Bedford Road is in Kempston, Bedford and in Bedford district. MK42 8PX is located in the Kempston North 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 8PX and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 8PS, MK42 8QQ, MK42 8HE, MK42 8HF, MK42 8QB, MK42 8QH, MK42 8JG, MK42 8HG, MK42 7AH.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK42 8PX has a female population much higher than UK average, with 57.7% of the population 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 | 56.1% | 57.7% | 1.6% | 51.0% | 6.7% |
| Male | 43.9% | 42.3% | -1.6% | 49.0% | -6.7% |
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 | 25.4% | 24.2% | -1.2% | 37.9% | -13.7% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 46% | 43.2% | -2.8% | 44.2% | -1.0% |
| Separated | 3.6% | 2.1% | -1.5% | 2.2% | -0.1% |
| Divorced | 12.5% | 14.7% | 2.2% | 9.1% | 5.6% |
| Widowed | 12.5% | 15.8% | 3.3% | 6.1% | 9.7% |
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.
This area has a lower percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (70.9%) 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 | 34.4% | 33.6% | -0.8% | 48.4% | -14.8% |
| Good health | 38.5% | 37.3% | -1.2% | 33.6% | 3.7% |
| Fair health | 20.2% | 17.3% | -2.9% | 12.7% | 4.6% |
| Bad health | 5.7% | 8.2% | 2.5% | 4.0% | 4.2% |
| Very bad health | 1.1% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 1.2% | 2.4% |
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 | 29.5% | 21.4% | -8.1% | 18.2% | 3.2% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 18.8% | 12.2% | -6.6% | 9.6% | 2.6% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 10.3% | 12.2% | 1.9% | 13.4% | -1.2% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.9% | 5.1% | 0.2% | 5.3% | -0.2% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 8% | 15.3% | 7.3% | 16.9% | -1.6% |
| Degree or Similar | 22.8% | 28.6% | 5.8% | 33.8% | -5.2% |
| Other | 5.8% | 5.1% | -0.7% | 2.8% | 2.3% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 75.5% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 1.9% | 9.1% | 7.2% | 1.1% | 8.0% |
| Indian | 5.7% | 3.6% | -2.1% | 3.1% | 0.5% |
| Other Asian | 1.1% | 0.9% | -0.2% | 1.6% | -0.7% |
| Black African | 1.9% | 5.5% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 3.0% |
| Black Caribbean | 1.9% | 0.9% | -1.0% | 1.0% | -0.1% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 1.5% | 0.9% | -0.6% | 0.8% | 0.1% |
| Mixed White and African | 1.1% | 0% | -1.1% | 0.4% | -0.4% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 1.1% | 2.7% | 1.6% | 0.9% | 1.8% |
| Mixed Other | 0.8% | 0% | -0.8% | 0.8% | -0.8% |
| White | 82.1% | 75.5% | -6.6% | 81.4% | -5.9% |
| Arab | 0.8% | 0% | -0.8% | 0.6% | -0.6% |
| Other | 0% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 1.6% | -0.7% |
In this area, 80% 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 | 88.9% | 80% | -8.9% | 83.2% | -3.2% |
| European Union | 4.6% | 10.9% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 4.8% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| Africa | 3.4% | 2.7% | -0.7% | 2.7% | 0.0% |
| Middle East and Asia | 3.1% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 5.6% | -1.1% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 87.8% | 80% | -7.8% | 83.2% | -3.2% |
| 10+ Years | 2.7% | 16.4% | 13.7% | 9.8% | 6.6% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.5% | 3.6% | 2.1% | 2.9% | 0.7% |
| 2-5 Years | 2.3% | 0% | -2.3% | 2.2% | -2.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 5.7% | 0% | -5.7% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 79.1% | 76.7% | 2.4% |
| Ireland | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Italy | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Lithuania | 3.6% | 0.3% | 3.3% |
| Romania | 1.8% | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.9% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| No passport held | 12.7% | 13.5% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 16.2% | 37.2% | -21.0% |
| Christian | 59.5% | 46.2% | 13.3% |
| Buddhist | 2.7% | 0.5% | 2.2% |
| Jewish | 0.9% | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Muslim | 9.9% | 6.5% | 3.4% |
| Sikh | 3.6% | 0.9% | 2.7% |
| Other religion | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Not answered | 6.3% | 6.0% | 0.3% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Bedford Road was 0.0 per 1,000 residents, matching the Kempston Central & East average.
Violent and sexual offences accounted for a small share of all recorded crimes and have remained broadly unchanged year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has risen by about 55.6%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 335 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £390,000 | 2021-06-29 | £473,026 |
| 389 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £500,000 | 2020-04-15 | £622,196 |
| 389 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Other, an established residential building | £2,880,000 | 2019-02-04 | £3,269,363 |
| 385 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £285,000 | 2016-08-12 | £400,357 |
| 387 Bedford Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £195,000 | 2006-08-31 | £392,216 |
The percentage of retired residents living in MK42 8PX area is much higher than the country's average. According to Census 2011, 39% residents of this area were retired, while the average in the UK was 14%.
| Retired | 37 |
| Full-Time Employee | 28 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 6 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 5 |
| Part-Time Employee | 5 |
| Looking after home or family | 5 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Self-Employed | 3 |
| Other | 2 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 1 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 27 |
| Human health and social work activities | 21 |
| Education | 17 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 8 |
| Construction | 8 |
| Transport and storage | 7 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 6 |
| Other | 5 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 5 |
| Information and communication | 5 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
| Real estate activities | 3 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 3 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 3 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 2,236 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 2,868 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 | 317 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Balliol Primary School Balliol Road , Kempston MK42 7ER | 3out of 4 | 702 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Camestone School Jowitt Avenue , Kempston MK42 8NW | 3out of 4 | 1,127 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | 2out of 4 | 1,204 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Rural Primary School Martell Drive , MK42 7FJ | 4out of 4 | 1,234 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 | 1,147 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Daubeney Academy Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7PS | 3out of 4 | 1,216 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 2,331 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 3,076 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 3,531 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 | 3,068 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 | 48 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 755 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ridgeway School Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 1,283 yd | Community special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | 4out of 4 | 1,686 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 2,681 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 | 264 yd | |
| DG Grill | 71 High Street | 264 yd | |
| Costa Coffee | 234 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 287 yd | |
| Caprinos Pizza | 44-46 Bunyan Road | 351 yd | |
| Cafe Mar-Chelles | 243 Bedford Road | 384 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| King William IV | King William Iv, 56 High Street | 389 yd | |
| Kempston Constitutional Club | 196a Bedford Road | 433 yd | |
| The Duke Inn | The Duke Inn, 10 Woburn Road | 447 yd | |
| Royal Oak | The Royal Oak, 91 Woburn Road | 630 yd | |
| Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club | 134 High Street | 740 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| G's Takeaway | 10 St Johns Street | 259 yd | |
| Oriental Chef | 10b St Johns Street | 259 yd | |
| Domino's Pizza | 232 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 287 yd | |
| The Café Grill | 14 Bunyan Road | 338 yd | |
| The Pearl | 12 Bunyan Road | 348 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative | 12-14 St Johns Street | 259 yd | |
| J Sainsbury Plc (Main Store) | 252-274 Saxon Centre, Bedford Road | 287 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 631 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Bruce Middle School (Closed) Bedford Road | grass pitches | 250 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 481 yd | |
| Cryselco Sports Field ST. JOHNS AVENUE | grass pitches | 625 yd |
| Balliol Lower School BALLIOL ROAD | grass pitches, swimming pool | 709 yd |
| Grange Academy HALSEY ROAD | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 720 yd |
| Kempston Hammers Sports And Social Club HIGH STREET | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 817 yd |
| Addison Howard Park Bedford Road | grass pitches, tennis courts | 977 yd |
| Daubeney Academy ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, tennis courts | 1,085 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 | 92.3% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (100Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 92.3% |
| Percentage of premises that have Ultrafast Broadband (300Mbit/s or greater) coverage from fixed broadband | 92.3% |
| Percentage of premises that have coverage from a Gigabit capable service from fixed broadband | 92.3% |
| 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 | 7.7% |
| Median download speed | 100 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 141.5 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 500 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 10 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 12.1 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.