Bowhill is in Bedford and in Bedford district. MK41 8EQ is located in the Goldington electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Bowhill, Bedford, MK41 8EQ and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK41 8ES, MK41 8ER, MK41 8EE, MK41 8EF, MK41 8EH, MK41 8ET, MK41 8HJ, MK41 8EG, MK41 8HH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK41 8EQ has a female population much higher than UK average, with 56.8% of the population 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 | 54.2% | 56.8% | 2.6% | 51.0% | 5.8% |
| Male | 45.8% | 43.2% | -2.6% | 49.0% | -5.8% |
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 | 23.7% | 27.2% | 3.5% | 37.9% | -10.7% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 52.5% | 44.7% | -7.8% | 44.2% | 0.5% |
| Separated | 2.1% | 1.6% | -0.5% | 2.2% | -0.6% |
| Divorced | 7.6% | 9.4% | 1.8% | 9.1% | 0.3% |
| Widowed | 14% | 17.2% | 3.2% | 6.1% | 11.1% |
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 | 39.9% | 46.7% | 6.8% | 48.4% | -1.7% |
| Good health | 32.8% | 30.9% | -1.9% | 33.6% | -2.7% |
| Fair health | 18.8% | 15.8% | -3.0% | 12.7% | 3.1% |
| Bad health | 6.6% | 4.5% | -2.1% | 4.0% | 0.5% |
| Very bad health | 1.8% | 2.1% | 0.3% | 1.2% | 0.9% |
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 | 21.2% | 20.5% | -0.7% | 18.2% | 2.3% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 14% | 9.4% | -4.6% | 9.6% | -0.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 18.2% | 13.7% | -4.5% | 13.4% | 0.3% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.7% | 6.5% | 1.8% | 5.3% | 1.2% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 13.1% | 12.7% | -0.4% | 16.9% | -4.2% |
| Degree or Similar | 20.8% | 34.2% | 13.4% | 33.8% | 0.4% |
| Other | 8.1% | 2.9% | -5.2% | 2.8% | 0.1% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 85.9% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 0.4% | 0.8% | 0.4% | 0.7% | 0.1% |
| Indian | 3% | 2.7% | -0.3% | 3.1% | -0.4% |
| Pakistani | 3.3% | 4.2% | 0.9% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Other Asian | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1% | 1.6% | -1.3% |
| Black African | 1.8% | 0.8% | -1.0% | 2.5% | -1.7% |
| Black Caribbean | 1.8% | 0.8% | -1.0% | 1.0% | -0.2% |
| Other Black | 0% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 2.2% | 3.2% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 2.3% |
| White | 86.3% | 85.9% | -0.4% | 81.4% | 4.5% |
| Gypsy or Irish Traveller | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Other | 0.7% | 0.3% | -0.4% | 1.6% | -1.3% |
In this area, 80.9% 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 | 86.7% | 80.9% | -5.8% | 83.2% | -2.3% |
| European Union | 5.9% | 11.7% | 5.8% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Africa | 1.5% | 1.1% | -0.4% | 2.7% | -1.6% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3.3% | 4% | 0.7% | 5.6% | -1.6% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 2.2% | 1.1% | -1.1% | 1.3% | -0.2% |
| Oceania | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 84.5% | 80.9% | -3.6% | 83.2% | -2.3% |
| 10+ Years | 1.1% | 12.5% | 11.4% | 9.8% | 2.7% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.4% | 3.2% | 2.8% | 2.9% | 0.3% |
| 2-5 Years | 1.8% | 2.9% | 1.1% | 2.2% | 0.7% |
| Less than 2 years | 12.2% | 0.5% | -11.7% | 1.9% | -1.4% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 70.9% | 76.7% | -5.8% |
| Ireland | 1.3% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Italy | 1.1% | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| Portugal | 1.3% | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Lithuania | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.5% |
| Poland | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Other EU countries | 4.2% | 1.5% | 2.7% |
| Turkey | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.4% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Southern Asia | 0.8% | 1.2% | -0.4% |
| No passport held | 16.4% | 13.5% | 2.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 32.2% | 37.2% | -5.0% |
| Christian | 56.1% | 46.2% | 9.9% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Hindu | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.4% |
| Muslim | 4.3% | 6.5% | -2.2% |
| Not answered | 5.1% | 6.0% | -0.9% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Bowhill was 473.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 779.5% higher than the De Parys average. The most reported crime type was Shoplifting.
Bowhill has the 2nd highest crime rate of 73 local areas in De Parys and the 21st highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 15.8 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has risen by about 88.0%.

Households in this area have a similar level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 57% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 Bowhill, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £315,000 | 2018-10-02 | £397,776 |
| 57 Bowhill, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £342,500 | 2015-03-20 | £547,792 |
| 51 Bowhill, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £315,000 | 2012-08-31 | £599,296 |
| 45 Bowhill, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £195,000 | 2012-07-11 | £382,791 |
| 53 Bowhill, Bedford, Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £157,000 | 2001-08-13 | £491,033 |
MK41 8EQ area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 2% 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 MK41 8EQ area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 42% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 130 |
| Full-Time Employee | 86 |
| Part-Time Employee | 24 |
| Self-Employed | 24 |
| Looking after home or family | 19 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 11 |
| Other | 5 |
| Unemployed | 5 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 4 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 1 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 19 |
| Human health and social work activities | 19 |
| Education | 11 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 10 |
| Construction | 10 |
| Transport and storage | 10 |
| Manufacturing | 9 |
| Other | 5 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 5 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 5 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 3 |
| Information and communication | 3 |
| Real estate activities | 1 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 1 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 3,808 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 4,043 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hills Academy Stancliffe Road , MK41 9AT | 4out of 4 | 495 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Hazeldene School Stancliffe Road , MK41 9AT | 3out of 4 | 541 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Putnoe Primary School Church Lane , MK41 0DH | 3out of 4 | 783 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St John Rigby Catholic Primary School Polhill Avenue , MK41 9DQ | 4out of 4 | 1,049 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Brickhill Primary School Dove Road , Brickhill MK41 7AA | 3out of 4 | 1,374 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Rutherford School Wentworth Drive , MK41 8PX | 3out of 4 | 953 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Goldington Academy Haylands Way , MK41 9BX | 3out of 4 | 980 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Castle Newnham School Polhill Avenue , MK41 9DT | 3out of 4 | 1,198 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Thomas More Catholic School Tyne Crescent , MK41 7UL | 4out of 4 | 2,158 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 3,135 yd | Free schools | 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 | 3,116 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrims Pre-Preparatory School Brickhill Drive , MK41 7QZ | - not rated | 1,593 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Andrew's School 78 Kimbolton Road , MK40 2PA | - not rated | 1,881 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| KWS School 51 Brunel Road , Bedford MK41 9TJ | - not rated | 1,970 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford School De Parys Avenue , MK40 2TU | - not rated | 2,210 yd | Other independent school | No | Boys | More About School |
| Bedford Girls' School Cardington Road , MK42 0BX | - not rated | 2,870 yd | Other independent school | No | Girls | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cake Shop | 12 Library Walk | 469 yd | |
| Cod Father | 113 Church Lane | 779 yd | |
| Four Seasons Cafe | Mowsbury Park Cafe, Mowsbury Park, Wentworth Drive | 851 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bluebell | 115 Putnoe Lane | 563 yd | |
| The New Sportsman | The Sportsman, 58 The Boundary | 731 yd | |
| Bedford Athletic Rugby Club Bar | Bedford Athletic Rugby Club, Wentworth Drive | 984 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andys Chippy | 78 Queens Drive | 321 yd | |
| Tasty Plaice | 5 The Fairway | 773 yd | |
| Subway | 99 Church Lane | 775 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi | Aldi, Church Lane | 779 yd | |
| Co-operative | 105-109 Church Lane | 779 yd | |
| Iceland | 95-97 Church Lane | 779 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Putnoe Primary School CHURCH LANE | grass pitches | 671 yd |
| Church Lane Community Centre (Closed) Church Lane | 779 yd | |
| Mark Rutherford School WENTWORTH DRIVE | grass pitches, tennis courts | 961 yd |
| Bedford Athletic Rugby Club WENTWORTH DRIVE | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 969 yd |
| The Bury CHURCH LANE | grass pitches | 980 yd |
| Goldington Academy HAYLANDS WAY | grass pitches | 984 yd |
| St John Rigby Catholic Primary School POLHILL AVENUE | grass pitches | 1,084 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 | 150 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 202.1 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 15 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 19.6 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.