Walcourt Road is in Kempston, Bedford and in North Bedfordshire district. MK42 8SL is located in the Kempston Central & East electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Bedford. This postcode has been in use since 1984-02-01.
StreetScan combines information about Walcourt Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8SL and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 8TE, MK42 8SH, MK42 8SJ, MK42 8SP, MK42 8AL, MK42 8SW, MK42 8ST, MK42 8TF, MK42 8LP.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding MK42 8SL, 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 8SL 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 65.6 per 1,000 residents, which is 50.0% lower than the Kempston Central & East average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Walcourt Road has the 28th lowest crime rate of 59 local areas in Kempston Central & East and the 234th highest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 45.1 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been rising year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -69.8%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £360,000 | 2024-04-25 | £389,969 |
| 17 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £330,000 | 2023-07-21 | £349,568 |
| 27 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £325,000 | 2020-03-12 | £410,731 |
| 21 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £293,500 | 2018-10-25 | £360,127 |
| 23 Walcourt Road, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £281,000 | 2017-08-17 | £355,125 |
MK42 8SL 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 8SL 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 | 811 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 1,519 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 | 692 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cauldwell School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 3out of 4 | 780 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Road Primary School Hillgrounds Road , Kempston MK42 8QH | 2out of 4 | 1,118 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | 2out of 4 | 1,322 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Joseph's and St Gregory's Catholic Primary School Chester Road , MK40 4HN | 3out of 4 | 1,492 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 | 1,181 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 1,661 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 1,882 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 2,369 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Challenger Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 2,515 yd | Academy sponsor led | 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 | 1,667 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 | 4out of 4 | 357 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 742 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 1,255 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Greys Education Centre Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | 3out of 4 | 1,476 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Girls' School Cardington Road , MK42 0BX | - not rated | 2,001 yd | Other independent school | No | Girls | 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 | 548 yd | |
| Tiger Lily Chinese Takeaway | 112 Bedford Road | 548 yd | |
| Blue Ginger | 116 Bedford Road | 548 yd | |
| The Elephant Restaurant | 118-120 Bedford Road | 561 yd | |
| Ground Floor Coffee Shop (Kings Arms Trust) | Kings House, 245 Ampthill Road | 606 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| T Bar | The Keep, Bedford Road | 222 yd | |
| Daleys Club | 86 Bedford Road | 408 yd | |
| Addison Howard Centre | Addison Howard Park, Bedford Road | 438 yd | |
| Kempston Park Indoor Bowls Club | 290 Hillgrounds Road | 507 yd | |
| The Smiths Arms Public House Ltd | The Smiths Arms, 15 Margetts Road | 619 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Oriental Fusion | 76 Bedford Road | 408 yd | |
| Paul's Fish and Chips | 114 Bedford Road | 548 yd | |
| Desi Grill | Unit 1, 124 Ampthill Road | 722 yd | |
| Bedford Fitness Camps | 746 yd | ||
| London Sweet Centre | London Sweet Centre, 86 Ampthill Road | 784 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi | Aldi, Westville Road | 666 yd | |
| SAS Supermarket | Unit 2, 82 Ampthill Road | 796 yd | |
| Tesco | 203-207 Bedford Road | 809 yd | |
| Morrisons Service Station Shop | Morrisons, Ampthill Road | 865 yd | |
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited | Morrisons, Ampthill Road | 865 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kempston Indoor Bowls Club HILLGROUNDS ROAD | indoor bowls | 505 yd |
| Addison Howard Park Bedford Road | grass pitches, tennis courts | 568 yd |
| Kempston Pool HILLGROUNDS ROAD | health and fitness suite, swimming pool | 603 yd |
| Kempston Rovers Fc HILLGROUNDS ROAD | artificial grass pitch, grass pitches | 748 yd |
| Grange Academy HALSEY ROAD | grass pitches, health and fitness suite | 850 yd |
| Meltis Sports And Social Club MILLER COURT | grass pitches | 928 yd |
| Kempston East Methodist Church 227 227 BEDFORD ROAD | 954 yd | |
| Southfield Tennis Courts LAUREL WALK | tennis courts | 1,071 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 | 215.5 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 600 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 600 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 24.2 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 75 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.