Beacon Close is in Shefford and in Central Bedfordshire district. SG17 5ZE is located in the Shefford electoral ward, within the English Parliamentary constituency of Mid Bedfordshire. This postcode has been in use since 2017-08-01.
StreetScan combines information about Beacon Close, Shefford, SG17 5ZE and displays a report on the quality of life in this place and its surroundings.
Nearby postcodes are: SG17 5QD, SG17 5RT, SG17 5JG, SG17 5AN, SG17 5BY, SG17 5AG, SG17 5BG, SG17 5JA, SG17 5JB.
In the UK, the overall gender distribution is approximately 49% male and 51% female. However, the area surrounding SG17 5ZE, has a female population slightly higher than UK average, with 53.1% 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 | 52.5% | 53.1% | 0.6% | 51.0% | 2.1% |
| Male | 47.5% | 46.9% | -0.6% | 49.0% | -2.1% |
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 5ZE there is a very large concentration of residents that are married - 54.3% 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 | 23.7% | 27.2% | 3.5% | 37.9% | -10.7% |
| Married: Opposite sex | 54.4% | 54.3% | -0.1% | 44.2% | 10.1% |
| Separated | 3.1% | 2.5% | -0.6% | 2.2% | 0.3% |
| Divorced | 11% | 10.7% | -0.3% | 9.1% | 1.6% |
| Widowed | 7.9% | 5.3% | -2.6% | 6.1% | -0.8% |
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 (88.5%) 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 | 52.9% | 57% | 4.1% | 48.4% | 8.6% |
| Good health | 30.4% | 31.5% | 1.1% | 33.6% | -2.1% |
| Fair health | 12.7% | 7.7% | -5.0% | 12.7% | -5.0% |
| Bad health | 3.6% | 2.4% | -1.2% | 4.0% | -1.6% |
| Very bad health | 0.4% | 1.4% | 1.0% | 1.2% | 0.2% |
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 | 15.4% | 16.4% | 1.0% | 18.2% | -1.8% |
| 1-4 GCSEs or Equivalent | 14% | 11.5% | -2.5% | 9.6% | 1.9% |
| 5 or more GCSEs, an A-Level or 1-2 AS Levels | 18.4% | 11.5% | -6.9% | 13.4% | -1.9% |
| Apprenticeship | 5.7% | 5.3% | -0.4% | 5.3% | 0.0% |
| HNC, HND or 2+ A Levels | 11% | 18.4% | 7.4% | 16.9% | 1.5% |
| Degree or Similar | 34.6% | 36.9% | 2.3% | 33.8% | 3.1% |
| Other | 0.9% | 0% | -0.9% | 2.8% | -2.8% |
In this area, the population is predominantly white, with 95.2% 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 | 0.4% | 1.4% | 1.0% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| Indian | 1.8% | 2.1% | 0.3% | 3.1% | -1.0% |
| Mixed White and Asian | 0.7% | 0.3% | -0.4% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| Mixed White and Caribbean | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1% | 0.9% | -0.6% |
| Mixed Other | 1.8% | 0.3% | -1.5% | 0.8% | -0.5% |
| White | 94.9% | 95.2% | 0.3% | 81.4% | 13.8% |
| Other | 0% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 1.6% | -1.3% |
In this area, 93.4% 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 | 95.7% | 93.4% | -2.3% | 83.2% | 10.2% |
| European Union | 0.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 6.1% | -2.3% |
| Africa | 1.1% | 0.3% | -0.8% | 2.7% | -2.4% |
| Middle East and Asia | 1.8% | 1.4% | -0.4% | 5.6% | -4.2% |
| The Americas and the Caribbean | 0% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1.3% | -0.6% |
| Oceania | 0.7% | 0.3% | -0.4% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| 2011 | 2021 | 10y change (pp) | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born in the UK | 94.6% | 93.7% | -0.9% | 83.2% | 10.5% |
| 10+ Years | 0.4% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 9.8% | -5.6% |
| 5-10 Years | 1.4% | 1.7% | 0.3% | 2.9% | -1.2% |
| Less than 2 years | 3.6% | 0.3% | -3.3% | 1.9% | -1.6% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 88.9% | 76.7% | 12.2% |
| Ireland | 1% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Romania | 2.4% | 0.9% | 1.5% |
| Other EU countries | 0.3% | 1.5% | -1.2% |
| Eastern Asia | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| North America and the Caribbean | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| No passport held | 6.6% | 13.5% | -6.9% |
| 2021 | UK Average | postcode vs UK (pp) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No religion | 45.8% | 37.2% | 8.6% |
| Christian | 49% | 46.2% | 2.8% |
| Sikh | 2.1% | 0.9% | 1.2% |
| Other religion | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Not answered | 2.4% | 6.0% | -3.6% |
Over the last 12 months, the overall crime rate around Beacon Close was 57.0 per 1,000 residents, which is 26.9% higher than the Meppershall & Shillington average. The most reported crime type was Violence and sexual offences.
Beacon Close has the 16th highest crime rate of 34 local areas in Meppershall & Shillington and the 350th highest crime rate of 871 local areas in Central Bedfordshire .
Violent and sexual offences accounted for around 31.6 crimes per 1,000 residents and have been falling year on year. Over the last decade, overall crime has fallen by about -5.0%.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Beacon Close, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £435,000 | 2024-07-31 | £483,537 |
| 2 Beacon Close, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £475,000 | 2023-06-30 | £511,837 |
| 2 Beacon Close, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £415,000 | 2020-09-28 | £496,308 |
| 2 Beacon Close, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £415,000 | 2018-04-13 | £501,419 |
| 1 Beacon Close, Shefford, Central Bedfordshire Detached, an established residential building | £395,000 | 2018-01-11 | £483,337 |
SG17 5ZE area has a high level of entrepreneurship. Only 19% of streets have higher percent of entrepreneur residents. 13% of population in this area is self-employed, while the average in the UK is 9.7%. High number of entrepreneurs usually leads to relatively high economic growth, higher paid jobs and better quality of life in the area.
SG17 5ZE area has a low unemployment rate. According to Census 2021, 2% 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 | 87 |
| Retired | 72 |
| Self-Employed | 31 |
| Part-Time Employee | 27 |
| Student (economically inactive) | 13 |
| Full-Time Student (with or without job) | 7 |
| Unemployed | 4 |
| Looking after home or family | 3 |
| Other | 0 |
| Long-Term Sick or disabled | 0 |
| Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles | 22 |
| Human health and social work activities | 19 |
| Manufacturing | 15 |
| Construction | 14 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 14 |
| Education | 12 |
| Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 11 |
| Information and communication | 8 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 8 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 6 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 6 |
| Transport and storage | 5 |
| Real estate activities | 5 |
| Other | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shefford Lower School School Lane , SG17 5XA | 3out of 4 | 1,290 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 | 2,448 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Raynsford Church of England Academy Park Lane , SG16 6AT | 3out of 4 | 3,151 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Meppershall Church of England Academy 107 High Street , SG17 5LZ | - not rated | 3,247 yd | Academy converter | No | 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 | 562 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 | 1,190 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Henlow Church of England Academy Church Road , SG16 6AN | 3out of 4 | 3,352 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 | 691 yd | |
| Perfect Playland | 8D Old Bridge Way, Shefford | 730 yd | |
| Jakes American Diner | 4 Southbridge Street, Shefford | 732 yd | |
| Jakes American Diner | 1 High Street, Shefford | 762 yd | |
| Rose Buds @ Duck Lane | 2-4 High Street, Shefford | 852 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The White Hart | 2 Northbridge Street, Shefford | 747 yd | |
| The Cornerstone | 1 High Street, Shefford | 788 yd | |
| The Brewery Tap | 14 Northbridge Street, Shefford | 831 yd | |
| The Bridge | 50 High Street, Shefford | 922 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong House | 48 Clifton Road, Shefford | 68 yd | |
| Crispy Chicken & Pizza | 12 High Street, Shefford | 818 yd | |
| New Rays | 14 High Street, Shefford | 863 yd | |
| Domino's Pizza | 30 High Street, Shefford | 863 yd | |
| Shefford Kebab House | 37 High Street, Shefford | 968 yd |
| Business Name | Address | Food hygiene rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd | Supermarket, St Francis Way | 793 yd |
| Facility Name | Sport Objects | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Shefford Town Memorial Association HITCHIN ROAD | grass pitches | 224 yd |
| Bellcote Meadow BURY ROAD | grass pitches | 411 yd |
| Samuel Whitbread Academy SHEFFORD ROAD | grass pitches, tennis courts | 509 yd |
| Shefford Sports Club HITCHIN ROAD | grass pitches | 602 yd |
| Swimshak Ltd ST. FRANCIS WAY | swimming pool | 769 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% |
Broadband statistics are based on Ofcom's Communications Market Report (CMR) 2022.