Walcourt Road is in Kempston, Bedford and in Bedford district. MK42 8SJ is located in the Kempston Central & East electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1984-10-01.
StreetScan combines information about Walcourt Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8SJ and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 8SP, MK42 8SH, MK42 8SL, MK42 8LP, MK42 8LS, MK42 8TE, MK42 8AQ, MK42 8AH, MK42 8DF.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK42 8SJ, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 54.9% 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 | 55.1% | 54.9% | -0.2% | 51.0% | 3.9% |
| Male | 44.9% | 45.1% | 0.2% | 49.0% | -3.9% |
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 | 20% | 19.6% | -0.4% | 37.9% | -18.3% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 49.8% | 46.2% | -3.6% | 44.2% | 2.0% |
| Separated | 1.4% | 2% | 0.6% | 2.2% | -0.2% |
| Divorced | 8.4% | 14.6% | 6.2% | 9.1% | 5.5% |
| Widowed | 20.5% | 17.6% | -2.9% | 6.1% | 11.5% |
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 | 32.1% | 35.3% | 3.2% | 48.4% | -13.1% |
| Good health | 37.6% | 35.7% | -1.9% | 33.6% | 2.1% |
| Fair health | 21.4% | 21.7% | 0.3% | 12.7% | 9.0% |
| Bad health | 7.7% | 5.5% | -2.2% | 4.0% | 1.5% |
| Very bad health | 1.3% | 1.7% | 0.4% | 1.2% | 0.5% |
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 8SJ this area, 31.8% 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 20.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 34.4% | 31.8% | -2.6% | 18.2% | 13.6% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 15.3% | 11.1% | -4.2% | 9.6% | 1.5% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 14.4% | 8.6% | -5.8% | 13.4% | -4.8% |
| Apprenticeship | 6.5% | 7.1% | 0.6% | 5.3% | 1.8% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 8.4% | 15.7% | 7.3% | 16.9% | -1.2% |
| Degree or Similar | 14.4% | 20.2% | 5.8% | 33.8% | -13.6% |
| Other | 6.5% | 5.6% | -0.9% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
In this area, the population is more ethnically diverse compared to the UK average. While 65.4% 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% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Indian | 11.5% | 14.8% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 11.7% |
| Pakistani | 0% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 2.7% | 1.9% |
| Other Asian | 0.9% | 1.7% | 0.8% | 1.6% | 0.1% |
| Black African | 3.8% | 3% | -0.8% | 2.5% | 0.5% |
| Black Caribbean | 0.9% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.9% | 0.4% | -0.5% | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 0.4% | 1.7% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 1.7% | 0.8% | -0.9% | 0.9% | -0.1% |
| Mixed Other | 0.9% | 0.4% | -0.5% | 0.8% | -0.4% |
| White | 79.5% | 65.4% | -14.1% | 81.4% | -16.0% |
| Arab | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.6% | 0.2% |
| Other | 0% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% | -0.3% |
In this area, 72% 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 | 79.5% | 72% | -7.5% | 83.2% | -11.2% |
| European Union | 8.5% | 14.8% | 6.3% | 6.1% | 8.7% |
| Rest of Europe | 0% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| Africa | 3.8% | 4.2% | 0.4% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Middle East and Asia | 7.3% | 6.4% | -0.9% | 5.6% | 0.8% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.9% | 1.7% | 0.8% | 1.3% | 0.4% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 78.6% | 72.3% | -6.3% | 83.2% | -10.9% |
| 10+ Years | 4.7% | 21.3% | 16.6% | 9.8% | 11.5% |
| 5-10 Years | 0% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.4% |
| 2-5 Years | 5.1% | 0.9% | -4.2% | 2.2% | -1.3% |
| Less than 2 years | 11.5% | 1.3% | -10.2% | 1.9% | -0.6% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 66.8% | 76.7% | -9.9% |
| Italy | 4.3% | 0.6% | 3.7% |
| Portugal | 0.4% | 0.5% | -0.1% |
| Lithuania | 1.7% | 0.3% | 1.4% |
| Poland | 2.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Romania | 3% | 0.9% | 2.1% |
| Other EU countries | 2.6% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Turkey | 0.9% | 0.1% | 0.8% |
| Central and Western Africa | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Southern Asia | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.5% |
| No passport held | 15.3% | 13.5% | 1.8% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 19.9% | 37.2% | -17.3% |
| Christian | 58.5% | 46.2% | 12.3% |
| Hindu | 7.2% | 1.7% | 5.5% |
| Muslim | 5.9% | 6.5% | -0.6% |
| Sikh | 5.5% | 0.9% | 4.6% |
| Not answered | 3% | 6.0% | -3.0% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Walcourt Road was 61.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 51.4% lower than the Kempston Central & East average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Walcourt Road has the 26th lowest crime rate of 59 local areas in Kempston Central & East and the 256th highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 32.8 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -70.9%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £400,000 | 2022-11-11 | £403,526 |
| 4 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £285,000 | 2016-07-15 | £383,725 |
| 12 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Semi-Detached, an established residential building | £174,500 | 2013-02-07 | £343,445 |
| 2 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £208,000 | 2012-10-24 | £386,715 |
| 6 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £200,000 | 2012-03-23 | £386,492 |
MK42 8SJ 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.
The percentage of retired residents living in MK42 8SJ 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 | 78 |
| Full-Time Employee | 55 |
| Part-Time Employee | 22 |
| Looking after home or family | 10 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 9 |
| Other | 9 |
| Self-Employed | 8 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 3 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 2 |
| Unemployed | 2 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 17 |
| Human health and social work activities | 16 |
| Manufacturing | 14 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 10 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 6 |
| Construction | 6 |
| Education | 6 |
| Transport and storage | 5 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 5 |
| Other | 4 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 4 |
| Information and communication | 2 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 1 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 1 |
| 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 | 757 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Southway Nursery School Ampthill Road , MK42 9HE | - not rated | 1,206 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 1,469 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camestone School Jowitt Avenue , Kempston MK42 8NW | 3out of 4 | 724 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cauldwell School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 3out of 4 | 727 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cauldwell School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | - not rated | 727 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Drake Lower School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | - not rated | 727 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary School Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | - not rated | 1,171 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 | 1,209 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 4out of 4 | 1,609 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 1,888 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| John Bunyan School Mile Road , MK42 9TR | - not rated | 2,272 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 2,328 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | 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 | 1,209 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Robert Bruce Middle School Bedford Road , Kempston MK42 8PU | - not rated | 1,364 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Robert Bruce Middle School Bedford Road , Kempston MK42 8PU | - not rated | 1,364 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Abbey Middle School Mowbray Road , MK42 9XA | - not rated | 1,854 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Bede's RC Middle School 112 Bromham Road , MK40 2QR | - not rated | 1,898 yd | Voluntary aided school | 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 | 1,617 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | - not rated | 328 yd | Foundation special school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St John's School Austin Canons , Bedford Road MK42 8AA | 3out of 4 | 328 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange School Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | - not rated | 794 yd | Foundation special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 794 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 1,201 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pantry | 88 Bedford Road | 526 yd | |
| Tiger Lily Chinese Takeaway | 112 Bedford Road | 526 yd | |
| Blue Ginger | 116 Bedford Road | 526 yd | |
| The Elephant Restaurant | 118-120 Bedford Road | 540 yd | |
| Ground Floor Coffee Shop (Kings Arms Trust) | Kings House, 245 Ampthill Road | 708 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| T Bar | The Keep, Bedford Road | 173 yd | |
| Addison Howard Centre | Addison Howard Park, Bedford Road | 344 yd | |
| Daleys Club | 86 Bedford Road | 379 yd | |
| Kempston Park Indoor Bowls Club | 290 Hillgrounds Road | 405 yd | |
| The Smiths Arms Public House Ltd | The Smiths Arms, 15 Margetts Road | 614 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Oriental Fusion | 76 Bedford Road | 379 yd | |
| Paul's Fish and Chips | 114 Bedford Road | 526 yd | |
| Bedford Fitness Camps | 739 yd | ||
| Boba Aloha | 136 Bedford Road | 762 yd | |
| Subway | 209-211 Bedford Road | 780 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi | Aldi, Westville Road | 734 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 780 yd | |
| SAS Supermarket | Unit 2, 82 Ampthill Road | 855 yd | |
| Morrisons Service Station Shop | Morrisons, Ampthill Road | 900 yd | |
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited | Morrisons, Ampthill Road | 900 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kempston Indoor Bowls Club HILLGROUNDS ROAD | indoor bowls | 403 yd |
| Kempston Pool HILLGROUNDS ROAD | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 502 yd |
| Addison Howard Park Bedford Road | grass pitches, tennis courts | 504 yd |
| Kempston Rovers Fc HILLGROUNDS ROAD | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 647 yd |
| Grange Academy HALSEY ROAD | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 795 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 929 yd | |
| Meltis Sports And Social Club MILLER COURT | grass pitches | 1,017 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 | 52.4 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 85.1 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 200 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 200 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 10 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 12.7 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 30.02 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.