of 72/100 is above the Virginia average of 56/100. Life expectancy is 77.0 years vs. the state average of 75.1 years. The uninsured rate is 7.6% vs. 7.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Bedford County?
Key health factors for Bedford County include: life expectancy (77.0 years), uninsured rate (7.6%), and primary care physician access (75:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 125:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bedford County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 72/100 ("Average"), Bedford County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.0 years. 7.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Bedford County healthier than the Virginia average?
Bedford County's health score of 72/100 exceeds the Virginia average of 56/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.