Countess Gardens is in Kempston, Bedford and in North Bedfordshire district. MK42 7EG is located in the Kempston Central & East electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1990-07-01.
StreetScan combines information about Countess Gardens, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7EG and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 7EH, MK42 7BS, MK42 7EA, MK42 7AL, MK42 7EN, MK42 7AR, MK42 7EJ, MK42 7BT, MK42 7AS.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding MK42 7EG has a slightly higher male population, with 50.1% of residents 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 | 49.9% | 49.9% | 0.0% | 51.0% | -1.1% |
| Male | 50.1% | 50.1% | 0.0% | 49.0% | 1.1% |
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 MK42 7EG, a significant portion of the population is single, making up 43.1% 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 | 32.2% | 43.1% | 10.9% | 37.9% | 5.2% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 45.3% | 39.2% | -6.1% | 44.2% | -5.0% |
| Separated | 5.7% | 2.3% | -3.4% | 2.2% | 0.1% |
| Divorced | 8.7% | 12.2% | 3.5% | 9.1% | 3.1% |
| Widowed | 8.1% | 3.2% | -4.9% | 6.1% | -2.9% |
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 lower percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (70.8%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either an older population or social deprivation in the area.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 44.2% | 35.5% | -8.7% | 48.4% | -12.9% |
| Good health | 32.7% | 35.3% | 2.6% | 33.6% | 1.7% |
| Fair health | 15.3% | 21.5% | 6.2% | 12.7% | 8.8% |
| Bad health | 5.5% | 5.8% | 0.3% | 4.0% | 1.8% |
| Very bad health | 2.3% | 1.9% | -0.4% | 1.2% | 0.7% |
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 MK42 7EG this area, 30.9% of residents have no qualifications. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 18.2%. 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 16.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 37.2% | 30.9% | -6.3% | 18.2% | 12.7% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 18.8% | 15.4% | -3.4% | 9.6% | 5.8% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 12.8% | 14.1% | 1.3% | 13.4% | 0.7% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.7% | 6.8% | 1.1% | 5.3% | 1.5% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 9.1% | 13.8% | 4.7% | 16.9% | -3.1% |
| Degree or Similar | 12.8% | 16.4% | 3.6% | 33.8% | -17.4% |
| Other | 3.7% | 2.6% | -1.1% | 2.8% | -0.2% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 76.4% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.1% | -1.1% |
| Indian | 7.8% | 11.8% | 4.0% | 3.1% | 8.7% |
| Pakistani | 0.8% | 0.5% | -0.3% | 2.7% | -2.2% |
| Other Asian | 1.3% | 0.8% | -0.5% | 1.6% | -0.8% |
| Black African | 2.6% | 0.8% | -1.8% | 2.5% | -1.7% |
| Black Caribbean | 1.8% | 2.7% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 1.7% |
| Other Black | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 3.4% | 2.2% | -1.2% | 0.8% | 1.4% |
| Mixed White and African | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.4% | -0.4% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 1.8% | 1.4% | -0.4% | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| Mixed Other | 0.8% | 1.1% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| White | 79% | 76.4% | -2.6% | 81.4% | -5.0% |
| Arab | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Other | 0.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.0% |
In this area, 81.3% 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 | 87.3% | 81.3% | -6.0% | 83.2% | -1.9% |
| European Union | 4.9% | 9.9% | 5.0% | 6.1% | 3.8% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| Africa | 2.9% | 3% | 0.1% | 2.7% | 0.3% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3.9% | 3.8% | -0.1% | 5.6% | -1.8% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.8% | 1.6% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| Oceania | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 86.5% | 81.8% | -4.7% | 83.2% | -1.4% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 13% | 13.0% | 9.8% | 3.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.8% | 1.4% | 0.6% | 2.9% | -1.5% |
| 2-5 Years | 4.7% | 3.9% | -0.8% | 2.2% | 1.7% |
| Less than 2 years | 8.1% | 0% | -8.1% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 64.9% | 76.7% | -11.8% |
| Ireland | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Italy | 3% | 0.6% | 2.4% |
| Portugal | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Lithuania | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Poland | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| Romania | 2.8% | 0.9% | 1.9% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Southern Asia | 0.8% | 1.2% | -0.4% |
| No passport held | 24.3% | 13.5% | 10.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 39.4% | 37.2% | 2.2% |
| Christian | 40.8% | 46.2% | -5.4% |
| Hindu | 1.9% | 1.7% | 0.2% |
| Muslim | 1.4% | 6.5% | -5.1% |
| Sikh | 6.9% | 0.9% | 6.0% |
| Other religion | 1.7% | 0.6% | 1.1% |
| Not answered | 8% | 6.0% | 2.0% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Countess Gardens was 98.0 per 1,000 residents, which is 22.5% lower than the Kempston Central & East average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Countess Gardens has the 23rd highest crime rate of 59 local areas in Kempston Central & East and the 147th highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 62.8 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -37.8%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Countess Gardens, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £335,000 | 2019-12-16 | £403,567 |
| 4 Countess Gardens, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £245,000 | 2016-03-17 | £348,550 |
| 3 Countess Gardens, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £200,000 | 2010-08-02 | £373,866 |
| 2 Countess Gardens, Bedford, Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £220,000 | 2005-09-30 | £439,147 |
| 4 Countess Gardens, Bedford, Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £215,000 | 2002-08-15 | £556,407 |
| Full-Time Employee | 131 |
| Retired | 55 |
| Part-Time Employee | 39 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 22 |
| Other | 14 |
| Looking after home or family | 13 |
| Unemployed | 13 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 10 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 6 |
| Self-Employed | 6 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 37 |
| Human health and social work activities | 17 |
| Manufacturing | 16 |
| Construction | 16 |
| Education | 15 |
| Transport and storage | 11 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 11 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 9 |
| Other | 6 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 6 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 6 |
| Information and communication | 2 |
| Real estate activities | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 2 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 2 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 2,600 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Southway Nursery School Ampthill Road , MK42 9HE | - not rated | 3,043 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 3,188 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balliol Primary School Balliol Road , Kempston MK42 7ER | 3out of 4 | 314 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary School Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | - not rated | 686 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary Academy Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | 2out of 4 | 696 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Rural Primary School Martell Drive , MK42 7FJ | 3out of 4 | 1,000 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | - not rated | 1,291 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 738 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hastingsbury Business & Enterprise College Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | - not rated | 738 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | - not rated | 1,350 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 2,704 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 4out of 4 | 3,459 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Bruce Middle School Bedford Road , Kempston MK42 8PU | - not rated | 598 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Robert Bruce Middle School Bedford Road , Kempston MK42 8PU | - not rated | 598 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Daubeney Middle School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | - not rated | 1,350 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Gregory's Catholic Middle School Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AT | - not rated | 3,002 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Abbey Middle School Mowbray Road , MK42 9XA | - not rated | 3,048 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 | 3,457 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Kimberley 16 - 19 Stem College Green Lane , Stewartby MK43 9LY | - not rated | 5,302 yd | Free schools 16 to 19 | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greys House Residential School Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | - not rated | 357 yd | Miscellaneous | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Greys House Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | - not rated | 357 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Student Support Centre Greys House , Manor Drive MK42 7AB | - not rated | 357 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Manor Education Centre Greys House , Manor Drive MK42 7AB | - not rated | 357 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Greys Education Centre Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | - not rated | 367 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| D Gelato | 71 High Street | 185 yd | |
| DG Grill | 71 High Street | 185 yd | |
| Costa Coffee | 234 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 714 yd | |
| Caprinos Pizza | 44-46 Bunyan Road | 742 yd | |
| Cafe Mar-Chelles | 243 Bedford Road | 832 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| King William IV | King William Iv, 56 High Street | 102 yd | |
| Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club | 134 High Street | 333 yd | |
| The Duke Inn | The Duke Inn, 10 Woburn Road | 515 yd | |
| Royal Oak | The Royal Oak, 91 Woburn Road | 518 yd | |
| Kempston Constitutional Club | 196a Bedford Road | 879 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luci & Lina's Fish Bar | 70 High Street | 133 yd | |
| Papa Johns | 28-30 High Street | 133 yd | |
| G's Takeaway | 10 St Johns Street | 280 yd | |
| Oriental Chef | 10b St Johns Street | 280 yd | |
| Food Top Chinese | 81 Williamson Road | 456 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative | 12-14 St Johns Street | 280 yd | |
| J Sainsbury Plc (Main Store) | 252-274 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 714 yd | |
| Marks & Spencer Simply Foods | Unit 3, Riley Way | 998 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 1,079 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Balliol Lower School BALLIOL ROAD | grass pitches, swimming pool | 317 yd |
| Cryselco Sports Field ST. JOHNS AVENUE | grass pitches | 438 yd |
| Kempston Hammers Sports And Social Club HIGH STREET | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 448 yd |
| Robert Bruce Middle School (Closed) Bedford Road | grass pitches | 597 yd |
| Kempston Challenger Academy HILL RISE | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 740 yd |
| Bedfordshire Police Hq (Closed) Woburn Road | grass pitches | 912 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 929 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% |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.