Bedford County

Bedford County is an administrative division in Tennessee that spans rural land with the Duck River flowing through it. The area consists of farmland, forests, and residential communities arranged around Shelbyville and smaller towns.

The county was established in 1807 when residents south of the Duck River and Stones River separated from Rutherford County. It was named after Thomas Bedford and later served as territory from which other counties were formed.

The region's character reflects the values of farming communities that have shaped its towns and neighborhoods over generations. Local traditions around agriculture and craftsmanship remain part of daily life in the smaller villages and along rural roads.

The county is accessible by multiple highways, including Interstate 24 and US Route 41A, connecting it to surrounding regions. Visitors should plan drives carefully since rural areas have limited services along smaller roads.

The region was originally Tennessee's largest county before portions of it were divided off. This gradual separation resulted in the creation of four distinct counties that emerged from the original territory.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: December 3, 1807

Capital city: Shelbyville

Shares border with: Rutherford County, Lincoln County, Coffee County, Moore County, Marshall County

Website: https://bedfordcountytn.gov

GPS coordinates: 35.51000,-86.46000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06