Editing Bedford, Ohio

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Bedford, Ohio
| native_name        = 
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = Bedford Falls (in reference to the town in the movie [[It's A Wonderful Life]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Enjoy Christmas in Bedford Falls tomorrow in Bedford, Ohio |url=http://www.cleveland.com/our-town/index.ssf/2010/12/enjoy_christmas_in_bedford_falls_tomorrow_in_bedford_ohio.html|publisher=Cleveland Plain Dealer|access-date=6 February 2016}}</ref>
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Bedford Historic District, Bedford, Ohio.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Broadway Avenue in Bedford
| image_flag         = Flag of Bedford, Ohio.png
| image_seal         = BedfordOhioSeal.png
| image_shield       = 
| image_map          = Cuyahoga County Ohio incorporated and unincorporated areas Bedford highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 260px
| map_caption        = Location in [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Cuyahoga County]] and the state of [[Ohio]].
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ohio]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Ohio|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Cuyahoga]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 1837 <ref name="bedfordohgov-histm">{{cite web|title=History of Bedford|url=http://www.bedfordoh.gov/site.cfm/Visitors/Historical-Society/Historical-Museum.cfm|publisher=City of Bedford|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>
| established_title2 = Village of Bedford established
| established_date2  = 
| established_title3 = 
| established_date3  = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_land_km2      = 13.83
| area_water_km2     = 0.13
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 13.96
| area_total_sq_mi   = 5.39
| area_land_sq_mi    = 5.34
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.05
| area_water_percent = 0.93
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 12767
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="2023 est">{{cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Ohio: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2023-POP-39.xlsx |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=23 May 2024}}</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 13149
| population_density_km2 = 950.42
| population_density_sq_mi = 2461.44
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -4
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|22|54|N|81|31|48|W|region:US-OH|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 945
| postal_code_type   = Zip code
| postal_code        = 44146
| area_code          = [[Area code 440|440]]
| website            = http://www.bedfordoh.gov
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 39-04878<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1085951<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1085951}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| leader_name        = Stan Koci (D)<ref>{{cite web | title=2024 Elected Officials | url=https://boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/docs/default-source/boe/candidates-page/master-elected-officials-list.xls?sfvrsn=b324beb0_2 | ref={{sfnref | Anon.}} | access-date=2024-08-01}}</ref>
}}

'''Bedford''' is a city in [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio]], United States. The population was 13,149 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is an eastern suburb of [[Cleveland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/cf/1.0/en/place/Bedford%20city,%20Ohio/POPULATION/DECENNIAL_CNT|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=American Fact Finder, Bedford city, OH|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214004741/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/cf/1.0/en/place/Bedford%20city,%20Ohio/POPULATION/DECENNIAL_CNT|archive-date=2020-02-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
The area that is now Bedford and northeastern Ohio was originally inhabited by Native Americans as early as 11,000 years ago. By 1662 the area was declared a part of the Connecticut Colony through royal charter. Much of the colony's land, which extended to the Pacific Ocean, was ceded to the early U.S. government, but a few million acres west of the border of Pennsylvania became what was known as the Western Reserve.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrhs.org/about/wrhs-history/|publisher=[[Western Reserve Historical Society]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=What is the Western Reserve?}}</ref>

Bedford began as part of the [[Connecticut Western Reserve]] in 1797. A large portion of the Western Reserve was sold to the Connecticut Land Company in 1795. Surveying of the land began shortly after and was spearheaded by [[Moses Cleaveland]]. [[Seth Pease]] and [[Amzi Atwater]] surveyed Lot 46, which eventually would become Bedford Township.<ref name="caldwell7">{{cite book |last=Caldwell |first=Janet |date=2012 |title=Images of America: Bedford and Bedford Township|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s18YFVaZDq0C&q=Bedford+and+Bedford+Township|location=Charleston, SC|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=7 |isbn=978-0738593692}}</ref> It was surveyed as township 6, range 11.<ref name=Coates>{{cite web|url=http://history.rays-place.com/oh/cuyahoga/bedford.htm|publisher=The American Historical Society Chicago and New York|access-date=2018-12-27|title=History of Bedford, OH - excerpt from A History of Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland|last=Coates |first=William }}</ref>

The first settlers to the area started to arrive in 1813. Early settlers to the region were drawn to Tinkers Creek and the hardwood forests. Waterfalls on [[Tinkers Creek (Cuyahoga River)|Tinkers Creek]] were ideal for mills, which would power local businesses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedford, Ohio History|url=https://bedfordohiohistory.org/bedford-ohio-history|publisher=Bedford Historical Society|access-date=December 27, 2018}}</ref> The first mill in Bedford Township was built by Adams and Starr in 1815. It was situated at the mouth of Tinkers Creek.<ref>{{cite book |last=Caldwell |first=Janet |date=2012 |title=Images of America: Bedford and Bedford Township|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s18YFVaZDq0C&q=Bedford+and+Bedford+Township|location=Charleston, SC|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=10 |isbn=978-0738593692}}</ref> The first official settler to the area was Elijah Nobles. He settled here in 1810 in the western part of the township on one of the 100 lots surveyed.<ref name=Coates />

More settlers followed, including [[Benjamin Franklin Fitch]], who founded the [[Taylor Chair Company]] in 1816. He began making chairs at his home, which was located at Warrensville Center and Libby Roads in present-day [[Maple Heights, Ohio]]. The company did not close until 2012, making it the longest-running manufacturing company in the Western Reserve area. Fitch made chairs that were considered to be better than others because of his use of pre-shrunk wood that prevented creaking. He is also known for inventing the strap lathe, a tool that would become standard in furniture making.<ref name="TAYLOR CHAIR CO. - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History">{{cite web|title=TAYLOR CHAIR CO. - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History|url= https://case.edu/ech/articles/t/taylor-chair-co|publisher=Case Western Reserve University |access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

Bedford Township was officially founded in 1823 and Township 6 was renamed Bedford Township by [[Daniel Benedict]], originally a native of [[Bedford (town), New York|Bedford, New York]].<ref name="caldwell7"/> The original township covered what today includes Bedford, [[Bedford Heights, Ohio|Bedford Heights]], Maple Heights, [[Oakwood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Oakwood Village]], and [[Walton Hills, Ohio|Walton Hills]].

In 1834, the First Baptist Church was established to help meet the religious needs of the growing population in the area. The first church in Bedford was the First Baptist Church, founded with just 14 original members at the home of Hezekiah Dunham. In 1893, the church moved into its first dedicated building located on the Bedford Commons. The old First Baptist Church is a stone building done in the [[Late Gothic Revival]] style and was designed by architect [[Jacob Snyder]]. In 1968, the First Baptist Church moved to its present location at the corner of Turney Road and West Glendale Avenue. The old stone church still stands though and is owned by the Bedford Historical Society. It currently serves as a community building and a rental hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Purpose - Why We are Here|url=http://www.bedfordfirstbaptist.org/history.html|publisher=Bedford First Baptist Church|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1892 Old Baptist Church (Community Building)|url=http://www.bedfordohiohistory.org/build/church.php|publisher=Bedford Historical Society|access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref>

Bedford became an incorporated village on March 15, 1837.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bedfordheights.gov/about-us/history|publisher=City of Bedford Heights|access-date=2018-12-27|title=History of Bedford Heights }}</ref> In 1837, the population of Bedford Township had grown to be 475 people and at that time, the residents petitioned to become the Village of Bedford, which sits at the geographic center of Bedford Township. At this time, [[Hezekiah Dunham]], who was a prominent and wealthy local business man, and his wife, Clarissa Dunham, donated three acres of land for the village to be able to build a public square as well as other public and religious buildings. The deed for the land stated the property was to be "used as a public square forever."<ref name="bedfordohgov-histm" /><ref name="caldwell7"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Caldwell |first=Janet |date=2012 |title=Images of America: Bedford and Bedford Township|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s18YFVaZDq0C&q=Bedford+and+Bedford+Township|location=Charleston, SC|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=47 |isbn=978-0738593692}}</ref>

In addition to the falls on [[Tinkers Creek (Cuyahoga River tributary)|Tinkers Creek]] and the abundant forests, transportation helped Bedford to grow. Before the roads were even built, Bedford was situated along the main route between [[Pittsburgh]] and [[Cleveland]] and was an important stagecoach stop. Today this is [[Ohio State Route 14|State Route 14]], which runs through town from the northwest to southeast.<ref name="bedfordohgov-histm" />

Transportation became even more important in the area when the [[Ohio and Erie Canal]] opened in 1827 and the [[Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad]] began in 1852. Both of these helped drive more industry to the area, and by 1840 the population of Bedford was 2,021. Another railroad, the [[Connotton Valley Railroad]], opened in 1881.<ref name="casebedford">{{cite web|url=https://case.edu/ech/articles/b/bedford|publisher=[[Case Western Reserve University]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Encyclopedia of Cleveland History - Bedford }}</ref>

In 1927, the Bedford Municipal Hospital was built. The original hospital still stands, though it has been heavily added onto since it was first constructed. It is now operated as a branch of [[University Hospitals of Cleveland]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Caldwell |first=Janet |date=2012 |title=Images of America: Bedford and Bedford Township|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s18YFVaZDq0C&q=Bedford+and+Bedford+Township|location=Charleston, SC|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=39 |isbn=978-0738593692}}</ref>

The village of [[Maple Heights, Ohio|Maple Heights]] left Bedford Township in 1915 and in 1932 Maple Heights achieved city status.<ref name="Maple Heights History">{{cite web|title=Maple Heights Splits from Bedford Township|url=http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/ohio/maple-heights|publisher=CityTownInfo.com|access-date=1 March 2014}}</ref>

In 1932, the Village of Bedford adopted a city manager government and charger and became the City of Bedford.<ref name="casebedford" /> As the village grew, many industries developed in Bedford and new businesses opened. Some of the important businesses in Bedford were manufacturing companies:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bedfordohiohistory.org/history-of-companies-in-bedford|publisher=Bedford Historical Society|access-date=2018-12-27|title=History of Companies in Bedford }}</ref>

* The [[Marble & Shattuck Chair Company]] operated in Bedford from 1885 to 1894, when it moved to Cleveland. 
* The [[B.L. Marble Chair Co.]] made wooden chairs from 1894. 
* Founded in 1903, the [[Franklin Oil and Gas Company]] made engine oil and similar products. 
* The [[Best Foundry Co.]], founded in 1905 manufactured metal castings, especially stoves.
* The [[McMyler-Interstate Company]], established in 1910, was the largest manufacturer in Bedford. It made the largest crane in the world in 1919.
* Founded in 1922, the [[Walker China Company]] made marbles before manufacturing china. 
* The [[Harper Aircraft Manufacturing Company]] built monoplanes beginning in 1930. 
* In 1938, the [[Lewis Welding and Engineering Corporation]] opened and was an important supplier for the military during World War II.

The first car dealerships opened on Broadway Avenue in the early 1950s and formed the Bedford Automile Dealers Association in 1956, formally creating the first [[Bedford Automile]]. The Bedford Automile Dealers Association was created to not only give the car dealerships in the area a unified voice for working with the city but to also create a group who would actively help to improve the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Bedford Automile|url=http://www.bedfordoh.gov/site.cfm/Businesses/BEDFORD-AUTOMILE.cfm|publisher=The Bedford Automile|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123113607/http://bedfordoh.gov/site.cfm/Businesses/BEDFORD-AUTOMILE.cfm|archive-date=2016-01-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On February 20, 1951, the northeast corner of Bedford Township broke off from the City of Bedford and incorporated to become the village of [[Bedford Heights, Ohio]]. Bedford Heights achieved city status in 1961.<ref>{{cite book |last=Caldwell |first=Janet |date=2012 |title=Images of America: Bedford and Bedford Township|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s18YFVaZDq0C&q=Bedford+and+Bedford+Township|location=Charleston, SC|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=66 |isbn=978-0738593692}}</ref>

On February 20, 2023, an [[2023 Bedford explosion|explosion]] occurred at a I. Schumann & Co. copper alloy plant in Bedford, causing a large fire and catastrophic damage to the facility and numerous cars in a [[Parking lot|lot]] across the street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Catherine |last2=Scofield |first2=Drew |date=2023-02-20 |title=More than a dozen injured; 1 killed in explosion at metal manufacturing facility near Bedford |url=https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/firefighters-responding-to-explosion-in-bedford |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=News 5 Cleveland [[WEWS-TV|WEWS]] |language=en}}</ref> According to authorities, 14 people were hospitalized for burn injuries, including a 46 year old factory worker, who later succumbed to them after being [[Hospital admission|admitted]] in [[critical condition]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=2023-02-21 |title=One Dead, a Dozen Injured in Explosion at Ohio Metal Plant |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/bedford-metal-fire-explosion.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228055102/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/bedford-metal-fire-explosion.html |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=2023-02-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Geography==
Bedford is a first ring suburb to the southeast of Cleveland. The city is bounded by [[Maple Heights, Ohio|Maple Heights]] to the north and west, [[Walton Hills, Ohio|Walton Hills]] and [[Oakwood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Oakwood]] to the south,  and [[Bedford Heights, Ohio|Bedford Heights]] to the east.

According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of {{convert|5.40|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|5.35|sqmi}} (or 99.07%) is land and {{convert|0.05|sqmi}} (or 0.93%) is water.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/2010_place_list_39.txt 
 |title=2010 Census U.S. Gazetteer Files for Places – Ohio 
 |publisher=United States Census 
 |access-date=2012-10-19 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://timetravel.mementoweb.org/memento/2010/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/2010_place_list_39.txt 
 |archive-date=2016-07-02 
}}</ref>

The boundaries of the city of Bedford include part of the [[Bedford Reservation]]. The reservation includes [[Tinkers Creek (Cuyahoga River tributary)|Tinker's Creek]], which flows through a gorge that has been listed as a [[National Natural Landmark]]. The Great Falls of Tinker's Creek are within the city limits of Bedford.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 1853
|1860= 1098
|1870= 828
|1880= 768
|1890= 1043
|1900= 1486
|1910= 3791
|1920= 4582
|1930= 6814
|1940= 7390
|1950= 9105
|1960= 15223
|1970= 17552
|1980= 15003
|1990= 14822
|2000= 14214
|2010= 13074
|2020= 13149
|estyear=2023
|estimate=12767
|estref=<ref name="2023 est"/>
|footnote=Sources:<ref name=Census1910>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/36894832v3ch3.pdf|work=1910 U.S. Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=Census1930>{{cite web|title=Population: Ohio|url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch08.pdf|work=1930 US Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Census1960">{{cite web|title=Number of Inhabitants: Ohio|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/37749282v1p37_ch02.pdf|date=1960|work=18th Census of the United States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="Census1990">{{cite web|title=Ohio: Population and Housing Unit Counts|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-37.pdf|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="GR2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bedfordcityohio,US/POP010220|title=Bedford city, Ohio|website=Census.gov|access-date=June 28, 2022}}</ref>
}}

96.2% spoke [[American English|English]], 1.3% [[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish]], and 0.9% [[Polish language|Polish]] at home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=39&place_id=4878&cty_id= |title=Bedford, Ohio |quotation=Source: Census 2000, Summary File 3 : STP 258 |website=Mla.org |access-date=2016-11-17}}</ref>

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Bedford city, Ohio – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bedford city, Ohio|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p004&g=160XX00US3904878&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bedford city, Ohio|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3904878&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bedford city, Ohio|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US3904878&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|11,145
|6,593
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,252
|78.41%
|53.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |39.94%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|2,498
|5,417
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,835
|17.57%
|41.43%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |51.98%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|22
|20
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25
|0.15%
|0.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|153
|112
|style='background: #ffffe6; |103
|1.08%
|0.86%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.78%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|2
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7
|0.01%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|28
|24
|style='background: #ffffe6; |40
|0.20%
|0.18%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|214
|282
|style='background: #ffffe6; |491
|1.51%
|2.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.73%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|152
|256
|style='background: #ffffe6; |396
|1.07%
|1.96%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.01%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''14,214'''
|'''13,074'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''13,149'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2013-01-06}}</ref> of 2010, there were 13,074 people, 6,265 households, and 3,346 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2443.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 6,951 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1299.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 53.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 41.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 6,265 households, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.6% were non-families. 41.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 41.9 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 14,214 people, 6,659 households, and 3,682 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,653.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,062 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,318.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 79.01% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 17.63% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]], 0.17% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.08% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.47% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.62% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 6,659 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.1 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,943, and the median income for a family was $47,142. Males had a median income of $36,524 versus $27,851 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,076. About 5.5% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
In addition to the important commercial districts of the Automile and Historic District, Bedford is home to a few large companies that employ many residents in the area. Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a company owned by Danish Novo Holdings A/S,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xellia.com/about-us|publisher=Xellia|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Xellia at a glance|last=Coates |first=William }}</ref> opened a manufacturing facility in Bedford in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2017/11/xellia_pharmaceuticals_at_old_2.html|publisher=[[Cleveland Plain Dealer]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Xellia Pharmaceuticals, at old Ben Venue in Bedford, hiring, will start manufacturing in 2018|last=Perkins |first=Olivera}}</ref>

Art of Beauty is another big employer in Bedford. The beauty supply company is most well known for its Zoya brand of nail polishes and nail care products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zoya.com/content/category/Contact_Us.html|publisher=Zoya|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Contact Us}}</ref>

Nature Stone Flooring is a local company that makes epoxy stone flooring materials. The epoxy resin used is patent pending and the company, founded in 1989, is the largest maker of this type of flooring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.naturestone.com/about-us/|publisher=Nature Stone|access-date=2018-12-27|title=About Nature Stone}}</ref>

Another large employer in Bedford is the [[University Hospitals of Cleveland|University Hospitals]] Bedford Medical Center. The medical center staffs 193 physicians and numerous other healthcare workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uhhospitals.org/locations/uh-bedford-medical-center|publisher=[[University Hospitals]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=UH Bedford Medical Center}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
There are two main commercial districts in Bedford, the [[Bedford Automile|Automile]] and the Bedford Historic District. The Automile, which lies along Rockside Road and Broadway, was formally established in 1956 to promote the interests of the auto dealerships and to help these companies work together to give back to the community.

The Bedford Automile is the largest collection of new and used automotive dealerships in Ohio. There are currently 24 dealerships. Together the Automile companies have raised money for a number of charitable causes, including breast cancer awareness, Cleveland's homeless population, and Bedford High School scholarships.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bedfordautomile.com/|publisher=[[Bedford Automile|Bedford Automile Association]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Bedford Automile }}</ref>

The Historic District is located downtown and is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/oh/cuyahoga/districts.html|publisher=American Dreams Inc|access-date=2018-12-27|title=OHIO - Cuyahoga County - Historic Districts}}</ref> The Bedford Baptist Church, Hezekiah Dunham House, and Holsey Gates House are included on the Register. The area is approximately bounded by Broadway, Columbus, Franklin, and Willis. The District also includes the Bedford Public Square and several other historic buildings: the Gates Handyside House, Franklin Victorian House, Moody House, and numerous commercial buildings dating to the 1890s to 1920s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bedfordohiohistory.org/additional-historic-buildings|publisher=Bedford Historical Society|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Additional Historic Structures In Downtown Bedford}}</ref>

==Transportation==
One of the main roads through Bedford is [[Ohio State Route 14|Ohio State Route 14 (OH-14)]]. It runs northwest to southeast and follows the original stagecoach route between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Within Bedford city limits, OH-14 is known as Broadway Avenue.<ref name="bedfordohgov-histm" /> Other main roads in Bedford include:

* Columbus Road runs from the northeast to the Bedford Reservation.
* Northfield Road (OH-8) runs north and south on the east side of the city.
* Center Road runs north and south through the center of town. 
* Rockside Road runs east and west along the north edge of town.

Bedford is served by the [[Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority]]. Bus route 76: Broadway – Turney travels between downtown Cleveland and the Southgate Transit Center in Maple Heights with several stops in downtown Bedford. Route 90F: Broadway – Libby travels between downtown Cleveland and Oakwood Village with stops in Bedford along Northfield Road.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.riderta.com/facilities/southgate|publisher=RTA|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Southgate Transit Center}}</ref>

==Education==
Bedford is served by the [[Bedford City School District]], which also serves the communities of Bedford Heights, Oakwood, and Walton Hills. There are approximately 3,400 students in the district, which covers an area of 22 square miles. There are six schools:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bedford.k12.oh.us/|publisher=[[Bedford City School District]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Bedford City School District}}</ref>

* Glendale Primary School
* Central Primary School
* Columbus Intermediate School
* Carylwood Intermediate School
* Heskett Middle School
* [[Bedford High School (Ohio)|Bedford High School]]

In Bedford, 86.3 percent of students are enrolled in the public school system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2017/01/percentage_of_children_enrolle.html|publisher=[[The Plain Dealer]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Percentage of children enrolled in private, public schools for each Ohio city, census estimates|last=Exner |first=Rich}}</ref> There are only a few private school and private special education options in Bedford.

Safely Home offers residential and outpatient programs for young people with special education needs and behavioral challenges. The Safely Home School provides specialized educational programming for students who have not been successful in traditional schools. Education Alternatives, non-profit educational agency, serves at-risk students in several Cleveland-area locations, including Bedford.

The [[Cuyahoga County Public Library]] Southeast Branch is located in Bedford.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Branches/Southeast.aspx|publisher=[[Cuyahoga County Public Library]]|access-date=2018-12-27|title=Southeast Branch}}</ref> Educational youth services include free, after school mentoring and homework assistance. The branch also hosts Aspire Greater Cleveland services, which include adult literacy, GED, English as a second language, and job skills training.

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
* [[Mozelle Alderson]], [[classic female blues]] singer<ref name="bare">{{cite book| first1= Bob| last1= Eagle| first2= Eric S.| last2= LeBlanc| year= 2013| title= Blues - A Regional Experience| publisher= Praeger Publishers| location= Santa Barbara| page=254 | isbn= 978-0313344237}}</ref>
* [[Halle Berry]], actress
* [[Eric Beverly]], football player for [[Detroit Lions]]
* [[Chris Chambers]], [[American football|football]] player for [[Kansas City Chiefs]]
* [[Lou Diamond]], marine
* [[Mike Easler]], Major League Baseball player and [[Coach (baseball)|coach]]
* [[Lee Evans (American football)|Lee Evans]], football player for [[Buffalo Bills]]
* [[Elmer Flick]], Major League Baseball player
* [[Henry A. Lathrop]], Wisconsin state legislator and physician
* [[Oliver Ocasek]], Ohio state legislator
* [[Augustus Herman Pettibone]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]
* [[Tyvis Powell]], football player for [[BC Lions]]
* [[Phoebe Robinson]], comedian and writer
* [[Rodger Saffold III]], offensive guard for [[Buffalo Bills]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/players/rodger-saffold/|title=Rodger Saffold Stats, News and Video - G|website=NFL.com|access-date=16 April 2023}}</ref>
* [[Tim Taylor (newscaster)|Tim Taylor]], Cleveland-area newscaster and radio personality
* [[Charles G. Thomas]], Wisconsin state legislator
* [[Archibald Willard]], [[Painting|painter]] of ''The Spirit of '76''
{{Div col end}}

==Surrounding communities==
{{Geographic Location
| Northwest = [[Maple Heights, Ohio|Maple Heights]]
| Northeast = [[Bedford Heights, Ohio|Bedford Heights]]
| Center    = Bedford
| Southwest = [[Walton Hills, Ohio|Walton Hills]]
| Southeast = [[Oakwood, Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Oakwood]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bedford, Ohio}}
* [http://www.bedfordoh.gov City of Bedford]
* [http://www.bedfordohiohistory.org/ Bedford Historical Society]

{{Cuyahoga County, Ohio}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bedford, Ohio| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ohio]]
[[Category:Cities in Cuyahoga County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1837]]
[[Category:Cleveland metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1837 establishments in Ohio]]