Greyfriars is in Bedford and in Bedford district. MK40 1HJ is located in the Greyfriars electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Greyfriars, Bedford, MK40 1HJ and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK40 1PW, MK40 1LR, MK40 1QB, MK40 1PX, MK40 1LJ, MK40 1TJ, MK40 1BZ, MK40 1RD, MK40 1QX.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK40 1HJ is primarily male, with 55.8% of the population being male. Several factors can contribute to this, including areas with industries or sectors that predominantly employ men, proximity to universities or technical schools with a higher enrollment of male students, presence of all-male or predominantly male institutions (military academies, boarding schools).
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 45% | 44.2% | -0.8% | 51.0% | -6.8% |
| Male | 55% | 55.8% | 0.8% | 49.0% | 6.8% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
In the immediate area around MK40 1HJ, a significant portion of the population is single, making up 52.3% of the residents. On average, approximately 38% of individuals who responded to the census in the UK were single. Areas with higher single populations are typically urban centers, university towns, regions with dynamic job markets, rich cultural offerings and entertainment facilities. These regions also tend to have a younger demographic.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 46.6% | 52.3% | 5.7% | 37.9% | 14.4% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 14.6% | 24.2% | 9.6% | 44.2% | -20.0% |
| Separated | 10.7% | 7.8% | -2.9% | 2.2% | 5.6% |
| Divorced | 25.2% | 15.6% | -9.6% | 9.1% | 6.5% |
| Widowed | 2.9% | 0% | -2.9% | 6.1% | -6.1% |
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 | 29.4% | 32% | 2.6% | 48.4% | -16.4% |
| Good health | 37.6% | 41.5% | 3.9% | 33.6% | 7.9% |
| Fair health | 23.9% | 14.3% | -9.6% | 12.7% | 1.6% |
| Bad health | 6.4% | 8.8% | 2.4% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Very bad health | 2.8% | 3.4% | 0.6% | 1.2% | 2.2% |
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.
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 22.7%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 41.7% | 22.7% | -19.0% | 18.2% | 4.5% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 5.8% | 15.6% | 9.8% | 9.6% | 6.0% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 14.6% | 11.7% | -2.9% | 13.4% | -1.7% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.9% | 3.9% | -1.0% | 5.3% | -1.4% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 6.8% | 18.8% | 12.0% | 16.9% | 1.9% |
| Degree or Similar | 16.5% | 22.7% | 6.2% | 33.8% | -11.1% |
| Other | 9.7% | 4.7% | -5.0% | 2.8% | 1.9% |
In this area, the population is more ethnically diverse compared to the UK average. While 64.4% of the residents identify as white, which is lower than the UK average of 81.4%, there are significant representations of other ethnic groups.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 1.8% | 1.3% | -0.5% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| Indian | 4.6% | 0% | -4.6% | 3.1% | -3.1% |
| Pakistani | 2.8% | 0.7% | -2.1% | 2.7% | -2.0% |
| Other Asian | 1.8% | 4.7% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 3.1% |
| Black African | 5.5% | 8.7% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 6.2% |
| Black Caribbean | 3.7% | 2% | -1.7% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Other Black | 0% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0.5% | 2.2% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0% | 2% | 2.0% | 0.8% | 1.2% |
| Mixed White and African | 0.9% | 0.7% | -0.2% | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0% | 2% | 2.0% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Mixed Other | 3.7% | 3.4% | -0.3% | 0.8% | 2.6% |
| White | 74.3% | 64.4% | -9.9% | 81.4% | -17.0% |
| Arab | 0.9% | 0.7% | -0.2% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Other | 0% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 1.6% | 5.1% |
In this area, 56.1% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is lower than the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 56.9% | 56.1% | -0.8% | 83.2% | -27.1% |
| European Union | 22% | 16.2% | -5.8% | 6.1% | 10.1% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.9% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 0.8% | 4.6% |
| Africa | 7.3% | 10.8% | 3.5% | 2.7% | 8.1% |
| Middle East and Asia | 9.2% | 7.4% | -1.8% | 5.6% | 1.8% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 3.7% | 4.1% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 2.8% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 56% | 56.5% | 0.5% | 83.2% | -26.7% |
| 10+ Years | 1.8% | 26.5% | 24.7% | 9.8% | 16.7% |
| 5-10 Years | 8.3% | 10.9% | 2.6% | 2.9% | 8.0% |
| 2-5 Years | 12.8% | 3.4% | -9.4% | 2.2% | 1.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 21.1% | 2.7% | -18.4% | 1.9% | 0.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 46.9% | 76.7% | -29.8% |
| Ireland | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Italy | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Portugal | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.9% |
| Poland | 6.1% | 1.3% | 4.8% |
| Romania | 2% | 0.9% | 1.1% |
| Other EU countries | 8.8% | 1.5% | 7.3% |
| Turkey | 0.7% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Middle East | 2% | 0.1% | 1.9% |
| Southern Asia | 0.7% | 1.2% | -0.5% |
| South-East Asia | 1.4% | 0.2% | 1.2% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Central and South America | 0.7% | 0.2% | 0.5% |
| No passport held | 26.5% | 13.5% | 13.0% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 33.3% | 37.2% | -3.9% |
| Christian | 48.3% | 46.2% | 2.1% |
| Buddhist | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Muslim | 10.9% | 6.5% | 4.4% |
| Other religion | 3.4% | 0.6% | 2.8% |
| Not answered | 2.7% | 6.0% | -3.3% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Greyfriars was 1771.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 747.6% higher than the Castle & Newnham average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Greyfriars has the highest crime rate of 51 local areas in Castle & Newnham and the highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 913.0 crimes per 1,000 residents and have remained broadly unchanged year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -55.0%.

Households in this area have a similar level level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 59% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Greyfriars, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £310,000 | 2005-03-11 | £648,966 |
| 25 Greyfriars, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £280,000 | 2002-10-31 | £810,000 |
| 25 Greyfriars, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £100,000 | 2001-03-09 | £387,132 |
MK40 1HJ area has a high unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 10% residents of this area were unemployed, while the average in the UK was 4.83%. High levels of unemployment lead to more frequent crime and reduce the quality of life in this area.
| Full-Time Employee | 41 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 17 |
| Part-Time Employee | 17 |
| Retired | 14 |
| Unemployed | 13 |
| Other | 10 |
| Self-Employed | 9 |
| Looking after home or family | 7 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 2 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 0 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 12 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 8 |
| Construction | 7 |
| Human health and social work activities | 5 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 4 |
| Other | 2 |
| Education | 2 |
| Information and communication | 1 |
| Transport and storage | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southway Nursery School Ampthill Road , MK42 9HE | - not rated | 1,090 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 1,249 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 1,594 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priory Primary School Greyfriars , MK40 1JD | - not rated | 307 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Livingstone Primary School Clapham Road , MK41 7LG | 3out of 4 | 921 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Raleigh School Ampthill Road , MK42 9HE | - not rated | 1,037 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Marlborough Lower School Marlborough Road , MK40 4LE | - not rated | 1,133 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cauldwell School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 3out of 4 | 1,283 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 4out of 4 | 601 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Castle Newnham School Polhill Avenue , MK41 9DT | 3out of 4 | 1,852 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Castle Newnham School Polhill Avenue , MK41 9DT | - not rated | 1,852 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 1,898 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Goldington Academy Haylands Way , MK41 9BX | 3out of 4 | 2,267 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Bede's RC Middle School 112 Bromham Road , MK40 2QR | - not rated | 552 yd | Voluntary aided school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St Gregory's Catholic Middle School Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AT | - not rated | 1,656 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Silver Jubilee Middle School Acacia Road , MK42 0HU | - not rated | 1,910 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Kingsbrook Middle School Oak Road , MK42 0HH | - not rated | 2,224 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Harrowden Middle School Oak Road , MK42 0HH | - not rated | 2,224 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford College Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AH | - not rated | 467 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford High School Bromham Road , MK40 2BS | - not rated | 353 yd | Other independent school | No | Girls | More About School |
| Teaching Service for Excluded Pupils 2nd Floor, Riverside Suite , County Hall MK42 9AP | - not rated | 459 yd | Miscellaneous | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Polam School 45 Lansdowne Road , MK40 2BU | - not rated | 651 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Georgina Perkins School Young Life Centre , 163 Tavistock Street MK40 2SD | - not rated | 774 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford School De Parys Avenue , MK40 2TU | - not rated | 850 yd | Other independent school | No | Boys | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa | 33 Midland Road | 42 yd | |
| Bedford Cafe | 49 Midland Road | 42 yd | |
| Caffe Amore | 51 Midland Road | 42 yd | |
| City Caffè | 44c Midland Road | 94 yd | |
| Al Fairoz | 54-56 Midland Road | 102 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyfriars Snooker Centre | Greyfriars Snooker Centre, Greyfriars | 49 yd | |
| Pilgrims Progress | 42 Midland Road | 102 yd | |
| Barley Mow | 72 St Loyes Street | 250 yd | |
| Bar Citrus | 29 Harpur Street | 262 yd | |
| The Studio Club | 32 Alexandra Road | 272 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papa Johns | 21 Greyfriars | 8 yd | |
| Pepe's Piri Piri | 5 Greyfriars | 8 yd | |
| Subway | 47 Midland Road | 42 yd | |
| Bedford Pizza & Kebab House | 87 Midland Road | 76 yd | |
| Al Badar | 66 Midland Road | 102 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liana International Market | 59 Midland Road | 34 yd | |
| Essential Supermarket | 10-11 Thurlow Street | 69 yd | |
| Iceland Frozen Foods Plc | 15-19 Greenhill Street | 179 yd | |
| Bedford Fruit and Vegetable Ltd | 109 Midland Road | 195 yd | |
| M-C-N Store Limited | 131 Midland Road | 328 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Samsons Fitness MIDLAND ROAD | health and fitness suite | 217 yd |
| Flexibility Health & Fitness Club 1-3 1-3 SILVER STREET | health and fitness suite | 331 yd |
| Hmp Bedford ST. LOYES STREET | artificial grass pitch | 359 yd |
| Trinity Arts & Leisure BROMHAM ROAD | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 370 yd |
| Bedford College CAULDWELL STREET | health and fitness suite | 441 yd |
| Pace Health Club (Bedford) (Closed) St. Marys Street | health and fitness suite | 514 yd |
| Bunyan Meeting Church MILL STREET | 561 yd | |
| Bedford Free School CAULDWELL HOUSE CAULDWELL HOUSE CAULDWELL STREET | 606 yd | |
| University Of Bedfordshire (Lansdowne Road Campus) (Closed) Lansdowne Road | swimming pool | 837 yd |
| Bedford School DE PARYS AVENUE | grass pitches, health and fitness suite, squash courts, swimming pool, tennis courts | 855 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 | 54.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 54.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 54.0% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 54.0% |
| 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 | 46.0% |
| Median download speed | 23.5 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 26.7 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 73.1 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 73.1 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 1.2 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 2.7 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 16.89 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.