Where is Bedford, Indiana, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: March 21, 2026, 14:20 ET

Where is Bedford, Indiana Located in the United States? Bedford is a city located in the Lawrence County of Indiana, United States. Bedford lies between 38.8612 Degrees North latitudes and -86.4872 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Bedford in Lawrence County, Indiana

Where is Bedford, Indiana

About Map: The map shows the location of Bedford in the state of Indiana, United States. Bedford is a city in Lawrence County, Indiana.

Bedford Map, Indiana, USA

About Bedford Map: This interactive Google Map shows the exact location of Bedford in Indiana, United States. You can zoom in or out, switch to satellite view, and explore nearby cities, roads, and local landmarks around Bedford.

About Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana

Bedford is a city located in Lawrence County in the U.S. state of Indiana, United States. Situated in south-central Indiana, the city serves as the county seat of Lawrence County and is widely known for its long history of limestone quarrying and stone production. Bedford was established in 1825 and was named after Bedford, Virginia. Over time, the city became a major center of the limestone industry, earning the nickname “Limestone Capital of the World” due to the high-quality limestone quarried in the surrounding region.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Bedford is 13,292 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 1,000 people per square mile.

Area and Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bedford covers a total area of approximately 13.40 square miles (about 34.71 square kilometers), including about 13.30 square miles (34.45 square kilometers) of land and about 0.10 square miles (0.26 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Bedford is located in south-central Indiana within Lawrence County and lies approximately 20 miles south of Bloomington. The area features rolling hills, forests, and limestone quarries that have shaped both the landscape and the local economy for generations.

Attractions and Recreation

Bedford offers several cultural attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities related to its natural surroundings and industrial heritage. The Lawrence County Museum of History and Edward L. Hutton Research Library highlight the area’s limestone industry and local history. Nearby parks, lakes, and nature areas provide opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing throughout the region.

Transportation

Bedford is served by major highways including U.S. Route 50 and State Road 37, which provide connections to Bloomington, Seymour, and other communities in southern Indiana. The nearest major airport serving the region is Indianapolis International Airport, located about 75 miles north of the city.

Explore more cities and counties across Indiana or view the complete USA States Map for additional geographic information.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General information referenced from the Official City of Bedford Website.

Most Viewed US Maps

USA MapUSA Region MapUSA Road Map
USA County MapWhere is USA in World Map?US ZIP Code Map
USA Time Zones MapUS State and Capitals MapUSA Physical Map

Bedford, Indiana City Facts

CityBedford
StateIndiana
CountyLawrence County
CountryUnited States
RegionSouth-Central Indiana
Founded1818
Incorporated1825
Total AreaApproximately 12.4 sq mi (32.1 km²)
Land AreaApproximately 12.3 sq mi (31.9 km²)
Water AreaApproximately 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
ElevationApproximately 722 ft (220 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approximately 13,000+
Population (2020 Census)13,292
Population DensityApproximately 1,080 people per sq mi
Time ZoneEastern Time (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST)
ZIP Codes47421
Area Code812
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 50, State Road 37, State Road 58
Public TransitSouthern Indiana Transit System (regional services)
Major AttractionsLawrence County Courthouse, Otis Park, Bluespring Caverns Park
Official Websitehttps://bedford.in.us/

Distance from Bedford in Lawrence County, Indiana to Other Cities in Indiana

  • Bloomington, IN – 22 miles (35 km)
  • Mitchell, IN – 6 miles (10 km)
  • Shoals, IN – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Paoli, IN – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Salem, IN – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Martinsville, IN – 35 miles (56 km)
  • Columbus, IN – 45 miles (72 km)
  • Washington, IN – 55 miles (89 km)
  • Vincennes, IN – 70 miles (113 km)
  • Indianapolis, IN – 75 miles (121 km)
  • Terre Haute, IN – 80 miles (129 km)
  • Jasper, IN – 60 miles (97 km)
  • New Albany, IN – 80 miles (129 km)
  • Jeffersonville, IN – 85 miles (137 km)
  • Evansville, IN – 120 miles (193 km)
  • Lafayette, IN – 140 miles (225 km)
  • Kokomo, IN – 120 miles (193 km)
  • Muncie, IN – 130 miles (209 km)
  • Fort Wayne, IN – 190 miles (306 km)
  • South Bend, IN – 200 miles (322 km)

Nearby Cities to Bedford, Indiana

  • Oolitic, Indiana - 3 mi Northwest
  • Mitchell, Indiana - 8 mi West
  • Bloomington, Indiana - 22 mi North
  • Loogootee, Indiana - 24 mi Southwest
  • Salem, Indiana - 29 mi Southeast
  • Shoals, Indiana - 23 mi Southwest
  • Paoli, Indiana - 25 mi South
  • Spencer, Indiana - 31 mi Northwest
  • Seymour, Indiana - 38 mi East
  • Columbus, Indiana - 43 mi Northeast

Bedford, Indiana Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January40233.4
April64434.8
July86664.6
October67453.2
Annual644447.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate ClassificationHumid Subtropical (Köppen Cfa)
Annual RainfallApproximately 47 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysAbout 185 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskModerate - Thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes
SnowfallApproximately 15 inches annually

Driving Distances from Bedford, Indiana

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
OoliticIndiana35 min
MitchellIndiana810 min
BloomingtonIndiana2230 min
ShoalsIndiana2330 min
LoogooteeIndiana2435 min
PaoliIndiana2535 min
SalemIndiana2940 min
SpencerIndiana3140 min
SeymourIndiana3845 min
ColumbusIndiana4350 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Bedford, Indiana

TransportationDetails
Airport NameVirgil I. Grissom Municipal Airport
IATA CodeBFR
PortNot Applicable
Major HighwaysU.S. Highway 50, U.S. Highway 150, State Road 37 (I-69), State Road 58
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station in Indianapolis
Local Bus/Transit ServiceRural Transit and regional transportation services
  • U.S. Highway 50 - Main east-west highway connecting Bedford with Seymour, Vincennes and southern Indiana communities.
  • U.S. Highway 150 - Provides regional access between Shoals, Paoli and nearby towns.
  • Interstate 69 (via State Road 37) - Connects Bedford with Bloomington, Martinsville, Indianapolis and Evansville.
  • State Road 58 - Links Bedford with Salem, Columbus and rural Lawrence County.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Bedford, Indiana

LandmarkType
Lawrence County Museum of HistoryMuseum
Spring Mill State ParkState Park
Joe Palooka StatueMonument
Otis ParkCity Park
Milwaukee TrailRecreation Trail
Virgil I. Grissom MemorialMemorial
Bluespring Caverns ParkNatural Attraction
Bedford Downtown Historic DistrictHistoric District
Wilson ParkCommunity Park
Indiana Limestone Heritage TrailScenic Attraction

Colleges and Universities in Bedford, Indiana

InstitutionTypeLevelNotable For
Indiana University BloomingtonPublicUniversityResearch and liberal arts
Ivy Tech Community College - BloomingtonPublicCommunity CollegeCareer and transfer education
Oakland City University - Bedford SitePrivateUniversityAdult and professional education
Vincennes UniversityPublicUniversityTechnical and workforce programs
Indiana University SoutheastPublicUniversityRegional higher education
Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyPrivateUniversityEngineering and science

Waterbodies in Bedford, Indiana

East Fork White River, Salt Creek, Bluespring Caverns Underground River, Lake Monroe, Otter Creek, Indian Creek, Leatherwood Creek, Guthrie Creek, Lost River, Spring Mill Lake.

Golf Courses in Bedford, Indiana

Otis Park Golf Course, Stone Crest Golf Community, Salt Creek Golf Retreat, Rolling Hills Golf Club, Sultan's Run Golf Club, Hidden Hills Golf Course, Eagle Pointe Golf Resort, Valley Links Golf Course.

Bedford, Indiana - Key Historical Facts

  • Bedford was established in 1825 and became the county seat of Lawrence County shortly after the county was formed.
  • The city earned the nickname "Limestone Capital of the World" because of its world-famous limestone quarries and stone industry.
  • Bedford limestone was used in the construction of many notable buildings, including the Empire State Building and the Pentagon.
  • The arrival of the railroad in the nineteenth century helped expand the city's quarrying, manufacturing and commercial industries.
  • Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom, one of NASA's original Mercury Seven astronauts, was born in nearby Mitchell and is honored throughout the Bedford area.
  • Today, Bedford combines its rich limestone heritage with outdoor recreation, historic attractions and a strong manufacturing economy.

References

Indiana Related Maps and Info

Indiana MapIndiana County MapIndiana Cities Map
Indiana ZipcodesWhere is IndianaWhere is Fort Wayne
Indiana Area CodesIndiana Blank MapIndiana River Map
Indiana Physical MapIndiana Road MapWhere is Indianapolis