Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Bedford has a population of around 2,558 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Bedford has decreased by ▼ -0.08%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,560 | 2,558 | --0.08% |
2026 Population Projection
Bedford's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 2,558 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Bedford Population Trend & Context
Bedford had a 2021 census population of 2,558 — a decline of 2 (▼ 0.08%) people from the 2,560 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has remained relatively stable over this period, reflecting broader trends in mid-sized Quebec towns. The town's median age of 50.4 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Bedford is around 1,225 while the female population is around 1,330.
Of the 2,558 total population in Bedford, the largest gender is female with around 1,330 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,225 | 1,330 | -7.89% |
Is Bedford a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Bedford compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Quebec, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Bedford Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Bedford compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Bedford | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,600 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 50.4 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.5% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 3.5% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Bedford has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 9.80% of the total population. The town median age is 50.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 110 9.00% | 135 10.20% | 18.52% | 250 9.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 105 8.60% | 105 7.90% | 0.00% | 215 8.40% |
| 65 to 69 years | 95 7.80% | 95 7.10% | 0.00% | 195 7.60% |
| 70 to 74 years | 85 6.90% | 105 7.90% | 19.05% | 190 7.40% |
| 35 to 39 years | 80 6.50% | 75 5.60% | 6.25% | 155 6.10% |
| 10 to 14 years | 65 5.30% | 85 6.40% | 23.53% | 150 5.90% |
| 40 to 44 years | 75 6.10% | 70 5.30% | 6.67% | 145 5.70% |
| 15 to 19 years | 70 5.70% | 55 4.10% | 21.43% | 130 5.10% |
| 45 to 49 years | 65 5.30% | 65 4.90% | 0.00% | 130 5.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 50 4.10% | 75 5.60% | 33.33% | 125 4.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 55 4.50% | 70 5.30% | 21.43% | 125 4.90% |
| 5 to 9 years | 60 4.90% | 60 4.50% | 0.00% | 120 4.70% |
| 25 to 29 years | 65 5.30% | 55 4.10% | 15.38% | 120 4.70% |
| 0 to 4 years | 55 4.50% | 50 3.80% | 9.09% | 110 4.30% |
| 50 to 54 years | 55 4.50% | 50 3.80% | 9.09% | 110 4.30% |
| 85 years and over | 45 3.70% | 65 4.90% | 30.77% | 110 4.30% |
| 80 to 84 years | 40 3.30% | 60 4.50% | 33.33% | 100 3.90% |
Broader Age Groups
If the town's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 57.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.90% and 14.60%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Bedford are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 59.60% | 55.30% | 57.20% |
| 65 years and over | 25.70% | 30.10% | 27.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.10% | 14.30% | 14.60% |
Population of Bedford by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Bedford is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Bedford is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Bedford are Canadian, which accounts for 32.45% of the total population, followed by French (28.37%), Irish (9.39%), Caucasian (White) (6.73%), and French Canadian (5.92%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Bedford include Scottish, English, German, Italian, and Belgian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 32.49% | 32.28% | 32.45% |
| French | 28.27% | 28.35% | 28.37% |
| Irish | 7.59% | 11.02% | 9.39% |
| Caucasian (White) | 7.17% | 6.30% | 6.73% |
| French Canadian | 5.49% | 6.30% | 5.92% |
| Scottish | 5.91% | 3.94% | 4.90% |
| English | 5.49% | 3.94% | 4.49% |
| German | 4.22% | 4.33% | 4.49% |
| Italian | 1.69% | 2.76% | 2.45% |
| Belgian | 2.95% | 1.97% | 2.45% |
Indigenous Identity in Bedford
About 2.24% of Bedford's population (55 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 97.76% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 0 people (0.00% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Bedford's population profile.
About 3.5% of Bedford's population are immigrants (85 people).
The top countries of origin for Bedford's immigrant population are Germany (15), United States of America (10), France (10), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Germany | 15 |
| United States of America | 10 |
| France | 10 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
99.0% of Bedford's residents (2,425 people) are Canadian citizens, and 1.0% are not.
By generation status, 3.9% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 4.9% are second generation, and 91.0% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 580 of Bedford's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 21.65% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.20% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.05%, 3.85%, and 2.25%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 535 | 21.65% |
| 2 persons | 425 | 17.20% |
| 3 persons | 125 | 5.05% |
| 4 persons | 95 | 3.85% |
| 5 or more persons | 55 | 2.25% |
Family and Household Structure in Bedford
Of census families in Bedford, 79.9% are couple families and 20.1% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
42.9% of households in Bedford are one-person households, 41.3% are couple-family households, 10.1% are one-parent-family households, and 0.8% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 530 | 42.9% |
| Couple-family households | 510 | 41.3% |
| One-parent-family households | 125 | 10.1% |
| Multigenerational households | 10 | 0.8% |
Income in Bedford
Analyzing income distribution in Bedford can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Bedford is $34,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Bedford population or around 340 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 325 and 260 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Bedford's median household income is $55,600, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Bedford's median household income is 28,400 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Bedford
This data sheds light on the distribution of Bedford residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
56.00% or most of the Bedford population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 24.30% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 19.30% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 300 | 380 | 680 | 56.00% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 140 | 155 | 295 | 24.30% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 160 | 80 | 235 | 19.30% |
Below national average 15.2% of Bedford's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Bedford
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Bedford. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Bedford is at 6.69% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 52.47% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.69% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Bedford, 29.2% worked full year full time in the reference year, 29.4% worked part year and/or part time, and 41.4% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 620 | 29.2% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 625 | 29.4% |
| Did not work | 880 | 41.4% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Bedford's population (around 70.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 75 men and 85 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 165.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 75 | 85 | 165 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Bedford industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Bedford is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Bedford has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 14%, followed by Retail trade at 13%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 135 | 70 | 17% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 160 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 60 | 90 | 13% |
| Construction | 80 | 10 | 8% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 65 | 15 | 7% |
| Wholesale trade | 55 | 20 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 10 | 60 | 6% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 25 | 30 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 15 | 30 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 30 | 20 | 4% |
| Educational services | 25 | 20 | 4% |
| Public administration | 35 | 0 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 30 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10 | 15 | 2% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 10 | 15 | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 1% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Bedford residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Bedford: Manufacturing (17%), Health care and social assistance (14%), Retail trade (13%)
Top occupation categories in Bedford: Sales and service occupations (25%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (25%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 435 | 470 | 900 | 80.70% |
| Worked at home | 50 | 60 | 110 | 9.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 65 | 30 | 90 | 8.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.90% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Bedford residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Bedford residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Bedford spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 49.20% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 22.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 19.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 4.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Bedford shed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Bedford's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
French is the most spoken official language in Bedford. About 1,940 people living in the town speak French, 545 people speak English, 30 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 1,940 |
| English | 545 |
| English and French | 30 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 51.4% of Bedford's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 8.8% know English only, 39.8% know French only, and 0.2% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 220 | 8.8% |
| French only | 1,000 | 39.8% |
| English and French | 1,290 | 51.4% |
| Neither English nor French | 5 | 0.2% |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| French | 75.5% | 75.9% |
| English | 20.3% | 20.5% |
| Non-official languages | 1.2% | 0.2% |
Religion
Bedford is predominantly Christian. About 1,890 of its population is Christian (925 males and 965 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 77.1% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Bedford
Schools
Parks
Libraries
Community Centres
Green Spaces in Bedford
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Parc municipal | Parks | 1.4 ha |
| Halte du Canton | Parks | 0.0 ha |
| Parc Héritage | Parks | 17.3 ha |
| Parc de l'Église | Parks | 0.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Bedford
- Dunham 14.8 km · 3,599 people
- Farnham 18.1 km · 10,149 people
- Cowansville 21.2 km · 15,234 people
- Sutton 29.0 km · 4,548 people
- Saint-Cesaire 32.2 km · 5,972 people
- Bromont 34.7 km · 11,357 people
- Lac-Brome 37.0 km · 5,923 people
- Marieville 37.2 km · 11,332 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Bedford
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Bedford has a population of 2,558 people, making it the 196th town in Quebec. The population declined slightly from 2,560 in 2016, a decrease of 2 people or 0.08%. The town has a population density of 604.3 people per km² across a land area of 4.23 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Bedford's population declined by 0.08% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 2,560 to 2,558 people, a loss of 2 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 50.40 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (43.3%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Bedford has a population density of approximately 604.30 people per square kilometre.
Bedford covers a land area of approximately 4.23 km².
The median age of the population in Bedford is 50.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Bedford is Canadian.
The median household income in Bedford is $55,600, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Bedford.
Christian is the predominant religion in Bedford.
According to the 2021 Census, 2.2% of Bedford's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
99.0% of Bedford's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 20.1% of census families in Bedford, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.8% of all households in Bedford, per the 2021 Census.
51.4% of Bedford's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Bedford, 29.2% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.