Acorn Way is in Bedford and in Bedford district. MK42 0QN is located in the Kingsbrook electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1998-12-01.
StreetScan combines information about Acorn Way, Bedford, MK42 0QN and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 0QP, MK42 0EQ, MK42 0QJ, MK42 0QS, MK42 0EN, MK42 0QR, MK42 9NA, MK42 0QH, MK42 0PZ.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK42 0QN, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 52.8% of residents 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 | 50.2% | 52.8% | 2.6% | 51.0% | 1.8% |
| Male | 49.8% | 47.2% | -2.6% | 49.0% | -1.8% |
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 | 39.6% | 40.6% | 1.0% | 37.9% | 2.7% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 38.2% | 43.6% | 5.4% | 44.2% | -0.6% |
| Married: Same sex | 1% | 0% | -1.0% | 0.3% | -0.3% |
| Separated | 3.9% | 1.7% | -2.2% | 2.2% | -0.5% |
| Divorced | 11.1% | 8.5% | -2.6% | 9.1% | -0.6% |
| Widowed | 6.3% | 5.6% | -0.7% | 6.1% | -0.5% |
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 (85.5%) 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 | 44.5% | 49.8% | 5.3% | 48.4% | 1.4% |
| Good health | 34.2% | 35.7% | 1.5% | 33.6% | 2.1% |
| Fair health | 17.9% | 9.5% | -8.4% | 12.7% | -3.2% |
| Bad health | 3.4% | 4.3% | 0.9% | 4.0% | 0.3% |
| Very bad health | 0% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1.2% | -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.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 25.1% | 22.9% | -2.2% | 18.2% | 4.7% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 13.5% | 11% | -2.5% | 9.6% | 1.4% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 15.9% | 14.8% | -1.1% | 13.4% | 1.4% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.3% | 6.4% | 2.1% | 5.3% | 1.1% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 7.2% | 14% | 6.8% | 16.9% | -2.9% |
| Degree or Similar | 24.2% | 29.2% | 5.0% | 33.8% | -4.6% |
| Other | 9.7% | 1.7% | -8.0% | 2.8% | -1.1% |
In this area, the population is more ethnically diverse compared to the UK average. While 65.7% 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 | 3% | 5.6% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 4.5% |
| Chinese | 0% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.0% |
| Indian | 4.6% | 5.2% | 0.6% | 3.1% | 2.1% |
| Pakistani | 0.8% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 2.7% | 1.9% |
| Other Asian | 1.1% | 1.6% | 0.5% | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| Black African | 3.8% | 6.2% | 2.4% | 2.5% | 3.7% |
| Black Caribbean | 2.3% | 2% | -0.3% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.8% | 0.7% | -0.1% | 0.8% | -0.1% |
| Mixed White and African | 1.1% | 1% | -0.1% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 2.7% | 4.6% | 1.9% | 0.9% | 3.7% |
| Mixed Other | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| White | 79.5% | 65.7% | -13.8% | 81.4% | -15.7% |
| Gypsy or Irish Traveller | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Arab | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Other | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% | -0.3% |
In this area, 67.2% 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 | 80.2% | 67.2% | -13.0% | 83.2% | -16.0% |
| European Union | 10.6% | 16.9% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 10.8% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2% |
| Africa | 5.3% | 5.2% | -0.1% | 2.7% | 2.5% |
| Middle East and Asia | 2.3% | 7.8% | 5.5% | 5.6% | 2.2% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 1.5% | 2.3% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 79.8% | 67.6% | -12.2% | 83.2% | -15.6% |
| 10+ Years | 0.4% | 18% | 17.6% | 9.8% | 8.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 4.6% | 9.5% | 4.9% | 2.9% | 6.6% |
| 2-5 Years | 4.9% | 2.9% | -2.0% | 2.2% | 0.7% |
| Less than 2 years | 10.3% | 2% | -8.3% | 1.9% | 0.1% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 61.8% | 76.7% | -14.9% |
| Ireland | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Italy | 3.3% | 0.6% | 2.7% |
| Portugal | 1% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Poland | 8.8% | 1.3% | 7.5% |
| Romania | 1.3% | 0.9% | 0.4% |
| Other EU countries | 2% | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| Other Europe | 0.7% | 0.2% | 0.5% |
| Central and Western Africa | 2.3% | 0.3% | 2.0% |
| Eastern Asia | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Southern Asia | 2.9% | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Central and South America | 0.7% | 0.2% | 0.5% |
| No passport held | 13.7% | 13.5% | 0.2% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 30.9% | 37.2% | -6.3% |
| Christian | 46.3% | 46.2% | 0.1% |
| Hindu | 3.3% | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Muslim | 12.1% | 6.5% | 5.6% |
| Sikh | 3.3% | 0.9% | 2.4% |
| Other religion | 1% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Not answered | 3.3% | 6.0% | -2.7% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Acorn Way was 85.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 47.9% lower than the Cauldwell average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Acorn Way has the 36th lowest crime rate of 82 local areas in Cauldwell and the 167th highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 51.8 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has risen by about 63.9%.

Households in this area have a similar level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 58% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have higher average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Acorn Way, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £255,000 | 2025-08-01 | £255,722 |
| 2 Acorn Way, Bedford, Bedford Flats/Maisonettes, an established residential building | £175,000 | 2025-04-11 | £178,335 |
| 36 Acorn Way, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £320,000 | 2024-10-16 | £339,840 |
| 15 Acorn Way, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £299,999 | 2022-06-20 | £329,625 |
| 36 Acorn Way, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £286,000 | 2021-12-06 | £329,070 |
MK42 0QN 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.
The percentage of student residents living in MK42 0QN area is much higher than the country's average. Usually places with high percentage of students are near Universities and near entertainment places.
| Full-Time Employee | 98 |
| Part-Time Employee | 29 |
| Self-Employed | 21 |
| Retired | 21 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 18 |
| Looking after home or family | 11 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 10 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 10 |
| Other | 8 |
| Unemployed | 7 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 27 |
| Human health and social work activities | 21 |
| Transport and storage | 15 |
| Manufacturing | 14 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 10 |
| Construction | 9 |
| Information and communication | 9 |
| Education | 8 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 7 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 7 |
| Other | 3 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 3 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 2 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 222 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 1,033 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shackleton Primary School Pearcey Road , MK42 9LZ | 3out of 4 | 137 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| King's Oak Primary School Oak Road , MK42 0HH | 2out of 4 | 737 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cauldwell School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 3out of 4 | 1,041 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Elstow School Abbeyfields Road Abbeyfields , Elstow MK42 9GP | 3out of 4 | 1,365 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Camestone School Jowitt Avenue , Kempston MK42 8NW | 3out of 4 | 1,957 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 831 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 1,164 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | 3out of 4 | 2,182 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Castle Newnham School Polhill Avenue , MK41 9DT | 3out of 4 | 2,794 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Goldington Academy Haylands Way , MK41 9BX | 3out of 4 | 2,815 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 | 1,294 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 807 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Girls' School Cardington Road , MK42 0BX | - not rated | 1,085 yd | Other independent school | No | Girls | More About School |
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | 4out of 4 | 1,684 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford School De Parys Avenue , MK40 2TU | - not rated | 2,176 yd | Other independent school | No | Boys | More About School |
| KWS School 51 Brunel Road , Bedford MK41 9TJ | - not rated | 2,311 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMA’S Palace (E&G Kitchen) | Unit 1, Windsor Road | 326 yd | |
| THE HUNTERS' GRILL | Unit 1, Windsor Road | 326 yd | |
| Lagos Lounge | Unit 1, Windsor Road | 326 yd | |
| Bedford Sweets & Snacks | 70 Elstow Road | 451 yd | |
| Joyes Boba Bedford Bubble Tea | 35A Elstow Road | 532 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meltis Sports and Social Club | Meltis Sports And Social Club, Miller Road | 593 yd | |
| The Bull | The Bull, 259 London Road | 601 yd | |
| Gardeners Arms | The Gardeners Arms, 12 Sandhurst Road | 889 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wok Inn | 159 London Road | 182 yd | |
| Golden Star | 204 London Road | 272 yd | |
| Golden Fish Bar | 26 London Road | 558 yd | |
| Pizza Hut | 24 London Road | 558 yd | |
| Zest Pizza | 32 London Road | 558 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAS Supermarket | Unit 2, 82 Ampthill Road | 951 yd | |
| Tesco | Tesco, Cardington Road | 986 yd | |
| Morrisons Service Station Shop | Morrisons, Ampthill Road | 1,016 yd | |
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited | Morrisons, Ampthill Road | 1,016 yd | |
| Aldi | Aldi, Westville Road | 1,059 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Harrowden Middle School (Closed) Oak Road | grass pitches | 526 yd |
| The Gym (Bedford) London Road | health and fitness suite | 719 yd |
| Bedford Academy (Closed) Mile Road | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 739 yd |
| John Bunyan Health And Fitness MILE ROAD | health and fitness suite, squash courts | 817 yd |
| Jubilee Park SOUTH LODGE SOUTH LODGE CANVIN WAY | grass pitches | 831 yd |
| Moor Lane Recreation Ground Moor Lane | grass pitches | 861 yd |
| Meltis Sports And Social Club MILLER COURT | grass pitches | 864 yd |
| Bedford Academy MILE ROAD | artificial grass pitch | 875 yd |
| Abbey Middle School (Closed) Mowbray Road | grass pitches, swimming pool | 1,025 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 | 97.1% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 82.9% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 82.9% |
| 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 | 70.8 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 67.6 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 125.05 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 125.05 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 16.1 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.