Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Bedford spent more per resident in 2022 than 96% of similar towns
Bedford’s town government spent $105.4 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $7,497 per resident. Water and other utilities ($3.7 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Bedford is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$7,497 per resident in 2022: more than 96% of them
Bedford’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($7,497 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,531, and the middle half spent $3,716–$5,260. Bedford spent more than 96% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($2.6 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Bedford itself left out).
About $7,497 per resident a year, or $20.54 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 61% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Bedford runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
No trend yet
Bedford reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
Typical bills top $10,000 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Bedford’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Bedford’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Bedford →
Who’s in charge in Bedford
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Bedford’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on town.bedford.ma.us ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 23 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (14,053).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Bedford School District
Bedford’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Bedford, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $25,444 per pupil, $16,038 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Bedford voted in 2024
Official results for Bedford’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat70.4%5,874 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican26.3%2,192 votesOthers: 3.3% (275 votes).
Most votes in Bedford: Kamala D Harris
Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Bedford’s 10,624 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Bedford: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Middlesex County: Warren 66.5%, Deaton 33.3% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
U.S. House, 2024: 2 districts cover Bedford, so your street decides which race was yours. All 2 districts’ results →
President, 2024: Bedford, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford | 70.4% | 26.3% | 3.3% | 8,341 |
| Middlesex County | 68.0% | 28.9% | 3.1% | 814,832 |
| Massachusetts | 61.2% | 36.0% | 2.8% | 3,473,668 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Bedford.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: town.bedford.ma.us ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseState representatives
- 3Massachusetts SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseSplit between districts
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Bedford compares with the towns next door
Bedford spent $7,497 per resident in 2022; the 6 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $3,950 to $10,095. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Bedford’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Bedford’s government
How much does Bedford spend per resident?
About $7,497 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $7,497 was more than 96% of 75 Massachusetts towns and townships of 10,000–24,999 that run their own schools.
Who runs Bedford’s government?
See town.bedford.ma.us for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Bedford yet.
How did Bedford vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 70.4%, Donald J Trump 26.3% (8,341 votes, official results). Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Bedford?
616 full-time and 110 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $4.4M (about $53.3M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Bedford in the state legislature?
State Senate District Third Middlesex (Mike Barrett) and State House District 21st Middlesex (Ken Gordon). The House district also covers two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Bedford’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →