Purcell Way is in Shefford and in Mid Bedfordshire district. SG17 5RY is located in the Shefford electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Mid Bedfordshire. This postcode has been in use since 1992-08-01.
StreetScan combines information about Purcell Way, Shefford, SG17 5RY and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: SG17 5RX, SG17 5RW, SG17 5AG, SG17 5SD, SG17 5AP, SG17 5AN, SG17 5RZ, SG17 5AR, SG17 5RT.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. The area surrounding SG17 5RY has a slightly higher male population, with 52.3% 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 | 47.3% | 47.7% | 0.4% | 51.0% | -3.3% |
| Male | 52.7% | 52.3% | -0.4% | 49.0% | 3.3% |
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 SG17 5RY there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 62.6% 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 | 21.5% | 24.2% | 2.7% | 37.9% | -13.7% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 66.8% | 62.6% | -4.2% | 44.2% | 18.4% |
| Separated | 2.6% | 1.1% | -1.5% | 2.2% | -1.1% |
| Divorced | 5.3% | 7.3% | 2.0% | 9.1% | -1.8% |
| Widowed | 3.8% | 4.8% | 1.0% | 6.1% | -1.3% |
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 high percentage of residents reporting their health as Good or Very Good (93.5%) compared to the average (82%). This typically indicates either a younger population or more affluent area.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very good health | 54.9% | 55.7% | 0.8% | 48.4% | 7.3% |
| Good health | 34.4% | 37.8% | 3.4% | 33.6% | 4.2% |
| Fair health | 8.2% | 6.5% | -1.7% | 12.7% | -6.2% |
| Bad health | 2.3% | 0% | -2.3% | 4.0% | -4.0% |
| Very bad health | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.2% | -1.2% |
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 | 7.5% | 14.1% | 6.6% | 18.2% | -4.1% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 14.7% | 4.4% | -10.3% | 9.6% | -5.2% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 18.5% | 17.8% | -0.7% | 13.4% | 4.4% |
| Apprenticeship | 3.4% | 5.9% | 2.5% | 5.3% | 0.6% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 18.5% | 21.9% | 3.4% | 16.9% | 5.0% |
| Degree or Similar | 34.7% | 34.8% | 0.1% | 33.8% | 1.0% |
| Other | 2.6% | 1.1% | -1.5% | 2.8% | -1.7% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 93.8% identifying as such, significantly higher than the UK average of 81.4%. This indicates a lower level of ethnic diversity compared to the broader UK population.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 1.4% | 0% | -1.4% | 0.7% | -0.7% |
| Indian | 0% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 3.1% | -1.6% |
| Other Asian | 0.3% | 0% | -0.3% | 1.6% | -1.6% |
| Black African | 0% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 2.5% | -0.7% |
| Black Caribbean | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 1.0% | -0.7% |
| Other Black | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| Mixed White and African | 0% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 0.9% | -0.3% |
| Mixed Other | 0% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.8% | -0.2% |
| White | 97.7% | 93.8% | -3.9% | 81.4% | 12.4% |
In this area, 92.9% of the population were born in the United Kingdom, which is higher than the UK average of 83.2%.
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 94.9% | 92.9% | -2.0% | 83.2% | 9.7% |
| European Union | 0.8% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 6.1% | -3.9% |
| Africa | 1.7% | 2.5% | 0.8% | 2.7% | -0.2% |
| Middle East and Asia | 2% | 0.6% | -1.4% | 5.6% | -5.0% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 1.3% | -0.7% |
| Oceania | 0% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 94.1% | 92.9% | -1.2% | 83.2% | 9.7% |
| 10+ Years | 0% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 9.8% | -5.2% |
| 5-10 Years | 0% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 2.9% | -1.1% |
| 2-5 Years | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% | 2.2% | -1.6% |
| Less than 2 years | 5.6% | 0% | -5.6% | 1.9% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 94.2% | 76.7% | 17.5% |
| Ireland | 0.3% | 0.6% | -0.3% |
| Portugal | 0.3% | 0.5% | -0.2% |
| South and Eastern Africa | 0.9% | 0.2% | 0.7% |
| Southern Asia | 0.3% | 1.2% | -0.9% |
| No passport held | 4% | 13.5% | -9.5% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 43.7% | 37.2% | 6.5% |
| Christian | 46.7% | 46.2% | 0.5% |
| Hindu | 0.3% | 1.7% | -1.4% |
| Other religion | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Not answered | 8.4% | 6.0% | 2.4% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Purcell Way was 26.4 per 1,000 residents, which is 41.2% lower than the Meppershall & Shillington average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Purcell Way has the 8th lowest crime rate of 34 local areas in Meppershall & Shillington and the 226th lowest crime rate of 871 local areas in Central Bedfordshire .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 17.6 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -20.0%.

Households in this area have a higher level of wealth to the average household in England and Wales. 79% 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 Purcell Way, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £455,000 | 2023-09-05 | £494,830 |
| 27 Purcell Way, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £625,000 | 2023-01-25 | £660,000 |
| 22 Purcell Way, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £415,000 | 2022-05-11 | £466,213 |
| 24 Purcell Way, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £535,000 | 2021-03-25 | £660,772 |
| 12 Purcell Way, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £387,000 | 2020-09-29 | £462,822 |
SG17 5RY area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 3% 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 | 108 |
| Retired | 55 |
| Part-Time Employee | 37 |
| Self-Employed | 26 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 15 |
| Looking after home or family | 12 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 9 |
| Unemployed | 8 |
| Other | 2 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 0 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 31 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 27 |
| Manufacturing | 23 |
| Education | 23 |
| Human health and social work activities | 18 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 17 |
| Other | 12 |
| Information and communication | 12 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 8 |
| Construction | 5 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 4 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 3 |
| Transport and storage | 2 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 1 |
| Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities | 1 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shefford Lower School School Lane , SG17 5XA | 3out of 4 | 1,358 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Clifton All Saints Academy Church Street , Clifton SG17 5ES | 4out of 4 | 1,786 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Campton Academy Rectory Road , Campton SG17 5PF | - not rated | 2,549 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Raynsford Church of England Academy Park Lane , SG16 6AT | 3out of 4 | 3,185 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Southill Lower School School Lane , Southill SG18 9JA | 3out of 4 | 3,221 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Whitbread Academy Shefford Road , Clifton SG17 5QS | 3out of 4 | 596 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Bloomfield Academy Bloomfield Drive , SG17 5BU | 4out of 4 | 1,267 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Henlow Church of England Academy Church Road , SG16 6AN | 3out of 4 | 3,376 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalchini Spice | 3 Southbridge Street, Shefford | 679 yd | |
| Jakes American Diner | 4 Southbridge Street, Shefford | 714 yd | |
| Jakes American Diner | 1 High Street, Shefford | 741 yd | |
| Perfect Playland | 8D Old Bridge Way, Shefford | 787 yd | |
| Gokce Restaurant | 2 Bedford Road, Shefford | 822 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The White Hart | 2 Northbridge Street, Shefford | 713 yd | |
| The Brewery Tap | 14 Northbridge Street, Shefford | 777 yd | |
| The Cornerstone | 1 High Street, Shefford | 784 yd | |
| The Bridge | 50 High Street, Shefford | 928 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong House | 48 Clifton Road, Shefford | 161 yd | |
| Crispy Chicken & Pizza | 12 High Street, Shefford | 802 yd | |
| New Rays | 14 High Street, Shefford | 855 yd | |
| Domino's Pizza | 30 High Street, Shefford | 855 yd | |
| Shefford Kebab House | 37 High Street, Shefford | 985 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd | Supermarket, St Francis Way | 823 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bellcote Meadow BURY ROAD | grass pitches | 209 yd |
| Shefford Town Memorial Association HITCHIN ROAD | grass pitches | 388 yd |
| Samuel Whitbread Academy SHEFFORD ROAD | grass pitches, tennis courts | 528 yd |
| Swimshak Ltd ST. FRANCIS WAY | swimming pool | 780 yd |
| Shefford Sports Club HITCHIN ROAD | grass pitches | 826 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 | 130 Mbit/s |
| Average download speed | 267.6 Mbit/s |
| Minimum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum download speed | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Median upload speed | 25 Mbit/s |
| Average upload speed | 29.1 Mbit/s |
| Maximum upload speed | 75 Mbit/s |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.