Living in Bedford, Texas
Bedford
A rebuilt park, a 1915 schoolhouse and live music in the Mid-Cities.
What it's like
The short version
Bedford sits in Tarrant County along State Highway 121 and State Highway 183, less than half an hour from both Dallas and Fort Worth. Generations Park at Boys Ranch anchors its parks, and the Old Bedford School hosts concerts and food trucks.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $400,000 in September 2026. Undeveloped land makes up under 5% of the city.
What it does well
Strong here
- Nightlife●●○
Bedford Ice House has live music daily, plus music bingo and karaoke. - Parks and trails●●○
Generations Park at Boys Ranch adds The Center and a water park to a system of neighborhood parks. - Established neighborhoods●●○
The Old Bedford School dates to 1915, and Bedford began as a small town in the 1840s.
The honest part
What to know first
- Undeveloped land makes up under 5% of the city.
- The full mixed-use town square plan at Bedford Commons is paused.
Not its strength: transit options, quiet, small-town pace, vibrant, big-city energy, a real downtown, restaurants, lake days, golf, land and acreage, new construction, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: walkable, shopping, horses welcome. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Generations Park at Boys Ranch
Home to The Center, an outdoor water park with a lazy river, ballfields, a special events lawn and a walking path around the lake. - Central Park
Roy Savage Pool, a full basketball court, a playground and a rentable pavilion. - Stormie Jones Park
Soccer fields, a volleyball court, a playground and a walking path. - Bark Park
Separate small and large dog areas with agility equipment. - Linear Trails
A walking, running and biking trail along the Oncor easement in northeast Bedford.
Eat and drink
- Spring Creek Barbeque
Hickory-smoked meats, serving since 1980. - Rosako's Soulfood and BBQ
Ribs, brisket and pork with soul food sides. - Bedford Ice House
Live music daily, with music bingo, karaoke and a patio with fire pits.
On the calendar
- Bedford Beats and Eats Fest
A day-long music festival over Labor Day weekend, formerly the Bedford Blues & BBQ Festival. - Bedford Rhythms
A fall concert series at the Old Bedford School.
What's coming
- About 30 acres between Bedford Road and L. Don Dodson Drive, starting with single-family homes on the east side. Restaurants and retail would follow in later phases.
- A rebuilt station next to the Law Enforcement Center, due around the end of 2027.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 with Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD: city 0.526212, Tarrant County 0.186200, JPS Health Network 0.165000, Tarrant County College 0.112280, HEB ISD 1.028900. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District at 0.026500 is not included; if it applies, the total is 2.045092.
The combined rate leaves out Tarrant Regional Water District, so check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD: TEA rating B, 2025-26
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Bedford report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2025 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Redfin: Bedford Housing Market
- Tarrant County Truth in Taxation Summary
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
- Wikipedia: Bedford, Texas
- KERA: Pause, reassess and change the approach at Bedford Commons
- Star-Telegram via AOL: Bedford changes plans for city-owned land
- City of Bedford: Parks and Trails Guide
- City of Bedford: Generations Park at Boys Ranch
- Islands: Bedford, Texas
- Star-Telegram via AOL: More improvements coming to Generations Park
- City of Hurst: Transportation
- City of Bedford: Bedford Crime Mapping