West End is in Elstow, Bedford and in North Bedfordshire district. MK42 9XR is located in the Cauldwell electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Mid Bedfordshire. This postcode has been in use since 1980-01-01.
StreetScan combines information about West End, Elstow, Bedford, MK42 9XR and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: MK42 9XQ, MK42 9YZ, MK42 9YY, MK42 9QT, MK42 9QS, MK42 9RA, MK42 9EB, MK42 9QL, MK42 9YX.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding MK42 9XR has a slightly higher male population, with 50.8% of residents being male. Several factors can contribute to this, including areas with industries or sectors that predominantly employ men, proximity to universities or technical schools with a higher enrollment of male students, presence of all-male or predominantly male institutions (military academies, boarding schools).
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 49.1% | 49.2% | 0.1% | 51.0% | -1.8% |
| Male | 50.9% | 50.8% | -0.1% | 49.0% | 1.8% |
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 | 27.9% | 35% | 7.1% | 37.9% | -2.9% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 59.1% | 49.8% | -9.3% | 44.2% | 5.6% |
| Married: Same sex | 0.7% | 1.8% | 1.1% | 0.3% | 1.5% |
| Separated | 1.9% | 1.4% | -0.5% | 2.2% | -0.8% |
| Divorced | 7.8% | 7.4% | -0.4% | 9.1% | -1.7% |
| Widowed | 2.6% | 4.6% | 2.0% | 6.1% | -1.5% |
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 | 49.7% | 41.3% | -8.4% | 48.4% | -7.1% |
| Good health | 37.2% | 43.4% | 6.2% | 33.6% | 9.8% |
| Fair health | 10.1% | 10.8% | 0.7% | 12.7% | -1.9% |
| Bad health | 1.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 4.0% | -0.1% |
| 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 20.9%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications | 14.9% | 21.3% | 6.4% | 18.2% | 3.1% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 19.7% | 10.8% | -8.9% | 9.6% | 1.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 17.8% | 15% | -2.8% | 13.4% | 1.6% |
| Apprenticeship | 4.5% | 8.4% | 3.9% | 5.3% | 3.1% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 10.8% | 19.9% | 9.1% | 16.9% | 3.0% |
| Degree or Similar | 27.1% | 20.9% | -6.2% | 33.8% | -12.9% |
| Other | 5.2% | 3.8% | -1.4% | 2.8% | 1.0% |
This area closely mirrors the overall ethnic composition of the UK, with 78.5% of the population identifying as white, with UK average of 81.4%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladeshi | 0% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Chinese | 0% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.7% | 0.5% |
| Indian | 10.4% | 5.8% | -4.6% | 3.1% | 2.7% |
| Pakistani | 1.8% | 0.3% | -1.5% | 2.7% | -2.4% |
| Other Asian | 0% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| Black African | 1.5% | 2.4% | 0.9% | 2.5% | -0.1% |
| Black Caribbean | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0.3% | 1.0% | 0.5% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.6% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| Mixed White and African | 0.9% | 0% | -0.9% | 0.4% | -0.4% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 1.2% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.9% | 1.8% |
| Mixed Other | 0.3% | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.8% | 0.1% |
| White | 80.1% | 78.5% | -1.6% | 81.4% | -2.9% |
| Arab | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Other | 2.1% | 1.2% | -0.9% | 1.6% | -0.4% |
In this area, 75.8% 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 | 85.4% | 75.8% | -9.6% | 83.2% | -7.4% |
| European Union | 5.4% | 13.3% | 7.9% | 6.1% | 7.2% |
| Rest of Europe | 0.6% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| Africa | 1.8% | 2.7% | 0.9% | 2.7% | 0.0% |
| Middle East and Asia | 5.7% | 6.3% | 0.6% | 5.6% | 0.7% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 1.2% | 0% | -1.2% | 1.3% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 84.2% | 75.8% | -8.4% | 83.2% | -7.4% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 9.8% | 3.5% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.8% | 8.2% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 5.3% |
| 2-5 Years | 5.4% | 1.5% | -3.9% | 2.2% | -0.7% |
| Less than 2 years | 8.6% | 1.2% | -7.4% | 1.9% | -0.7% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 71.4% | 76.7% | -5.3% |
| Ireland | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Italy | 2.1% | 0.6% | 1.5% |
| Lithuania | 1.5% | 0.3% | 1.2% |
| Poland | 4.5% | 1.3% | 3.2% |
| Romania | 3.9% | 0.9% | 3.0% |
| Other Europe | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 1.2% | 0.2% | 1.0% |
| Eastern Asia | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Southern Asia | 0.3% | 1.2% | -0.9% |
| South-East Asia | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| No passport held | 13% | 13.5% | -0.5% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 34.5% | 37.2% | -2.7% |
| Christian | 48.9% | 46.2% | 2.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Hindu | 3% | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| Muslim | 3.9% | 6.5% | -2.6% |
| Sikh | 3.3% | 0.9% | 2.4% |
| Not answered | 5.7% | 6.0% | -0.3% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around West End was 35.3 per 1,000 residents, which is 78.4% lower than the Cauldwell average. The most reported crime type was Anti-social behaviour.
West End has the 9th lowest crime rate of 82 local areas in Cauldwell and the 152nd lowest crime rate of 543 local areas in Bedford .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 5.9 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -54.5%.

Households in this area have a higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 80% of analyzed areas in England and Wales have lower average household annual income than this area.

| Address | Sale Price | Sale Date | Price Estimate 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 West End, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £201,000 | 2025-07-23 | £206,269 |
| 4 West End, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £220,000 | 2025-02-12 | £228,428 |
| 4 West End, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £220,000 | 2025-02-12 | £228,428 |
| 2 West End, Bedford, Bedford Terraced, an established residential building | £172,500 | 2024-11-14 | £181,787 |
| 15 West End, Bedford, Bedford Detached, an established residential building | £410,000 | 2023-10-27 | £430,418 |
MK42 9XR area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 0% 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 | 118 |
| Retired | 74 |
| Part-Time Employee | 26 |
| Self-Employed | 17 |
| Other | 14 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 13 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 8 |
| Looking after home or family | 7 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 5 |
| Unemployed | 0 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 34 |
| Manufacturing | 22 |
| Education | 21 |
| Human health and social work activities | 20 |
| Construction | 19 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 16 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 12 |
| Transport and storage | 10 |
| Information and communication | 8 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 8 |
| Other | 7 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 6 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 5 |
| Real estate activities | 5 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Pan Nursery School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 4out of 4 | 1,261 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School Hawkins Road , MK42 9LS | 4out of 4 | 1,396 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 | 699 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Springfield Primary School Orchard Street , Kempston MK42 7LJ | 2out of 4 | 838 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Elstow School Abbeyfields Road Abbeyfields , Elstow MK42 9GP | 3out of 4 | 994 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cauldwell School Edward Road , MK42 9DR | 3out of 4 | 1,226 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Shackleton Primary School Pearcey Road , MK42 9LZ | 3out of 4 | 1,453 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 | 711 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Academy Mile Road , MK42 9TR | 3out of 4 | 1,772 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Free School Cauldwell Street , MK42 9AD | 3out of 4 | 2,118 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Kempston Challenger Academy Hill Rise , Kempston MK42 7EB | 3out of 4 | 2,556 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Biddenham International School and Sports College Biddenham Turn , MK40 4AZ | 3out of 4 | 2,950 yd | Foundation 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 | 2,189 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 | 1,352 yd | Academy special converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Grange Academy Halsey Road , Kempston MK42 8AU | 3out of 4 | 1,482 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| E-Spired Centre of Excellence The Raleigh Centre , Ampthill Road MK42 9HE | - not rated | 1,577 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Greys Education Centre Manor Drive , Kempston MK42 7AB | 3out of 4 | 1,836 yd | Academy alternative provision converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bedford Girls' School Cardington Road , MK42 0BX | - not rated | 2,302 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service | Bedfordshire And Luton Fire And Rescue Service, Southfields Road | 425 yd | |
| The Cottage | 206 High Street | 467 yd | |
| Ground Floor Coffee Shop (Kings Arms Trust) | Kings House, 245 Ampthill Road | 471 yd | |
| Red Lion (Sizzling Pub Co) | The Red Lion, High Street | 503 yd | |
| St Helena | St Helena, High Street | 503 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Mulberry Bush | The Mulberry Bush, Springfield Centre | 908 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desi Grill | Unit 1, 124 Ampthill Road | 907 yd | |
| Cinnamon | 2 Springfield Centre | 908 yd | |
| Mangal BBQ | 3 Springfield Centre | 908 yd | |
| Kim Hing Takeaway | 7 Springfield Centre | 908 yd | |
| Village Peri-Peri | 20 Gostwick Road | 939 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | 13 Beauvais Square | 694 yd | |
| Aldi | Aldi, Westville Road | 981 yd | |
| SAS Supermarket | Unit 2, 82 Ampthill Road | 1,091 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Southfield Tennis Courts LAUREL WALK | tennis courts | 521 yd |
| Meltis Sports And Social Club MILLER COURT | grass pitches | 754 yd |
| Daubeney Academy ORCHARD STREET | grass pitches, tennis courts | 806 yd |
| Elstow Playing Field WILSTEAD ROAD | grass pitches | 813 yd |
| Abbey Middle School (Closed) Mowbray Road | grass pitches, swimming pool | 923 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 | 79.9 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 96.3 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 350 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 20 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 16.4 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 35 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.