OP is in Virginia, so I think U.S. tax law will apply.
I'd like to expand OP's question to improve it: if you're going to hold bonds, what should you hold and where should it be located?
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) has a 2.19% "SEC" yield (good for comparing funds) that is exempt from Federal income tax.
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) has a 2.57% "SEC" yield at ordinary income tax rates.
2.19 / 2.57 = 0.85, meaning anyone above the 15% tax bracket benefits from tax-exempt. So by way of example....
2.57% x 0.75 (25% tax bracket) = 1.93% yield after taxes,
versus 2.19% tax exempt yield.
Most people would benefit from holding a tax-exempt bond fund in a taxable account. It makes more room in their retirement accounts, and the after-tax yield is better. So my answer to the modified question, yes you should hold bonds in taxable - but use a tax-exempt bond fund.