Orchard Street is in Kempston, Bedford and in North Bedfordshire district. MK42 7JJ is located in the Kempston South electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Orchard Street, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7JJ and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 7RF, MK42 7RD, MK42 7JL, MK42 7JN, MK42 7RE, MK42 7LL, MK42 7RG, MK42 7LS, MK42 7PJ.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding MK42 7JJ has a slightly higher male population, with 51.5% 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 | 50.2% | 48.5% | -1.7% | 51.0% | -2.5% |
| Male | 49.8% | 51.5% | 1.7% | 49.0% | 2.5% |
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 MK42 7JJ there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 52.3% 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 | 24.9% | 30.7% | 5.8% | 37.9% | -7.2% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 57.4% | 52.3% | -5.1% | 44.2% | 8.1% |
| Civil partnership: Same sex | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.1% | 0.7% |
| Separated | 0.8% | 1.7% | 0.9% | 2.2% | -0.5% |
| Divorced | 9.7% | 7.1% | -2.6% | 9.1% | -2.0% |
| Widowed | 7.2% | 7.5% | 0.3% | 6.1% | 1.4% |
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 | 36% | 44.7% | 8.7% | 48.4% | -3.7% |
| Good health | 48.6% | 39.8% | -8.8% | 33.6% | 6.2% |
| Fair health | 11.9% | 11.8% | -0.1% | 12.7% | -0.9% |
| Bad health | 2.9% | 3.6% | 0.7% | 4.0% | -0.4% |
| Very bad health | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 1.2% | -1.2% |
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 | 23.2% | 23.7% | 0.5% | 18.2% | 5.5% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 19% | 15.8% | -3.2% | 9.6% | 6.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 15.2% | 12% | -3.2% | 13.4% | -1.4% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.1% | 8.7% | 3.6% | 5.3% | 3.4% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 8.9% | 12.9% | 4.0% | 16.9% | -4.0% |
| Degree or Similar | 20.3% | 24.1% | 3.8% | 33.8% | -9.7% |
| Other | 8.4% | 2.9% | -5.5% | 2.8% | 0.1% |
In this area, the population is more ethnically diverse compared to the UK average. While 63.3% 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 | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| Indian | 17.4% | 14.4% | -3.0% | 3.1% | 11.3% |
| Pakistani | 0% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| Other Asian | 0.6% | 1.6% | 1.0% | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| Black African | 2.3% | 2.6% | 0.3% | 2.5% | 0.1% |
| Black Caribbean | 4.2% | 2% | -2.2% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.4% | -0.1% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 2.9% | 4.3% | 1.4% | 0.9% | 3.4% |
| Mixed Other | 1.3% | 0.3% | -1.0% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| White | 70.4% | 63.3% | -7.1% | 81.4% | -18.1% |
| Arab | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.6% | -0.6% |
| Other | 0% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 1.6% | 4.6% |
In this area, 73.2% 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 | 85.2% | 73.2% | -12.0% | 83.2% | -10.0% |
| European Union | 2.9% | 10.1% | 7.2% | 6.1% | 4.0% |
| Rest of Europe | 1.9% | 1.3% | -0.6% | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Africa | 2.3% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| Middle East and Asia | 7.1% | 11.4% | 4.3% | 5.6% | 5.8% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.6% | 0% | -0.6% | 1.3% | -1.3% |
| 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 | 84.6% | 73.4% | -11.2% | 83.2% | -9.8% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 9.8% | 4.0% |
| 5-10 Years | 3.5% | 5.6% | 2.1% | 2.9% | 2.7% |
| 2-5 Years | 2.3% | 4.6% | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2.4% |
| Less than 2 years | 9.6% | 2.6% | -7.0% | 1.9% | 0.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 71.8% | 76.7% | -4.9% |
| France | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Germany | 1.3% | 0.2% | 1.1% |
| Italy | 1.6% | 0.6% | 1.0% |
| Portugal | 1.6% | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Poland | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| Romania | 1.6% | 0.9% | 0.7% |
| Other EU countries | 3.2% | 1.5% | 1.7% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Southern Asia | 3.2% | 1.2% | 2.0% |
| Oceania | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| No passport held | 12.7% | 13.5% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 23.9% | 37.2% | -13.3% |
| Christian | 49.8% | 46.2% | 3.6% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Hindu | 5.2% | 1.7% | 3.5% |
| Jewish | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Muslim | 4.9% | 6.5% | -1.6% |
| Sikh | 10.8% | 0.9% | 9.9% |
| Other religion | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Not answered | 3.9% | 6.0% | -2.1% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Orchard Street was 45.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 65.0% lower than the Kempston Central & East average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Orchard Street has the 16th lowest crime rate of 59 local areas in Kempston Central & East and the 225th lowest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 29.5 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has risen by about 208.0%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 Orchard Street, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £275,000 | 2021-04-30 | £335,863 |
| 98 Orchard Street, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £235,000 | 2019-02-13 | £291,743 |
| 92 Orchard Street, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £280,000 | 2018-06-22 | £344,766 |
| 59 Orchard Street, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £250,000 | 2014-10-03 | £417,591 |
| 86 Orchard Street, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £175,000 | 2011-11-11 | £341,574 |
MK42 7JJ 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.
| Full-Time Employee | 82 |
| Retired | 62 |
| Part-Time Employee | 42 |
| Self-Employed | 16 |
| Looking after home or family | 12 |
| Other | 7 |
| Unemployed | 7 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 6 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 5 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 1 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 29 |
| Human health and social work activities | 24 |
| Education | 19 |
| Transport and storage | 15 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 14 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 6 |
| Construction | 5 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 5 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 4 |
| Other | 3 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 3 |
| Information and communication | 3 |
| Real estate activities | 3 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 2 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 1,977 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 2,392 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | 2out of 4 | 304 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Camestone School Jowitt Avenue , Kempston MK42 8NW | 3out of 4 | 656 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary School Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | 2out of 4 | 762 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Balliol Primary School Balliol Road , Kempston MK42 7ER | 3out of 4 | 1,009 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Elstow School Abbeyfields Road Abbeyfields , Elstow MK42 9GP | 3out of 4 | 1,937 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | 3out of 4 | 373 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Challenger Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 1,479 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 2,845 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 2,872 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 2,889 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 | 2,921 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 | 932 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 1,093 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ridgeway School Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 1,596 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | 4out of 4 | 1,668 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 2,396 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King | Burger King, Interchange Retail Park, 3 Polo Field Way | 498 yd | |
| McDonald's | Mcdonalds, Interchange Retail Park, Race Meadows Way | 549 yd | |
| Costa Ltd | Unit N, Interchange Retail Park, Race Meadows Way | 549 yd | |
| KFC | Kfc, Interchange Retail Park, 3 Polo Field Way | 549 yd | |
| Caprinos Pizza | 44-46 Bunyan Road | 636 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mulberry Bush | The Mulberry Bush, Springfield Centre | 200 yd | |
| The Duke Inn | The Duke Inn, 10 Woburn Road | 600 yd | |
| Royal Oak | The Royal Oak, 91 Woburn Road | 706 yd | |
| Kempston Constitutional Club | 196a Bedford Road | 843 yd | |
| The Smiths Arms Public House Ltd | The Smiths Arms, 15 Margetts Road | 863 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon | 2 Springfield Centre | 200 yd | |
| Mangal BBQ | 3 Springfield Centre | 200 yd | |
| Kim Hing Takeaway | 7 Springfield Centre | 200 yd | |
| Domino's Pizza | 232 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 743 yd | |
| The Café Grill | 14 Bunyan Road | 768 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Sainsbury Plc (Main Store) | 252-274 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 743 yd | |
| Co-operative | 12-14 St Johns Street | 856 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 940 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Daubeney Academy ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, tennis courts | 273 yd |
| Southfield Tennis Courts LAUREL WALK | tennis courts | 555 yd |
| Cryselco Sports Field ST. JOHNS AVENUE | grass pitches | 812 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 894 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 | 100 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 120.8 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 10 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 14 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.