Great Portway is in Biddenham, Bedford and in Bedford district. MK40 4GA is located in the Great Denham electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of North East Bedfordshire. This postcode has been in use since 1998-06-01.
StreetScan combines information about Great Portway, Biddenham, Bedford, MK40 4GA and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK40 4GB, MK40 4FB, MK40 4GD, MK40 4FD, MK40 4FA, MK40 4SE, MK40 4GE, MK40 4SA, MK40 4GH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around MK40 4GA is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 48.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 51.7% | 51.8% | 0.1% | 51.0% | 0.8% |
| Male | 48.3% | 48.2% | -0.1% | 49.0% | -0.8% |
Across the UK, the average relationship status breakdown is roughly 44% married, 38% single, 9% divorced, 6% widowed, and 2% separated.
In the immediate vicinity of MK40 4GA there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 58.3% 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 | 29.7% | 28.4% | -1.3% | 37.9% | -9.5% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 57% | 58.3% | 1.3% | 44.2% | 14.1% |
| Separated | 4.4% | 1.4% | -3.0% | 2.2% | -0.8% |
| Divorced | 8% | 7.3% | -0.7% | 9.1% | -1.8% |
| Widowed | 0.8% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 6.1% | -1.5% |
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.
This area has a high percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (91.8%) 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 | 62.7% | 56% | -6.7% | 48.4% | 7.6% |
| Good health | 32.1% | 35.8% | 3.7% | 33.6% | 2.2% |
| Fair health | 4.6% | 4.6% | 0.0% | 12.7% | -8.1% |
| Bad health | 0.6% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 4.0% | -0.5% |
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 MK40 4GA this area, 9.3% of residents have no qualifications. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 18.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 9.2% | 9.3% | 0.1% | 18.2% | -8.9% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 14.5% | 6% | -8.5% | 9.6% | -3.6% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 17.7% | 18.1% | 0.4% | 13.4% | 4.7% |
| Apprenticeship | 1.2% | 3.2% | 2.0% | 5.3% | -2.1% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 11.2% | 19% | 7.8% | 16.9% | 2.1% |
| Degree or Similar | 45.4% | 42.1% | -3.3% | 33.8% | 8.3% |
| Other | 0.8% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 2.8% | -0.5% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 76.7% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 0.6% | 0.4% | -0.2% | 1.1% | -0.7% |
| Chinese | 1.5% | 0% | -1.5% | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| Indian | 8.6% | 6.7% | -1.9% | 3.1% | 3.6% |
| Pakistani | 1.8% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 2.7% | 0.5% |
| Other Asian | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.0% | 1.6% | 0.2% |
| Black African | 0% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 2.5% | -1.8% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 1.0% | -1.0% |
| Other Black | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0.5% | -0.1% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.3% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 0.9% | 1.9% |
| Mixed Other | 0% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| White | 84.1% | 76.7% | -7.4% | 81.4% | -4.7% |
| Arab | 0% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 0.6% | 1.9% |
| Other | 0% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
In this area, 85.9% 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 | 88.4% | 85.9% | -2.5% | 83.2% | 2.7% |
| European Union | 4% | 6% | 2.0% | 6.1% | -0.1% |
| Rest of Europe | 1.5% | 0.4% | -1.1% | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| Africa | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.2% | 2.7% | -1.3% |
| Middle East and Asia | 4.6% | 4.6% | 0.0% | 5.6% | -1.0% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.5% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 87.8% | 86.2% | -1.6% | 83.2% | 3.0% |
| 10+ Years | 1.5% | 9.9% | 8.4% | 9.8% | 0.1% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.9% | 1.4% | 0.5% | 2.9% | -1.5% |
| 2-5 Years | 1.5% | 1.4% | -0.1% | 2.2% | -0.8% |
| Less than 2 years | 8.3% | 1.1% | -7.2% | 1.9% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 86.9% | 76.7% | 10.2% |
| Ireland | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Germany | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Portugal | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.2% |
| Poland | 1.1% | 1.3% | -0.2% |
| Middle East | 1.1% | 0.1% | 1.0% |
| Southern Asia | 0.4% | 1.2% | -0.8% |
| South-East Asia | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Central and South America | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| No passport held | 7.8% | 13.5% | -5.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 33.6% | 37.2% | -3.6% |
| Christian | 45.9% | 46.2% | -0.3% |
| Hindu | 1.4% | 1.7% | -0.3% |
| Muslim | 7.1% | 6.5% | 0.6% |
| Sikh | 4.6% | 0.9% | 3.7% |
| Not answered | 7.4% | 6.0% | 1.4% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Great Portway was 90.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 49.1% higher than the Biddenham average. The most reported crime type was Anti-social behaviour.
Great Portway has the 4th highest crime rate of 37 local areas in Biddenham and the 155th highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 9.7 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -55.5%.

Households in this area have a higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 90% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 Great Portway, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £235,000 | 2021-07-30 | £281,947 |
| 15 Great Portway, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £570,000 | 2021-06-25 | £691,346 |
| 27 Great Portway, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £267,000 | 2021-01-26 | £328,162 |
| 29 Great Portway, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £260,000 | 2018-09-25 | £324,463 |
| 3 Great Portway, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £600,000 | 2018-07-26 | £731,944 |
MK40 4GA area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 0% 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 | 115 |
| Retired | 32 |
| Part-Time Employee | 26 |
| Self-Employed | 21 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 7 |
| Looking after home or family | 7 |
| Other | 4 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 4 |
| Unemployed | 1 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 1 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 35 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 24 |
| Education | 23 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 18 |
| Transport and storage | 15 |
| Human health and social work activities | 15 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 12 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Information and communication | 9 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 8 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 7 |
| Other | 6 |
| Real estate activities | 3 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 3,206 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 4,000 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Denham Primary School Greenkeepers Road , Great Denham MK40 4GG | 3out of 4 | 835 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St James' Church of England VA Primary School Main Road , Biddenham MK40 4BD | 3out of 4 | 1,415 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Rural Primary School Martell Drive , MK42 7FJ | 4out of 4 | 1,481 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary School Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | 2out of 4 | 1,911 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Westfield Primary School Chester Road , MK40 4HW | 2out of 4 | 1,958 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| 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 | 1,815 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Challenger Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 2,266 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | 3out of 4 | 2,909 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 3,760 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Wootton Upper School Hall End Road , Wootton MK43 9HT | 3out of 4 | 4,357 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford College Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AH | - not rated | 3,690 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greys Education Centre Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | 3out of 4 | 1,743 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 1,870 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ridgeway School Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 2,346 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | 4out of 4 | 2,538 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Rushmoor School 58-60 Shakespeare Road , MK45 2RS | - not rated | 3,229 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Eatery | Unit A, Roman Gate | 237 yd | |
| The Cable Cafe | Box End Park, Box End Road | 765 yd | |
| Corner 5 Restaurant | Box End Park, Box End Road | 765 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ice Bar Trailer | 23 Midsummer Grove | 125 yd | |
| Mo's Fish & Grill | Unit 4, Anglia Way | 318 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sainsbury's | Unit 1, Anglia Way | 286 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Great Denham Country Park GREAT DENHAM SPORTS PAVILION GREAT DENHAM SPORTS PAVILION QUEEN ELEANOR DRIVE | grass pitches | 653 yd |
| The Bedford Golf Club CARNOUSTIE DRIVE | golf | 747 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 | 19.2% |
| 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 | 0.0% |
| Median download speed | 64.4 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 61.6 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 138.97 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 138.97 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 18.8 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 15.3 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.