Bedford Road is in Kempston, Bedford and in Bedford district. MK42 8PS is located in the Kempston Central & East electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8PS and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 8PX, MK42 8HF, MK42 8HE, MK42 8HG, MK42 8JG, MK42 8JU, MK42 8EP, MK42 8TL, MK42 7AH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The local area around MK42 8PS is generally consistent with those figures, having a male population of 48.1%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 52.3% | 51.9% | -0.4% | 51.0% | 0.9% |
| Male | 47.7% | 48.1% | 0.4% | 49.0% | -0.9% |
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 8PS there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 52.7% 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 | 29.7% | 33.9% | 4.2% | 37.9% | -4.0% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 52.1% | 52.7% | 0.6% | 44.2% | 8.5% |
| Separated | 3% | 1.1% | -1.9% | 2.2% | -1.1% |
| Divorced | 10.3% | 6.9% | -3.4% | 9.1% | -2.2% |
| Widowed | 4.9% | 5.4% | 0.5% | 6.1% | -0.7% |
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 | 46.7% | 50.6% | 3.9% | 48.4% | 2.2% |
| Good health | 36.8% | 29.8% | -7.0% | 33.6% | -3.8% |
| Fair health | 11.8% | 17.1% | 5.3% | 12.7% | 4.4% |
| Bad health | 3.4% | 1.9% | -1.5% | 4.0% | -2.1% |
| Very bad health | 1.2% | 0.6% | -0.6% | 1.2% | -0.6% |
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.
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 22.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 21.3% | 25.1% | 3.8% | 18.2% | 6.9% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 20.9% | 13.1% | -7.8% | 9.6% | 3.5% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 20.5% | 15.6% | -4.9% | 13.4% | 2.2% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.3% | 5.8% | 0.5% | 5.3% | 0.5% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 9.5% | 15.6% | 6.1% | 16.9% | -1.3% |
| Degree or Similar | 18.3% | 22.2% | 3.9% | 33.8% | -11.6% |
| Other | 4.2% | 2.5% | -1.7% | 2.8% | -0.3% |
In this area, the population is more ethnically diverse compared to the UK average. While 71.6% 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | 10.2% | 13.6% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 10.5% |
| Pakistani | 1.5% | 0.6% | -0.9% | 2.7% | -2.1% |
| Other Asian | 2.2% | 4% | 1.8% | 1.6% | 2.4% |
| Black African | 0% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2.5% | -1.3% |
| Black Caribbean | 5% | 3.1% | -1.9% | 1.0% | 2.1% |
| Other Black | 0.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.5% | 1.4% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 1.2% | 0.9% | -0.3% | 0.8% | 0.1% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 2.2% | 1.5% | -0.7% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Mixed Other | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| White | 76.5% | 71.6% | -4.9% | 81.4% | -9.8% |
| Arab | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Other | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 1.6% | -0.7% |
In this area, 80.3% 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 | 84.5% | 80.3% | -4.2% | 83.2% | -2.9% |
| European Union | 4.6% | 6% | 1.4% | 6.1% | -0.1% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| Africa | 1.2% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 2.7% | -0.2% |
| Middle East and Asia | 7.1% | 8.5% | 1.4% | 5.6% | 2.9% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 2.2% | 2.5% | 0.3% | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| 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 | 83.3% | 79.8% | -3.5% | 83.2% | -3.4% |
| 10+ Years | 2.2% | 15.3% | 13.1% | 9.8% | 5.5% |
| 5-10 Years | 0.3% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 2.9% | 0.5% |
| 2-5 Years | 2.2% | 0.3% | -1.9% | 2.2% | -1.9% |
| Less than 2 years | 12.1% | 1.2% | -10.9% | 1.9% | -0.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 77.1% | 76.7% | 0.4% |
| Germany | 0.6% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Italy | 3.7% | 0.6% | 3.1% |
| Spain | 0.3% | 0.4% | -0.1% |
| Lithuania | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Poland | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.2% |
| Romania | 1.5% | 0.9% | 0.6% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Southern Asia | 2.8% | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| Central and South America | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Oceania | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| No passport held | 10.8% | 13.5% | -2.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 31.3% | 37.2% | -5.9% |
| Christian | 49.1% | 46.2% | 2.9% |
| Hindu | 1.5% | 1.7% | -0.2% |
| Muslim | 2.5% | 6.5% | -4.0% |
| Sikh | 7.4% | 0.9% | 6.5% |
| Other religion | 3.1% | 0.6% | 2.5% |
| Not answered | 5.2% | 6.0% | -0.8% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Bedford Road was 175.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 34.0% higher than the Kempston Central & East average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Bedford Road has the 10th highest crime rate of 59 local areas in Kempston Central & East and the 65th highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 89.3 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -84.8%.

Households in this area have a similar level level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 52% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 306 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £365,000 | 2025-05-09 | £365,000 |
| 312 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £352,000 | 2022-07-18 | £376,936 |
| 328 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £230,000 | 2019-12-19 | £284,567 |
| 330 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £230,000 | 2015-11-09 | £350,716 |
| 302 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £295,000 | 2014-11-07 | £483,744 |
MK42 8PS area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 1% 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 | 121 |
| Retired | 58 |
| Part-Time Employee | 34 |
| Self-Employed | 23 |
| Looking after home or family | 13 |
| Other | 8 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 7 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 5 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 5 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 49 |
| Human health and social work activities | 27 |
| Manufacturing | 21 |
| Construction | 13 |
| Transport and storage | 13 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 11 |
| Information and communication | 10 |
| Education | 10 |
| Other | 7 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 4 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 3 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 2 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 2 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 1 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 1 |
| Real estate 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 | 2,260 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 2,874 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 | 2out of 4 | 337 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Balliol Primary School Balliol Road , Kempston MK42 7ER | 3out of 4 | 631 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Camestone School Jowitt Avenue , Kempston MK42 8NW | 3out of 4 | 1,113 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | 2out of 4 | 1,146 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Rural Primary School Martell Drive , MK42 7FJ | 4out of 4 | 1,241 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston Challenger Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 1,091 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | 3out of 4 | 1,167 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 2,414 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 3,110 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 3,515 yd | Academy sponsor led | 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 | 3,106 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 | 86 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 808 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ridgeway School Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 1,227 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | 4out of 4 | 1,726 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 2,705 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| D Gelato | 71 High Street | 235 yd | |
| DG Grill | 71 High Street | 235 yd | |
| Costa Coffee | 234 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 299 yd | |
| Caprinos Pizza | 44-46 Bunyan Road | 337 yd | |
| Cafe Mar-Chelles | 243 Bedford Road | 429 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Duke Inn | The Duke Inn, 10 Woburn Road | 360 yd | |
| King William IV | King William Iv, 56 High Street | 374 yd | |
| Kempston Constitutional Club | 196a Bedford Road | 470 yd | |
| Royal Oak | The Royal Oak, 91 Woburn Road | 543 yd | |
| Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club | 134 High Street | 727 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| G's Takeaway | 10 St Johns Street | 185 yd | |
| Oriental Chef | 10b St Johns Street | 185 yd | |
| Domino's Pizza | 232 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 299 yd | |
| The Café Grill | 14 Bunyan Road | 360 yd | |
| The Pearl | 12 Bunyan Road | 376 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative | 12-14 St Johns Street | 185 yd | |
| J Sainsbury Plc (Main Store) | 252-274 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 299 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 673 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Bruce Middle School (Closed) Bedford Road | grass pitches | 338 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 525 yd | |
| Cryselco Sports Field ST. JOHNS AVENUE | grass pitches | 541 yd |
| Balliol Lower School BALLIOL ROAD | grass pitches, swimming pool | 649 yd |
| Grange Academy HALSEY ROAD | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 784 yd |
| Kempston Hammers Sports And Social Club HIGH STREET | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 816 yd |
| Addison Howard Park Bedford Road | grass pitches, tennis courts | 1,028 yd |
| Daubeney Academy ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, tennis courts | 1,037 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 | 92.6% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 92.6% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 92.6% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 92.6% |
| 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 | 7.4% |
| Median download speed | 100 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 140.8 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 600 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 600 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 10 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 12.2 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 40 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.