The Links is in Kempston, Bedford and in Bedford district. MK42 7LD 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 The Links, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7LD and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 7LU, MK42 7LB, MK42 7JP, MK42 7JX, MK42 7JU, MK42 7LA, MK42 8HB, MK42 8HD, MK42 7JB.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK42 7LD, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 53.7% 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 | 50.7% | 53.7% | 3.0% | 51.0% | 2.7% |
| Male | 49.3% | 46.3% | -3.0% | 49.0% | -2.7% |
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 | 31.4% | 34.8% | 3.4% | 37.9% | -3.1% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 50.9% | 50% | -0.9% | 44.2% | 5.8% |
| Separated | 3.5% | 1.7% | -1.8% | 2.2% | -0.5% |
| Divorced | 10.1% | 9.5% | -0.6% | 9.1% | 0.4% |
| Widowed | 4.2% | 4.1% | -0.1% | 6.1% | -2.0% |
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 | 40.5% | 43.1% | 2.6% | 48.4% | -5.3% |
| Good health | 42.9% | 39.9% | -3.0% | 33.6% | 6.3% |
| Fair health | 14.1% | 13% | -1.1% | 12.7% | 0.3% |
| Bad health | 2.4% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 4.0% | -0.3% |
| Very bad health | 0% | 0.3% | 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 | 20.6% | 21.3% | 0.7% | 18.2% | 3.1% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 18.5% | 13.9% | -4.6% | 9.6% | 4.3% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 21.3% | 16.6% | -4.7% | 13.4% | 3.2% |
| Apprenticeship | 3.5% | 5.4% | 1.9% | 5.3% | 0.1% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 9.4% | 11.5% | 2.1% | 16.9% | -5.4% |
| Degree or Similar | 20.2% | 26% | 5.8% | 33.8% | -7.8% |
| Other | 6.6% | 5.4% | -1.2% | 2.8% | 2.6% |
In this area, the population is more ethnically diverse compared to the UK average. While 69% 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 | 0.8% | 0.3% | -0.5% | 1.1% | -0.8% |
| Indian | 8.8% | 16.2% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 13.1% |
| Pakistani | 0.5% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 2.7% | -1.4% |
| Other Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | -0.5% | 1.6% | 0.0% |
| Black African | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.3% | 2.5% | -0.9% |
| Black Caribbean | 3.5% | 2.1% | -1.4% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Other Black | 0.5% | 1.1% | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 1.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 2.1% |
| Mixed White and African | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.8% | 1.3% | 0.5% | 0.9% | 0.4% |
| Mixed Other | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.2% | 0.8% | -0.3% |
| White | 77.6% | 69% | -8.6% | 81.4% | -12.4% |
| Roma | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Arab | 0.8% | 0% | -0.8% | 0.6% | -0.6% |
| Other | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.0% | 1.6% | -0.5% |
In this area, 77.9% 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% | 77.9% | -8.8% | 83.2% | -5.3% |
| European Union | 3.7% | 10% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 3.9% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| Africa | 3.5% | 1.6% | -1.9% | 2.7% | -1.1% |
| Middle East and Asia | 5.3% | 8.7% | 3.4% | 5.6% | 3.1% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.8% | 1.3% | 0.5% | 1.3% | 0.0% |
| 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 | 84.8% | 78.9% | -5.9% | 83.2% | -4.3% |
| 10+ Years | 0.8% | 13.1% | 12.3% | 9.8% | 3.3% |
| 5-10 Years | 2.7% | 3.2% | 0.5% | 2.9% | 0.3% |
| 2-5 Years | 4.5% | 1.9% | -2.6% | 2.2% | -0.3% |
| Less than 2 years | 7.2% | 2.9% | -4.3% | 1.9% | 1.0% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 68.9% | 76.7% | -7.8% |
| Ireland | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Italy | 1.8% | 0.6% | 1.2% |
| Portugal | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Poland | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Romania | 5.3% | 0.9% | 4.4% |
| Other EU countries | 2.4% | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Other Europe | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 1.1% | 0.2% | 0.9% |
| Southern Asia | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.4% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.2% |
| Oceania | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| No passport held | 15% | 13.5% | 1.5% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 35.9% | 37.2% | -1.3% |
| Christian | 51.7% | 46.2% | 5.5% |
| Hindu | 3.2% | 1.7% | 1.5% |
| Muslim | 1.6% | 6.5% | -4.9% |
| Sikh | 1.6% | 0.9% | 0.7% |
| Other religion | 2.4% | 0.6% | 1.8% |
| Not answered | 3.7% | 6.0% | -2.3% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around The Links was 13.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 89.4% lower than the Kempston Central & East average. The most reported crime type was Anti-social behaviour.
The Links has the 6th lowest crime rate of 59 local areas in Kempston Central & East and the 38th lowest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -73.8%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 The Links, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £306,000 | 2024-12-12 | £320,644 |
| 35 The Links, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £270,000 | 2024-08-30 | £280,385 |
| 33 The Links, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £232,000 | 2024-07-19 | £244,541 |
| 29 The Links, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £240,000 | 2021-06-04 | £290,599 |
| 25 The Links, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £235,000 | 2021-03-19 | £285,862 |
MK42 7LD 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.
| Full-Time Employee | 105 |
| Retired | 52 |
| Part-Time Employee | 46 |
| Self-Employed | 30 |
| Looking after home or family | 16 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 13 |
| Other | 12 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 8 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 7 |
| Unemployed | 6 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 29 |
| Human health and social work activities | 28 |
| Manufacturing | 21 |
| Education | 20 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 16 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 15 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 14 |
| Construction | 13 |
| Transport and storage | 11 |
| Other | 6 |
| Information and communication | 5 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 4 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 3 |
| Real estate activities | 2 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 2,008 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Southway Nursery School Ampthill Road , MK42 9HE | - not rated | 2,430 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 2,495 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford Road Primary School Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | - not rated | 536 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | - not rated | 542 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | 3out of 4 | 542 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary Academy Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | 2out of 4 | 600 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Camestone School Jowitt Avenue , Kempston MK42 8NW | 3out of 4 | 700 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | - not rated | 579 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 1,339 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Hastingsbury Business & Enterprise College Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | - not rated | 1,339 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 2,705 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 4out of 4 | 2,910 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daubeney Middle School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | - not rated | 579 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Robert Bruce Middle School Bedford Road , Kempston MK42 8PU | - not rated | 770 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Robert Bruce Middle School Bedford Road , Kempston MK42 8PU | - not rated | 770 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Abbey Middle School Mowbray Road , MK42 9XA | - not rated | 2,276 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Gregory's Catholic Middle School Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AT | - not rated | 2,936 yd | Voluntary aided 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 | 2,932 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 | - not rated | 687 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Greys Education Centre Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | 3out of 4 | 687 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Greys House Residential School Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | - not rated | 811 yd | Miscellaneous | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Greys House Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | - not rated | 811 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Student Support Centre Greys House , Manor Drive MK42 7AB | - not rated | 811 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caprinos Pizza | 44-46 Bunyan Road | 313 yd | |
| Costa Coffee | 234 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 411 yd | |
| Diya Royal | The Griffin, 174 Bedford Road | 561 yd | |
| Cafe Mar-Chelles | 243 Bedford Road | 573 yd | |
| Carmichael's Coffee | 166 Bedford Road | 628 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Duke Inn | The Duke Inn, 10 Woburn Road | 289 yd | |
| The Mulberry Bush | The Mulberry Bush, Springfield Centre | 461 yd | |
| Royal Oak | The Royal Oak, 91 Woburn Road | 485 yd | |
| Kempston Constitutional Club | 196a Bedford Road | 561 yd | |
| The Smiths Arms Public House Ltd | The Smiths Arms, 15 Margetts Road | 736 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domino's Pizza | 232 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 411 yd | |
| The Café Grill | 14 Bunyan Road | 455 yd | |
| Cinnamon | 2 Springfield Centre | 461 yd | |
| Mangal BBQ | 3 Springfield Centre | 461 yd | |
| Kim Hing Takeaway | 7 Springfield Centre | 461 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Sainsbury Plc (Main Store) | 252-274 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 411 yd | |
| Co-operative | 12-14 St Johns Street | 501 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 715 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cryselco Sports Field ST. JOHNS AVENUE | grass pitches | 571 yd |
| Daubeney Academy ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, tennis courts | 578 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 622 yd | |
| Robert Bruce Middle School (Closed) Bedford Road | grass pitches | 753 yd |
| Balliol Lower School BALLIOL ROAD | grass pitches, swimming pool | 847 yd |
| Southfield Tennis Courts LAUREL WALK | tennis courts | 855 yd |
| Grange Academy HALSEY ROAD | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 924 yd |
| Addison Howard Park Bedford Road | grass pitches, tennis courts | 1,058 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 | 80 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 186.1 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 19.5 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 18.8 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 50 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.