Bedford Road is in Houghton Regis, Dunstable and in South Bedfordshire district. LU5 5QS is located in the Houghton Regis West electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of South West Bedfordshire. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Bedford Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5QS and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: LU5 5DJ, LU5 5QR, LU5 5DL, LU5 5BJ, LU5 5QH, LU5 5DP, LU5 5DW, LU5 5HP, LU5 5HH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding LU5 5QS, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 55.8% of residents being female. Several factors can contribute to this. Women generally live longer than men, resulting in a higher proportion of women in neighborhoods with significant elderly populations. Typically, as people grow older, they tend to relocate from city center addresses to suburban areas, smaller towns, and rural locations. Consequently, these areas often have a higher number of females. A higher female population can also be found in areas with industries that employ more women, such as healthcare, education, and retail.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 53.6% | 55.8% | 2.2% | 51.0% | 4.8% |
| Male | 46.4% | 44.2% | -2.2% | 49.0% | -4.8% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 34% | 32.8% | -1.2% | 37.9% | -5.1% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 47% | 41.4% | -5.6% | 44.2% | -2.8% |
| Married: Same sex | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Separated | 1.9% | 1.2% | -0.7% | 2.2% | -1.0% |
| Divorced | 6.3% | 10.5% | 4.2% | 9.1% | 1.4% |
| Widowed | 10.8% | 13.7% | 2.9% | 6.1% | 7.6% |
Across the UK, the average 48.4% rated their health as Very Good, 33.6% as Good, 12.7% as Fair, 4% as Bad, and 1.2% as Very Bad.
Population age significantly impacts residents' health. Additionally, socioeconomic status plays a crucial role: higher income levels and lower poverty rates are linked to better health outcomes. Affluent areas benefit from higher living standards, access to private healthcare, and healthier lifestyle choices.
This area has a lower percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (68.2%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either an older population or social deprivation in the area.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 35.1% | 32.2% | -2.9% | 48.4% | -16.2% |
| Good health | 31.5% | 36% | 4.5% | 33.6% | 2.4% |
| Fair health | 21.9% | 24.4% | 2.5% | 12.7% | 11.7% |
| Bad health | 8.6% | 6% | -2.6% | 4.0% | 2.0% |
| Very bad health | 3% | 1.4% | -1.6% | 1.2% | 0.2% |
During the 2021 census, the educational qualifications of residents across the UK were as follows: 18.2% had no qualifications, 9.6% had 1-4 GCSEs, 13.4% had 5 or more GCSEs and 1-2 A/AS Levels, 16.9% had 2 or more A Levels, 33.8% held a degree (or equivalent), and 5.4% had completed an apprenticeship.
In the area around LU5 5QS this area, 29.6% of residents have no qualifications. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 18.2%. This area stands out for its low percentage of residents with higher education degree. The UK average is 33.8%, while in this area it is 19.8%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 36.9% | 29.6% | -7.3% | 18.2% | 11.4% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 11.2% | 12.1% | 0.9% | 9.6% | 2.5% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 19% | 12.1% | -6.9% | 13.4% | -1.3% |
| Apprenticeship | 2.6% | 6.6% | 4.0% | 5.3% | 1.3% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 10.4% | 12.8% | 2.4% | 16.9% | -4.1% |
| Degree or Similar | 14.6% | 19.8% | 5.2% | 33.8% | -14.0% |
| Other | 5.2% | 7% | 1.8% | 2.8% | 4.2% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 89.4% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 0.7% | 0% | -0.7% | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| Indian | 3% | 1.4% | -1.6% | 3.1% | -1.7% |
| Pakistani | 0.3% | 0.7% | 0.4% | 2.7% | -2.0% |
| Other Asian | 0.7% | 0.4% | -0.3% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| Black African | 0% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 2.5% | -1.1% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.7% | 1.8% | 1.1% | 1.0% | 0.8% |
| Other Black | 0.7% | 0% | -0.7% | 0.5% | -0.5% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 2.6% | 1.1% | -1.5% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.4% | 1.4% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.9% | -0.5% |
| Mixed Other | 0.3% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| White | 91.1% | 89.4% | -1.7% | 81.4% | 8.0% |
| Roma | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Other | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
In this area, 86.2% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is similar to the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 90.7% | 86.2% | -4.5% | 83.2% | 3.0% |
| European Union | 2.6% | 10.2% | 7.6% | 6.1% | 4.1% |
| Africa | 3% | 1.8% | -1.2% | 2.7% | -0.9% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3.3% | 1.1% | -2.2% | 5.6% | -4.5% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.1% | 1.3% | -0.9% |
| Oceania | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 88.7% | 86.5% | -2.2% | 83.2% | 3.3% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 9.8% | 0.5% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.3% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 2.9% | -1.8% |
| 2-5 Years | 1.3% | 1.8% | 0.5% | 2.2% | -0.4% |
| Less than 2 years | 9.6% | 0.4% | -9.2% | 1.9% | -1.5% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 70.4% | 76.7% | -6.3% |
| Ireland | 1.4% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| Italy | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Poland | 5.6% | 1.3% | 4.3% |
| Romania | 1.1% | 0.9% | 0.2% |
| Other EU countries | 0.7% | 1.5% | -0.8% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| No passport held | 19.4% | 13.5% | 5.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 37.7% | 37.2% | 0.5% |
| Christian | 52.8% | 46.2% | 6.6% |
| Hindu | 1.8% | 1.7% | 0.1% |
| Muslim | 0.7% | 6.5% | -5.8% |
| Other religion | 1.4% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| Not answered | 5.6% | 6.0% | -0.4% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Bedford Road was 645.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 655.0% higher than the Houghton Regis East average. The most reported crime type was Shoplifting.
Bedford Road has the highest crime rate of 57 local areas in Houghton Regis East and the 4th highest crime rate of 871 local areas in Central Bedfordshire .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 71.7 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -46.8%.

Households in this area have a slightly higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 65% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Watling Court Bedford Road, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £134,000 | 2025-01-15 | £134,821 |
| 5 Watling Court Bedford Road, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £95,000 | 2024-04-03 | £98,708 |
| 10 Watling Court Bedford Road, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £110,000 | 2023-12-08 | £114,414 |
| 12 Watling Court Bedford Road, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £156,000 | 2020-12-11 | £176,621 |
| 3 Watling Court Bedford Road, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £150,000 | 2019-09-13 | £166,011 |
LU5 5QS area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 3% residents of this area were unemployed, while the average in the UK was 4.83%. A low level of unemployment in an area indicates a strong job market, where most people who are seeking work can find employment. This generally reflects a healthy economy in the area.
The percentage of retired residents living in LU5 5QS area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 33% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 85 |
| Full-Time Employee | 76 |
| Self-Employed | 22 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 20 |
| Part-Time Employee | 19 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 10 |
| Other | 8 |
| Unemployed | 8 |
| Looking after home or family | 8 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 0 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 29 |
| Human health and social work activities | 11 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 10 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Transport and storage | 10 |
| Education | 8 |
| Other | 7 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 6 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 5 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 5 |
| Information and communication | 2 |
| Real estate activities | 2 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 2 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Nursery School Goldstone Crescent , LU5 4QU | 4out of 4 | 2,063 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Westfield Nursery School Westfield Road , LU6 1DL | 4out of 4 | 2,287 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Pastures Way Nursery School Pastures Way , LU4 0PE | 3out of 4 | 2,658 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| The Gill Blowers Nursery School 1 Mossdale Court , Teesdale LU4 9JL | 2out of 4 | 4,121 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Whitehead CofE Academy Angels Lane , Houghton Regis LU5 5HH | 1out of 4 | 240 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Houghton Regis Primary School St Michael's Avenue , Houghton Regis LU5 5DH | 3out of 4 | 269 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Tithe Farm Primary School Tithe Farm Road , Houghton Regis LU5 5JB | 3out of 4 | 680 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Hammersmith Gardens , Houghton Regis LU5 5RG | 3out of 4 | 926 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Hawthorn Park Community Primary Parkside Drive , Houghton Regis LU5 5QN | - not rated | 1,519 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints Academy Dunstable Houghton Road , LU5 5AB | 2out of 4 | 1,184 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Houghton Regis Academy Parkside Drive , Houghton Regis LU5 5PX | 1out of 4 | 1,691 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Chalk Hills Academy Leagrave High St , LU4 0NE | 3out of 4 | 2,798 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Queensbury Academy Langdale Road , LU6 3BU | 3out of 4 | 3,295 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Challney High School for Girls Addington Way , LU4 9FJ | 2out of 4 | 4,292 yd | Academy converter | No | Girls | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bedfordshire College Kingsway , LU5 4HG | - not rated | 1,802 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priory Academy Britain Street , LU5 4JA | 3out of 4 | 2,611 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Academy of Central Bedfordshire Kingsland Campus , Parkside Drive LU5 5PX | 3out of 4 | 1,692 yd | Free schools alternative provision | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Chiltern School Parkside Drive , LU5 5PX | 3out of 4 | 2,039 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Oneschool Global Dunstable Ridgeway Avenue , LU5 4QL | - not rated | 2,177 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Weatherfield Academy Brewers Hill Road , LU6 1AF | 3out of 4 | 2,513 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St George's School 28 Priory Road , LU5 4HR | - not rated | 2,525 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon Lounge | 12 Bedford Square, Houghton Regis | 238 yd | |
| Cafe & Smoothies Bar | 5 Bedford Square, Houghton Regis | 247 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Kings Arms | High Street, Houghton Regis | 130 yd | |
| The Chequers | East End, Houghton Regis | 598 yd | |
| The Crown | East End, Houghton Regis | 598 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Ocean Fish and Chips | 4 Bedford Road, Houghton Regis | 97 yd | |
| Istanbul Takeaway | 4 Bedford Square, Houghton Regis | 217 yd | |
| China House | 11 Bedford Square, Houghton Regis | 247 yd | |
| Tithe Chicken & Chips | 145A Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis | 927 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd | High Street, Houghton Regis | 195 yd | |
| Lidl Great Britain Limited | Houghton Road, Houghton Regis | 808 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Bodies Gym UNIT 7-8 UNIT 7-8 WESTBURY CLOSE | health and fitness suite | 551 yd |
| Orchard Close Recreation Ground Orchard Close | grass pitches | 752 yd |
| Moore Crescent Recreation Ground Moore Crescent | grass pitches | 784 yd |
This statistics are based on Active Places Data - Contains Data © Sport England
| Percentage of premises that have Superfast Broadband (30Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 100.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 2Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 5Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 10Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises unable to receive 30Mbit/s | 0.0% |
| Median download speed | 70 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 65.2 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 80 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 80 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 16.8 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.