Watling Street is in Hockliffe, Leighton Buzzard and in South Bedfordshire district. LU7 9LJ is located in the Heath & Reach 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 Watling Street, Hockliffe, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9LJ and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: LU7 9NS, LU7 9RX, LU7 9NF, LU7 9HJ, LU7 9NT, LU7 9LL, LU7 9LP, LU7 9LW, LU7 9LH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around LU7 9LJ is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 49.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 49.6% | 50.6% | 1.0% | 51.0% | -0.4% |
| Male | 50.4% | 49.4% | -1.0% | 49.0% | 0.4% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
In the immediate vicinity of LU7 9LJ there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 52.4% of the resident population. In contrast, the average marriage rate across the census is about 44%.
Areas with a high percentage of married residents are typically suburban neighborhoods, towns with good schools and family-friendly amenities, and regions with affordable, spacious housing options. Additionally, such areas can be popular among retirees.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 30.9% | 34.4% | 3.5% | 37.9% | -3.5% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 50.9% | 52.4% | 1.5% | 44.2% | 8.2% |
| Separated | 0.6% | 2.2% | 1.6% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| Divorced | 11.6% | 7.4% | -4.2% | 9.1% | -1.7% |
| Widowed | 6.1% | 3.6% | -2.5% | 6.1% | -2.5% |
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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 44.7% | 47.3% | 2.6% | 48.4% | -1.1% |
| Good health | 36% | 35.1% | -0.9% | 33.6% | 1.5% |
| Fair health | 12.2% | 11.6% | -0.6% | 12.7% | -1.1% |
| Bad health | 6.4% | 4.4% | -2.0% | 4.0% | 0.4% |
| Very bad health | 0.7% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 1.2% | 0.3% |
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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 26.3% | 16.8% | -9.5% | 18.2% | -1.4% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 14.7% | 12% | -2.7% | 9.6% | 2.4% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 15.3% | 12.5% | -2.8% | 13.4% | -0.9% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.6% | 6.2% | 1.6% | 5.3% | 0.9% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 12.1% | 21.1% | 9.0% | 16.9% | 4.2% |
| Degree or Similar | 23.1% | 29.3% | 6.2% | 33.8% | -4.5% |
| Other | 3.8% | 2.2% | -1.6% | 2.8% | -0.6% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 92.7% identifying as such, significantly higher than the UK average of 81.4%. This indicates a lower level of ethnic diversity compared to the broader UK population.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1.1% | -0.5% |
| Chinese | 0.2% | 0.8% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Indian | 0.5% | 1.2% | 0.7% | 3.1% | -1.9% |
| Other Asian | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 1.6% | -1.4% |
| Black African | 1.4% | 0.8% | -0.6% | 2.5% | -1.7% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 1.0% | -0.8% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.9% | 1.7% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.5% | 1.2% | 0.7% | 0.9% | 0.3% |
| Mixed Other | 0.2% | 0% | -0.2% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| White | 95.5% | 92.7% | -2.8% | 81.4% | 11.3% |
| Arab | 0.2% | 0% | -0.2% | 0.6% | -0.6% |
| Other | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
In this area, 92% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is higher than the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 95.5% | 92% | -3.5% | 83.2% | 8.8% |
| European Union | 1.4% | 4.6% | 3.2% | 6.1% | -1.5% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2% |
| Africa | 2.1% | 1.7% | -0.4% | 2.7% | -1.0% |
| Middle East and Asia | 0.9% | 1% | 0.1% | 5.6% | -4.6% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 1.3% | -1.1% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 93.4% | 92.3% | -1.1% | 83.2% | 9.1% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 9.8% | -3.9% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.2% | 0.8% | -0.4% | 2.9% | -2.1% |
| 2-5 Years | 2.1% | 0.6% | -1.5% | 2.2% | -1.6% |
| Less than 2 years | 3.3% | 0.4% | -2.9% | 1.9% | -1.5% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 82.5% | 76.7% | 5.8% |
| Ireland | 0.8% | 0.6% | 0.2% |
| Lithuania | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Poland | 1% | 1.3% | -0.3% |
| Romania | 1.5% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Other EU countries | 0.6% | 1.5% | -0.9% |
| Other Europe | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.2% | 0.3% | -0.1% |
| No passport held | 12.4% | 13.5% | -1.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 45% | 37.2% | 7.8% |
| Christian | 47.3% | 46.2% | 1.1% |
| Hindu | 1.1% | 1.7% | -0.6% |
| Muslim | 1% | 6.5% | -5.5% |
| Not answered | 5.6% | 6.0% | -0.4% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Watling Street was 99.1 per 1,000 residents, which is 62.8% higher than the Eaton Bray average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Watling Street has the 8th highest crime rate of 31 local areas in Eaton Bray and the 140th highest crime rate of 871 local areas in Central Bedfordshire .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 52.2 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has risen by about 4.6%.
Households in this area have a higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 77% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.
| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watling House Watling Street, Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £900,000 | 2024-07-18 | £991,992 |
| Willow Cottage Watling Street, Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £432,500 | 2017-01-26 | £547,694 |
| Willow Cottage Watling Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £285,000 | 2004-06-21 | £626,282 |
| Willow Cottage Watling Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £115,000 | 1997-02-03 | £668,278 |
LU7 9LJ area has a high level of entrepreneurship. Only 23% of streets have higher percent of entrepreneur residents. 12% of population in this area is self-employed, while the average in the UK is 9.7%. High number of entrepreneurs usually leads to relatively high economic growth, higher paid jobs and better quality of life in the area.
LU7 9LJ 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.
| Full-Time Employee | 176 |
| Retired | 62 |
| Part-Time Employee | 51 |
| Self-Employed | 50 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 22 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 21 |
| Unemployed | 14 |
| Looking after home or family | 13 |
| Other | 6 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 3 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 35 |
| Construction | 27 |
| Manufacturing | 21 |
| Education | 20 |
| Information and communication | 15 |
| Human health and social work activities | 14 |
| Transport and storage | 14 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 13 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 13 |
| Other | 13 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 13 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 10 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 6 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 4 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 2 |
| Mining and quarrying | 1 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hockliffe Lower School Woburn Road , Hockliffe LU7 9LL | 4out of 4 | 231 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Stanbridge Lower School Tilsworth Road , Stanbridge LU7 9HY | 3out of 4 | 2,878 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Beaudesert Lower School Appenine Way , LU7 3DX | 3out of 4 | 3,783 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Toddington St George Church of England School Manor Road , Toddington LU5 6AJ | 4out of 4 | 4,359 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Leedon Lower School Highfield Road , LU7 3LZ | 2out of 4 | 4,629 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vandyke Upper School Vandyke Road , LU7 3DY | 3out of 4 | 4,227 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Inglefield Academy Vandyke Road , LU7 3FU | 3out of 4 | 4,401 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Parkfields Middle School Park Road , Toddington LU5 6AB | - not rated | 4,586 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Brooklands Middle School Brooklands Drive , LU7 3PF | 3out of 4 | 4,742 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Bank School Sandy Lane , LU7 3BE | 4out of 4 | 5,286 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The White Hart | Watling Street, Hockliffe | 499 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald's Restaurants Ltd | Watling Street, Hockliffe | 675 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Hockliffe Football Pitches KILBY ROAD | grass pitches | 646 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 | 83.3% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 0.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 0.0% |
| 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 | 16.7% |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.