Population47,480 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Historic Routes Through A Mountain County
Bedford County, PennsylvaniaBedford anchors its namesake county, where routes across Pennsylvania’s mountains have repeatedly shaped local development. Fort Bedford, the borough’s early history and later highway connections provide a clear framework for exploring a place whose civic story is closely tied to travel. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 47,480 residents in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 1,012 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Bedford County at a Glance
Population47,480 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatBedford
Largest Municipality (2025 estimate)Bedford township
Established1771 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP Code LookupUSPS address lookup
Total Area, Including Water1,016.876 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Roads & Traffic511PA travel updates
Telephone Area CodesPUC area-code map
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Bedford County
Bedford County
Bedford County was created from Cumberland County in 1771 and named for Fort Bedford. The borough incorporated in 1795. Earlier trails and the Forbes Road corridor connected the area with movement westward, while the Pennsylvania Turnpike later renewed its role on a major east–west route through the state. The repeated importance of travel routes gives the county a consistent geographic theme across very different eras. Military, civic and modern highway histories can be connected without collapsing their distinct purposes.
Use Bedford's road history as a theme for a focused outing. The fort, borough and later highway era belong to different chapters, so local interpretation can help connect them without assuming that every historic route remains visible or accessible today. A town walk paired with one interpretive stop can make the transportation sequence easier to follow. Present roads and historic alignments may differ, so use current maps for the actual journey.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Fort Bedford, the borough's early history and later highway connections provide a clear framework for exploring a place whose civic story is closely tied to travel.
Community History
The borough incorporated in 1795. Earlier trails and the Forbes Road corridor connected the area with movement westward, while the Pennsylvania Turnpike later renewed its role on a major east–west route through the state.
Explore Locally
The fort, borough and later highway era belong to different chapters, so local interpretation can help connect them without assuming that every historic route remains visible or accessible today.
Follow the routes that carried a mountain community's story.
A Closer Look
Bedford County
Places and perspectives from Bedford County
Bedford County Wire
Bedford County & Pennsylvania News
Includes Pennsylvania statewide reporting; stories may cover other counties.Photo CreditsWITF News
Analysis: PA-10 debate between Perry, Stelson
WITF’s news team sat down and talked about what the candidates revealed during Wednesday night’s debate. WITF’s reporters…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Bedford County
Stories from every corner of Bedford County.
Analysis: PA-10 debate between Perry, Stelson
WITF’s news team sat down and talked about what the candidates revealed during Wednesday night’s debate. WITF’s reporters…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Scott Perry and Janelle Stelson Debate Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District
aired; October 15, 2026 On The Spark, WITF’s news team breaks down the debate between Republican U.S. Representative…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Habitat for Humanity Plans Four Affordable Homes on Vacant Harrisburg Lots
aired; October 15, 2026 On The Spark, we’ll talk with Sharon Chatman-Lester, executive director of Habitat for Humanity…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Want to be spooked? Here are 5 haunted places in Central Pa.
Central Pennsylvania has a rich history – and plenty of ghost stories to go with it.
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Penn State scraps Flock cameras on campus
This story was originally published by WPSU. Penn State is not renewing its agreement with Flock Safety and…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government Resources
Bedford County Government
Official county services and offices
Pennsylvania Government
Commonwealth public services
Pennsylvania Election Services
Voter information and elections
Pennsylvania Open Records
Government transparency and records
Pennsylvania Department of State
Licensing and state records
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Bedford El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 3639 Business Route 220, Bedford, PA 15522. 814-623-4221.
Chestnut Ridge MS – Middle; grades 03-07. 3281 Valley Road, Fishertown, PA 15539. 814-839-4195.
Everett Area El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-04. 165 E 1st Ave, Everett, PA 15537. 814-652-9114.
HOPE for Hyndman Charter School – Other; grades KG-12. 130 School Drive, Hyndman, PA 15545. 814-842-3918.
Northern Bedford Co El Sch – Elementary; grades PK-05. 217 NBC Dr, Loysburg, PA 16659. 814-766-2221.
Tussey Mountain EL – Elementary; grades PK-04. 1110 Mifflin St, Saxton, PA 16678. 814-635-2934.
Bedford SHS – High; grades 09-12. 330 E John St, Bedford, PA 15522. 814-623-4250.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Upmc Bedford Memorial – Acute Care Hospitals. 10455 Lincoln Highway, Everett, PA 15537. 814-623-6161.
Public Safety
Pennsylvania State Police
State police and public safety
PA Megan’s Law Registry
Official safety registry
PA Crime Victims
Crime victim resources
PA Emergency Management Agency
Emergency preparation
PA 211
Local safety referrals
Emergency Services
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
Disaster preparedness
ReadyPA
Emergency planning
National Weather Service
Weather warnings
FEMA
Federal emergency resources
PA 211
Assistance referrals
State Parks
Pennsylvania State Parks
Find nearby parks
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Public land information
Pennsylvania State Forests
State forest recreation
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Fishing and boating
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Wildlife and outdoor access
Trails
Explore PA Trails
State trail maps
Pennsylvania DCNR
Public trails and parks
TrailLink
Mapped rail trails
Pennsylvania State Parks
Hiking trails
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Public game land guidance
Utilities
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Consumer protection and utility oversight
PA 211
Utility assistance referrals
PA Department of Human Services
LIHEAP heating support
Pennsylvania One Call
Utility location before digging
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Water and environmental safety
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Bedford County Federated Library System – Admin Unit – 240 South Wood Street, Bedford, PA 15522. 814-623-5010.
Everett Free Library – 137 East Main St, Everett, PA 15537. 814-652-5922.
Saxton Community Library – 315 Front St, Saxton, PA 16678. 814-635-3533.
Hyndman-Londonberry Pub Lib – 161 Clarence St., Hyndman, PA 15545. 814-842-3782.
Courts
Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System
State court information
UJS Public Portal
Court dockets
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Civil legal aid
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Legal services information
PA Courts Forms
Court information and forms
DMV
Pennsylvania — Find a Location
Pennsylvania — Title and Registration
Pennsylvania — Licenses & Photo IDs
Transportation
PennDOT
State highway guidance
511PA
Road conditions
Pennsylvania Public Transit Options
Transit systems
Amtrak
Train service
PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services
Driving and registration
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Plan Your Bedford County Visit
Find places to go, compare activities and make the most of your time here.
Local Questions
Bedford County: Places, Plans & Practical Answers
Start with these 11 answers, then find 5 more planning questions below the discovery lists.
Old Bedford Village is an outdoor living-history setting with reconstructed buildings and seasonal demonstrations. Fort Bedford Museum is an exhibit-based visit about the fort and local history. Choose the village for a longer outdoor history outing or the museum for a more compact stop.
Old Bedford Village: Explore reconstructed buildings and demonstrations of early community life; check the seasonal opening calendar. Fort Bedford Museum: See exhibits about the fort and Bedford’s history in a museum visit.
Shawnee State Park: Walk beside Shawnee Lake or pack a picnic near Schellsburg; park entry is free, while rentals and camping cost extra. Blue Knob State Park: Choose a mountain trail and views of the surrounding ridges; match the route to your group’s hiking ability.
Shawnee State Park: Walk beside Shawnee Lake or pack a picnic near Schellsburg; park entry is free, while rentals and camping cost extra. Blue Knob State Park: Choose a mountain trail and views of the surrounding ridges; match the route to your group’s hiking ability. Free access does not include purchases, rentals or separately ticketed activities.
Jean Bonnet Tavern: Have a meal in a historic tavern west of Bedford; reservations are useful for a planned dinner. LIFeSTYLE Next Door: Choose an Italian-inspired lunch stop in downtown Bedford.
Kerr’s: Browse home goods, garden gifts and clothing on South Juliana Street. Cabin Shoppe at Jean Bonnet Tavern: Combine a tavern meal with a visit to its gift shop.
Juli’s Wearable Art: Browse clothing, jewelry and accessories on East Pitt Street. Kerr’s: Look for apparel alongside home and garden merchandise in downtown Bedford.
Fort Bedford, the borough’s early history and later highway connections provide a clear framework for exploring a place whose civic story is closely tied to travel. Use the local museums and historic sites above to explore that story in more detail.
Everett Free Library – 137 East Main St, Everett, PA 15537. 814-652-5922. Saxton Community Library – 315 Front St, Saxton, PA 16678. 814-635-3533. These contacts come from the supplied local-library directory; call for current opening hours, children’s programs and visitor services.
Bedford El Sch – Elementary; grades KG-05. 3639 Business Route 220, Bedford, PA 15522. 814-623-4221. Chestnut Ridge MS – Middle; grades 03-07. 3281 Valley Road, Fishertown, PA 15539. 814-839-4195. These are selected contacts from the supplied school directory. Contact the school or district to confirm attendance boundaries and enrollment; a nearby school is not necessarily the assigned school.
Bedford is the county seat recorded in the supplied Bedford County information. Use the Government tab in local resources to locate the department you need; offices may have different addresses and appointment arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Your Fun
Explore Bedford CountyEat, shop, and explore nearby.
Kids’ Fun
- Old Bedford Village — Explore reconstructed buildings and demonstrations of early community life; check the seasonal opening calendar.
- Fort Bedford Museum — See exhibits about the fort and Bedford’s history in a museum visit.
Restaurants
- Jean Bonnet Tavern — Have a meal in a historic tavern west of Bedford; reservations are useful for a planned dinner.
- LIFeSTYLE Next Door — Choose an Italian-inspired lunch stop in downtown Bedford.
Shopping & Retail
- Kerr’s — Browse home goods, garden gifts and clothing on South Juliana Street.
- Cabin Shoppe at Jean Bonnet Tavern — Combine a tavern meal with a visit to its gift shop.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Juli’s Wearable Art — Browse clothing, jewelry and accessories on East Pitt Street.
- Kerr’s — Look for apparel alongside home and garden merchandise in downtown Bedford.
Outdoor Fun
- Shawnee State Park — Walk beside Shawnee Lake or pack a picnic near Schellsburg; park entry is free, while rentals and camping cost extra.
- Blue Knob State Park — Choose a mountain trail and views of the surrounding ridges; match the route to your group’s hiking ability.
Free Things to Do
- Shawnee State Park — Walk beside Shawnee Lake or pack a picnic near Schellsburg; park entry is free, while rentals and camping cost extra.
- Blue Knob State Park — Choose a mountain trail and views of the surrounding ridges; match the route to your group’s hiking ability.
Businesses in This County Guide
More Bedford County Questions
How could I build a short Bedford County outing from these places?
One possible plan is Old Bedford Village, a meal at Jean Bonnet Tavern, and a browse at Kerr’s. These are separate stops; map their addresses and check opening times before deciding whether all three fit your day.
How can I keep a Bedford County day trip inexpensive?
Start with Shawnee State Park and Blue Knob State Park and bring a picnic where permitted. Budget separately for museum or amusement tickets, restaurant meals, parking where charged, rentals and purchases. Check the linked destination’s current fees instead of assuming every activity on its grounds is free.
Where should I check the forecast before visiting Shawnee State Park?
Use the county weather section above for the forecast. For Shawnee State Park, also open the destination’s notices for trail, road or facility closures. A county forecast does not confirm that an individual trail or activity is operating.
What should I confirm before making a special trip to Juli’s Wearable Art?
Use Juli’s Wearable Art to confirm the physical-store address, current opening days and whether the item or fitting you need is available. Some shops list online stock, multiple locations or appointment services, so contact the store about a specific visit.
Where can I find the businesses featured in this Bedford County guide?
The “Businesses in This County Guide” section links to Randy Moyer Auto Glass, Stolzfus Manufacturing. Open a business page for its contact details. A business featured in this guide may serve the county from another location; confirm its address and service area directly.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.