Population55,273 (2025 est.)
A County Center With A Resilient Record
Bedford County, TennesseeShelbyville anchors Bedford County in Tennessee, whose early formation and courthouse history provide a starting point for local research. The state archives identify several disruptions to the courthouse over time, making the survival and location of records an important part of exploring the past. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 55,273 residents in Bedford County, Tennessee, on July 1, 2025.
Bedford County at a Glance
Population55,273 (2025 est.)
County SeatShelbyville
Largest CityShelbyville
Established1807 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water475 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area CodesVaries by community
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Discover Bedford County
Bedford County
Bedford County was formed in 1807 from Rutherford County and additional territory, with Shelbyville as its seat. A tornado affected the courthouse in 1830, followed by fires in 1863 and 1934. Those events make the documentary history more complicated than a simple founding date and explain why researchers may need several sources. The courthouse disruptions are part of the county's institutional history, not evidence that every record was lost. A careful inquiry follows particular collections and dates rather than making a blanket assumption.
Begin with Shelbyville's county-seat history and the state archives' local-history bibliography. For a family or property inquiry, confirm which records survived and where they are held. Published community histories can provide context alongside original documents rather than replacing them. Start with a narrow topic and note the date ranges of available collections. The courthouse timeline can then guide further questions without replacing a direct check of the records themselves.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
The state archives identify several disruptions to the courthouse over time, making the survival and location of records an important part of exploring the past.
Community History
Bedford County was formed in 1807 from Rutherford County and additional territory, with Shelbyville as its seat. A tornado affected the courthouse in 1830, followed by fires in 1863 and 1934.
Explore Locally
Begin with Shelbyville's county-seat history and the state archives' local-history bibliography. For a family or property inquiry, confirm which records survived and where they are held.
Discover the community story through the records that preserve it.
A Closer Look
Bedford County
Places and perspectives from Bedford County
Bedford County headlines via Google News
Earl Wayne Hurt Obituary (1948 - 2026) - Shelbyville, TN - Bedford County Post - Legacy | Obituary
Earl Wayne Hurt Obituary (1948 - 2026) - Shelbyville, TN - Bedford County Post Legacy | Obituary
Read the Story Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Bedford County
Stories from every corner of Bedford County.
Earl Wayne Hurt Obituary (1948 - 2026) - Shelbyville, TN - Bedford County Post - Legacy | Obituary
Earl Wayne Hurt Obituary (1948 - 2026) - Shelbyville, TN - Bedford County Post Legacy | Obituary
Oct 8, 2026 • 2 min read
Two Victims Identified as Bedford County Child Exploitation Investigation Continues - Arrests Made - WGNS Radio
Two Victims Identified as Bedford County Child Exploitation Investigation Continues - Arrests Made WGNS Radio
Aug 20, 2026 • 2 min read
This Tennessee Town Feels Like a Real-Life Schitt’s Creek - Only In Your State
This Tennessee Town Feels Like a Real-Life Schitt’s Creek Only In Your State
Aug 18, 2026 • 2 min read
Bedford County Faces a $2 Million School Funding Hit After Appeals Court Sides with Shelbyville Ending Payments - WGNS Radio
Bedford County Faces a $2 Million School Funding Hit After Appeals Court Sides with Shelbyville Ending Payments WGNS Radio
Aug 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Child exploitation investigation leads to multiple arrests, 2 victims identified - WZTV
Child exploitation investigation leads to multiple arrests, 2 victims identified WZTV
Aug 11, 2026 • 2 min read
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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
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.
Cartwright Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 1753 Fairfield PIKE, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-684-3284.
Shelbyville Central High School – High; grades 09-12. 401 Eagle BLVD, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-684-5672.
Harris Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 570 Eagle BLVD, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-684-5195.
Community Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 3480 Highway 41a, Unionville, TN 37180. 931-685-1417.
Cascade Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 2998 Fairfield PIKE, Wartrace, TN 37183. 931-389-0031.
Eakin Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 1100 Glenoaks RD, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-684-7852.
East Side Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 421 Elliott ST, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-684-7112.
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.
Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 2835 Hwy 231 North, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-685-5433.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
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.
Shelbyville-Bedford County Public Library – 220 S. Jefferson Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160. 931-684-7323.
Courts
DMV
Tennessee — Title and Registration
Tennessee — Renewing Your License or Identification
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
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.
Get to Know Bedford County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Bedford County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
55,273 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
474.790 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Board of Commissioners, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Emergency Services, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Sheriff’s Office, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Solid Waste, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Veterans Services, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Courts, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Tennessee resources: Address Change; Title and Registration; Renewing Your License or Identification. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
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
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Bedford CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Bedford County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Bedford County