Bedford is a city located in northeastern Tarrant County, Texas, United States, in the "Mid-Cities" area between Dallas and Fort Worth. It is a suburb of Dallas and Fort Worth. The population was 49,928 at the 2020 census. Bedford is part of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.0 sqmi, of which 0.10% is water. Neighboring cities include Hurst and Euless. Prominent highways include State Highway 121 and State Highway 183, also known as Airport Freeway (a reference to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, so called because this was the main thoroughfare to the airport in the early years of its history).

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 49,928 people, 20,089 households, and 12,431 families residing in the city.

Local government

The City of Bedford, Texas Home Rule Charter was adopted September 24, 1966. The city operates under a Council-Manager form of government and provides the following services by its charter: public safety, public works, health, culture, recreation, community development, water and sewer utilities. According to the city's 2013-2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $62.5 million in revenues, $56.9 million in expenditures, $127.4 million in total assets, $67.2 million in total liabilities, and $22.4 million in cash and investments.

Tax rollback of 2005

In 2004, the Bedford city council determined that after years of cost-cutting, a property tax increase would be necessary. The council adopted a higher tax rate, but it triggered a tax rollback election in March 2005. The rollback provision passed and the city council revised the budget immediately due to the lack of funds, cutting city services including swimming pools, recreational centers, and the city library. However, an anonymous donation of $300,000 allowed the reopening of the library, one pool, the recreational center, and senior center. Another $20,000 was raised through a resident fundraising drive to help reopen the library. City records show they had budget surpluses in the following years.

Economy

Top employers

According to Bedford's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Education

Bedford is within the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. School district facilities in Bedford include Pennington Field stadium, Gene A. Buinger Career and Technical Education Academy, two junior high schools, six elementary schools, and administrative offices. High School Students are also served by L.D. Bell High School in Hurst and Trinity High School or KEYS High School in Euless.

Notable people