Shakespeare Road, Bedford, MK40 2DR

People

Gender

In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around MK40 2DR 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	56.7%	50.6%	-6.1%	51.0%	-0.4%
Male	43.3%	49.4%	6.1%	49.0%	0.4%

Partnership Status

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 2DR, a significant portion of the population is single, making up 63.6% 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	57.1%	63.6%	6.5%	37.9%	25.7%
Married: Opposite sex	26.4%	22.1%	-4.3%	44.2%	-22.1%
Civil partnership: Same sex	0%	1.4%	1.4%	0.1%	1.3%
Separated	0.6%	4.3%	3.7%	2.2%	2.1%
Divorced	12.9%	5.7%	-7.2%	9.1%	-3.4%
Widowed	3.1%	2.9%	-0.2%	6.1%	-3.2%

Health

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 high percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (91.1%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either a younger population or more affluent area.

	2011	2021	10y change (pp)	UK Average	postcode vs UK (pp)
Very good health	55%	53.5%	-1.5%	48.4%	5.1%
Good health	33.9%	37.6%	3.7%	33.6%	4.0%
Fair health	7.8%	7%	-0.8%	12.7%	-5.7%
Bad health	2.2%	1.9%	-0.3%	4.0%	-2.1%
Very bad health	1.1%	0%	-1.1%	1.2%	-1.2%

Education and Qualifications

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 high percentage of residents with higher education degree or similar. The UK average is 33.8%, while in this area it is 51.4%.

	2011	2021	10y change (pp)	UK Average	postcode vs UK (pp)
No qualifications	13.5%	10.7%	-2.8%	18.2%	-7.5%
1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent	3.7%	5%	1.3%	9.6%	-4.6%
5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels	16%	13.6%	-2.4%	13.4%	0.2%
Apprenticeship	0.6%	4.3%	3.7%	5.3%	-1.0%
HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels	17.2%	12.9%	-4.3%	16.9%	-4.0%
Degree or Similar	25.8%	51.4%	25.6%	33.8%	17.6%
Other	23.3%	2.1%	-21.2%	2.8%	-0.7%

Culture

Ethnic Group

This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 75.8% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.

	2011	2021	10y change (pp)	UK Average	postcode vs UK (pp)
Chinese	11.1%	0.6%	-10.5%	0.7%	-0.1%
Indian	3.3%	7%	3.7%	3.1%	3.9%
Pakistani	0.6%	3.2%	2.6%	2.7%	0.5%
Other Asian	1.1%	0.6%	-0.5%	1.6%	-1.0%
Black African	3.9%	3.2%	-0.7%	2.5%	0.7%
Black Caribbean	1.1%	1.9%	0.8%	1.0%	0.9%
Other Black	0.6%	1.9%	1.3%	0.5%	1.4%
Mixed White and African	0%	1.3%	1.3%	0.4%	0.9%
Mixed White and Caribbean	0%	0.6%	0.6%	0.9%	-0.3%
Mixed Other	0.6%	2.5%	1.9%	0.8%	1.7%
White	72.8%	75.8%	3.0%	81.4%	-5.6%
Arab	3.9%	0%	-3.9%	0.6%	-0.6%
Other	1.1%	1.3%	0.2%	1.6%	-0.3%

Country of Birth

In this area, 59.7% 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	48.3%	59.7%	11.4%	83.2%	-23.5%
European Union	28.3%	21.4%	-6.9%	6.1%	15.3%
Rest of Europe	1.7%	4.4%	2.7%	0.8%	3.6%
Africa	3.3%	5%	1.7%	2.7%	2.3%
Middle East and Asia	16.7%	5.7%	-11.0%	5.6%	0.1%
The Americas and the Caribbean	1.1%	3.8%	2.7%	1.3%	2.5%
Oceania	0.6%	0%	-0.6%	0.3%	-0.3%

Length of Residence

	2011	2021	10y change (pp)	UK Average	postcode vs UK (pp)
Born in the UK	46.7%	59.7%	13.0%	83.2%	-23.5%
10+ Years	20.6%	13.8%	-6.8%	9.8%	4.0%
5-10 Years	10%	8.8%	-1.2%	2.9%	5.9%
2-5 Years	16.7%	16.4%	-0.3%	2.2%	14.2%
Less than 2 years	6.1%	1.3%	-4.8%	1.9%	-0.6%

Passport Held

	2021	UK Average	postcode vs UK (pp)
United Kingdom	60.4%	76.7%	-16.3%
Ireland	0.6%	0.6%	0.0%
Germany	1.9%	0.2%	1.7%
Italy	3.8%	0.6%	3.2%
Portugal	0.6%	0.5%	0.1%
Spain	2.5%	0.4%	2.1%
Lithuania	1.9%	0.3%	1.6%
Poland	8.8%	1.3%	7.5%
Romania	0.6%	0.9%	-0.3%
Other EU countries	3.8%	1.5%	2.3%
Other Europe	1.9%	0.2%	1.7%
Southern Asia	3.1%	1.2%	1.9%
North America and the Caribbean	1.9%	0.3%	1.6%
No passport held	8.2%	13.5%	-5.3%

Religion

	2021	UK Average	postcode vs UK (pp)
No religion	44.3%	37.2%	7.1%
Christian	38.6%	46.2%	-7.6%
Hindu	2.5%	1.7%	0.8%
Muslim	5.1%	6.5%	-1.4%
Sikh	2.5%	0.9%	1.6%
Not answered	7%	6.0%	1.0%

Safety

Is Shakespeare Road dangerous?

Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Shakespeare Road was 0.0 per 1,000 residents, matching the Harpur average.

Violent and sexual offences accounted for a small share of all recorded crimes .

🔎 See full breakdown of local crime, hotspots & trends

Affluence

Household Income

Households in this area have a slightly lower level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 61% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

Average Household Income
£41,800

Income Rank
4/10

Household Income in MK40 2DR, Local Authority and Region

Deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) - 8/10 (high )
Indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) is used to classify the relative deprivation (a measure of poverty) of the area. It considers the following domains:
Income Deprivation Domain - 7/10 (above average )
The Income Deprivation Domain measures the percentage of people in the population who are experiencing poverty due to having a low income. It includes both those who are unemployed and those who are employed but earn very little (and who satisfy the respective means tests).
Employment Deprivation Domain - 8/10 (high )
The Employment Deprivation Domain measures the proportion of the working-age population in an area involuntarily excluded from the labour market. This includes people who would like to work but are unable to do so due to unemployment, sickness or disability, or caring responsibilities.
Education, Skills and Training Domain - 5/10 (average )
The Education, Skills, and Training Deprivation Domain measures the lack of education and skills in a local area. It has two parts: one for children and young people, and one for adults. The part for children and young people looks at their school achievements ('flow'), while the part for adults looks at the number of adults without qualifications ('stock').
Health Deprivation and Disability Domain - 9/10 (very high )
The Health Deprivation and Disability Domain measures the risk of early death and poor quality of life due to bad physical or mental health. It looks at illness, disability, and early death, but not at behaviors or environments that might affect future health.
Crime Domain - 4/10 (below average )
The Crime Domain measures the risk of people and property being victims of crime in a local area.
Barriers to Housing and Services Domain - 7/10 (above average )
The Barriers to Housing and Services Domain measures how easy or hard it is to access housing and local services. It has two parts: one looks at how close local services are, and the other looks at issues like how affordable housing is.
Living Environment Deprivation Domain - 9/10 (very high )
The Living Environment Deprivation Domain measures the quality of the local environment. It has two parts: the "indoors" part looks at housing quality, and the "outdoors" part looks at air quality and road traffic accidents.
Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) - 4/10 (below average )
The Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) measures how many children aged 0 to 15 live in low-income families. It is part of the Income Deprivation Domain, which looks at how many people in an area have low incomes. This includes both those who are unemployed and those who work but earn very little (and who satisfy the respective means tests).
Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) - 6/10 (average )
The Income Deprivation Affecting Older People Index (IDAOPI) measures the percentage of people aged 60 or older who have low income. It is part of the Income Deprivation Domain, which looks at how many people in an area have low income, including both unemployed people and those with low-paying jobs (and who satisfy the respective means tests).

Property Prices

Average property prices on Shakespeare Road are based on 300 property sales since the beginning of 1995. Estimated property prices are calculated by adjusting the last sale price by current House Price Index for Bedford.
StreetScan downloads house price data directly from the HM Land Registry and uses it to create these statistics.

House Prices for Shakespeare Road, Bedford, MK40 2DR

Estimated Average Property Prices for MK40 2DR

Average Price
£159,822

Semi-Detached
no sales

Terraced
no sales

Detached
no sales

Flats/Maisonettes
£159,822

Other
no sales

Estimated Average Property Prices for Shakespeare Road

Average Price
£209,591

Semi-Detached
£494,683

Terraced
£378,836

Detached
£776,222

Flats/Maisonettes
£152,001

Other
no sales

Property Prices Comparison

Latest Property Sales on Shakespeare Road

Address	Sale Price	Sale Date	Price Estimate 2025
9 Portia House Shakespeare Road, Bedford, Bedford Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building	£150,000	2023-08-03	£153,166
7 Portia House Shakespeare Road, Bedford, Bedford Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building	£120,000	2017-03-14	£138,075
1 Portia House Shakespeare Road, Bedford, Bedford Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building	£150,000	2016-07-20	£184,727
6 Portia House Shakespeare Road, Bedford, Bedford Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building	£130,000	2015-02-27	£186,291
7 Portia House Shakespeare Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building	£101,000	2008-10-22	£158,114

View All Property Sales and Other Statistics for MK40 2DR

Employment

MK40 2DR area has a high unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 8% 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.

The percentage of student residents living in MK40 2DR area is much higher than the country's average. Usually places with high percentage of students are near Universities and near entertainment places.

Economic Activity

Full-Time Employee	75
Self-Employed	16
Unemployed	12
Student (economically inactive)	11
Part-Time Employee	8
Full-Time Student (with or without job)	7
Other	6
Retired	5
Looking after home or family	2
Long-Term Sick or disabled	1

Employment Industry

Human health and social work activities	17
Education	13
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles	13
Manufacturing	12
Professional, scientific and technical activities	8
Construction	7
Other	5
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security	5
Accommodation and food service activities	5
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	4
Administrative and support service activities	4
Financial and insurance activities	2
Information and communication	2
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	2
Transport and storage	1

Schools

Nursery

	Ofsted Overall Effectiveness	Distance	Establishment Type	Has Nursery Classes	Gender	More Info
Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR	4out of 4	2,056 yd	Local authority nursery school	Yes	Mixed	More About School
Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS	4out of 4	2,604 yd	Local authority nursery school	Yes	Mixed	More About School

Primary

	Ofsted Overall Effectiveness	Distance	Establishment Type	Has Nursery Classes	Gender	More Info
Livingstone Primary School Clapham Road , MK41 7LG	3out of 4	448 yd	Foundation school	No	Mixed	More About School
Great Ouse Primary Academy Seaforth Gardens , MK40 4TJ	- not rated	695 yd	Free schools	Yes	Mixed	More About School
Edith Cavell Primary School Manton Lane , MK41 7NH	3out of 4	733 yd	Foundation school	Yes	Mixed	More About School
Priory Primary School Greyfriars , MK40 1JD	4out of 4	772 yd	Foundation school	Yes	Mixed	More About School
Queen's Park Academy Chestnut Avenue , MK40 4HA	2out of 4	1,061 yd	Academy converter	Yes	Mixed	More About School

Secondary

	Ofsted Overall Effectiveness	Distance	Establishment Type	Has Nursery Classes	Gender	More Info
Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ	3out of 4	1,303 yd	Foundation school	No	Mixed	More About School
Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD	3out of 4	1,665 yd	Free schools	No	Mixed	More About School
Castle Newnham School Polhill Avenue , MK41 9DT	3out of 4	2,277 yd	Foundation school	No	Mixed	More About School
St Thomas More Catholic School Tyne Crescent , MK41 7UL	4out of 4	2,734 yd	Academy converter	No	Mixed	More About School
Goldington Academy Haylands Way , MK41 9BX	3out of 4	2,853 yd	Academy converter	Not Applicable	Mixed	More About School

16 plus

	Ofsted Overall Effectiveness	Distance	Establishment Type	Has Nursery Classes	Gender	More Info
Bedford College Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AH	- not rated	1,530 yd	Further education	Not Applicable	Mixed	More About School

Not applicable

	Ofsted Overall Effectiveness	Distance	Establishment Type	Has Nursery Classes	Gender	More Info
Rushmoor School 58-60 Shakespeare Road , MK45 2RS	- not rated	210 yd	Other independent school	Yes	Mixed	More About School
Polam School 45 Lansdowne Road , MK40 2BU	- not rated	440 yd	Other independent school	Yes	Mixed	More About School
Bedford Modern School Manton Lane , MK41 7NT	- not rated	686 yd	Other independent school	No	Mixed	More About School
Bedford School De Parys Avenue , MK40 2TU	- not rated	1,392 yd	Other independent school	No	Boys	More About School
St Andrew's School 78 Kimbolton Road , MK40 2PA	- not rated	1,632 yd	Other independent school	Yes	Mixed	More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.

Food and Drink

Restaurants, Cafes, Canteens

Business Name	Address	Distance
Dudu Bar Restaurant and Lounge	49 Bromham Road	277 yd
Flamme Rouge Cycles	62-64 Bromham Road	606 yd
A Different Brew	106 Clapham Road	655 yd
Charcoal Grill	75-77 Tavistock Street	678 yd
Indian Summer	69 Tavistock Street	678 yd

Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs

Business Name	Address	Distance
Kalooki Club	2 Spenser Road	291 yd
The Foresters Arms	The Foresters Arms, 41 Union Street	475 yd
The Ship	The Ship, 102 Bromham Road	487 yd
RAFA Club	93 Ashburnham Road	517 yd
North End Club	60 Roff Avenue	528 yd

Takeaway, Sandwich Shops

Business Name	Address	Distance
Best Kebab	100 Bromham Road	463 yd
Happy House	96 Bromham Road	477 yd
Golden Chicken Bar B Q	100a Bromham Road	487 yd
Best Pizza	100b Bromham Road	487 yd
Le Raj	29 Park Road West	494 yd

Supermarkets, Hypermarkets

Business Name	Address	Distance
Aldi Stores Ltd	98 Clapham Road	654 yd
J Sainsbury Plc (Main Store)	90 Clapham Road	655 yd
J Sainsbury Plc (Petrol station Shop)	90 Clapham Road	655 yd
Sainsbury's	105-107 Tavistock Street	678 yd
Iceland Foods Ltd	7-11 Midland Road	711 yd

Sport

Facility Name	Sport Objects	Distance
University Of Bedfordshire (Lansdowne Road Campus) (Closed) Lansdowne Road	swimming pool	162 yd
Rushmoor School RUSHMOOR SCHOOL RUSHMOOR SCHOOL SHAKESPEARE ROAD		289 yd
Alexander Sports Centre SIDNEY ROAD	grass pitches, health and fitness suite	465 yd
Bedford Girls' School Playing Fields (Closed) Beverley Grove	grass pitches, tennis courts	508 yd
Trinity Arts & Leisure BROMHAM ROAD	health and fitness suite, swimming pool	727 yd
Bedford Modern School MANTON LANE	artificial grass pitch, grass pitches, health and fitness suite, swimming pool	733 yd
Hmp Bedford ST. LOYES STREET	artificial grass pitch	834 yd
Samsons Fitness MIDLAND ROAD	health and fitness suite	927 yd
Towers Health And Racquets Club Clapham Road	health and fitness suite, indoor tennis centre, squash courts, swimming pool, tennis courts	952 yd
Robinson Pool PARK AVENUE	health and fitness suite, swimming pool	962 yd

Broadband

Technology Aviability

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	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%

Speed Aviability

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%

Download Speed

Median download speed	65.8 Mbit/s
Average download speed	62.5 Mbit/s
Minimum download speed	76.59 Mbit/s
Maximum download speed	76.59 Mbit/s

Upload Speed

Median upload speed	18.1 Mbit/s
Average upload speed	15.8 Mbit/s
Maximum upload speed	20 Mbit/s

Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.