Bedford on the map

Bedford built-up area

Built-up area22.1 km² (8.5 sq mi)

Location in BedfordshireBedford sits where the marker shows within the county.

247,533
Population
84,553
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£63,265
Avg. household income
10,102
Businesses
367
People per km²
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About Bedford

Bedford is a town in Bedfordshire, England, located in the MK40 postcode area. It lies on the River Great Ouse, which has historically been important for transport and trade. The town centre features a mix of modern and traditional buildings, including the prominent Bedford Castle site and the historic Bedford Town Hall. Bedford is well-connected by road and rail, with a mainline station providing regular services to London and other major cities. The town has a diverse population and a range of cultural and community facilities, including libraries, museums, and parks. It is also home to the University of Bedfordshire, contributing to its educational and economic profile. The surrounding area includes open countryside and smaller villages, offering a balance between urban amenities and rural tranquillity.

School Ratings in Bedford

There are 77 schools in and around Bedford. Great Denham Primary School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 5 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Bedford

The average property price is £407K, with detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £505K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Bedford

Recorded crime levels are broadly in line with the national average. Anti-social behaviour is prevalent across Bedford, with 278 recorded incidents in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Bedford

Bedford sits around the middle of the national deprivation scale, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment levels are broadly typical for the area, sitting close to the national average. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Healthcare in Bedford

There are 32 GP surgeries within three miles of Bedford, the nearest being London Road Health Centre (0.5 miles away).

Local Data for Bedford

Dig deeper into the area around Bedford with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 34,602 sales

Average Price £407K
£100 , £121.48M
Detached £505K 11,097
Semi £328K 10,322
Terraced £273K 7,765
Flat £186K 4,009

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

44 Primary
12 Secondary
21 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 5

Ofsted ratings for schools in the MK40 postcode area.

Bedford Girls' School Not applicable 170 yards Bedford Free School Secondary Outstanding 0.3 miles Bedford College 16 plus Good 0.4 miles Castle Newnham School Primary 0.5 miles Bedford School Not applicable 0.6 miles Priory Primary School Primary 0.7 miles Cherry Trees Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 0.7 miles Shackleton Primary School Primary Good 0.7 miles Peter Pan Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 0.8 miles Cauldwell School Primary 0.8 miles King's Oak Primary School Primary Good 0.8 miles Polam School Not applicable Good 0.9 miles

Household Income in Bedford ONS 2023

The average total household income in Bedford is approximately £63,265 a year before tax, 14% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £45,864. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Bedford £63,265
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £45,864.

Businesses in Bedford ONS 2025

There are approximately 10,102 active businesses based in Bedford, around 41 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 90% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 191 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

10,102 Total businesses
41 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 90%
Small, 10-49 8%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Bedford IMD 2025

Bedford sits around the national average for deprivation according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment and income levels are broadly typical, reflecting a mixed local economy. The area offers a balance of residential and commercial activity common to most parts of England.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
5/10
Employment
5/10
Education
5/10
Health
5/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
5/10
Children 0-15 20%
Working age 63%
Older 65+ 17%
49,025 Children (0-15) 20%
156,376 Working Age 63%
42,125 Older (65+) 17%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 37.5% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 21.6% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Bedford 1,526 crimes · April 2026

Average Crime Area

Reported crime levels in Bedford sit broadly in line with national averages for a city of this size. Violence & sexual offences accounts for the largest share of recorded offences. The profile is typical of a well-populated area with a mix of residential and commercial activity.

Violence & Sexual Offences 528
Anti-Social Behaviour 278
Shoplifting 185
Public Order 104
Criminal Damage & Arson 94
Other Theft 79
Vehicle Crime 67
Drugs 44
Burglary 42
Other Crime 38
Robbery 21
Bicycle Theft 19
Weapons 18
Theft from Person 9
Local Policing
Bedfordshire Kingsbrook, Kempston, Cauldwell Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Bedford St Johns Train Station 0.4 miles
Bedford Train Station 0.8 miles
Kempston Hardwick Train Station 3.5 miles
Stewartby Train Station 5 miles
Millbrook (Bedfordshire) Train Station 6.3 miles
Sandy Train Station 7.6 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

South End 0.9 miles Fenlake 0.9 miles Queen's Park 1.2 miles Kempston 1.4 miles Goldington 1.4 miles Putnoe 1.4 miles Eastcotts 1.4 miles Harrowden 1.4 miles Brickhill 1.9 miles Elstow 1.9 miles Biddenham 2 miles Cardington 2.2 miles

Local Government

District Bedford
Ward Castle
Constituency Bedford
Parish Bedford, unparished area
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Bedford

Of the 100,016 households in and around Bedford, 68% are owned, 15% are socially rented and 17% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 68% Social rented 15% Private rented 17%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Bedford.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bedford

What is the population of Bedford?
Bedford has a population of approximately 247,533 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Bedford?
The average property in and around Bedford sold for about £407,064, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 17% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Bedford a deprived area?
Bedford sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Bedford?
Bedford is covered by the MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44, MK45 postcode districts.
How many schools are there in Bedford?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Bedford, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Bedford?
The nearest railway station to Bedford is Bedford St Johns Train Station, about 0.4 miles away.

Streets in Bedford 30 shown View all streets

A1 4 A421 4 A422 1 A428 5 A4280 5 A507 3 A5120 1 A6 3 A600 7 Abbey Close 4 Abbey Fields 3 Abbey Lane 1 Abbey Road 1 Abbey Square 1 Abbis Close 1 Abbott Crescent 2 Abrahams Close 1 Acacia Road 3 Acorn Close 2 Acorn Way 1 Adams Close 3 Addington Close 2 Addingtons Road 2 Addison Close 1 Adelaide Square 2 Ailesbury Road 2 Ailwyns Acre 1 Aire Walk 1 Alameda Road 2 Alameda Walk 2

Postcodes in Bedford 50 shown View all postcodes

MK40 1AA MK40 1AE MK40 1AH MK40 1AJ MK40 1AL MK40 1AN MK40 1AQ MK40 1AR MK40 1AS MK40 1AT MK40 1AW MK40 1AX MK40 1AY MK40 1AZ MK40 1BA MK40 1BH MK40 1BJ MK40 1BL MK40 1BN MK40 1BP MK40 1BS MK40 1BY MK40 1BZ MK40 1DA MK40 1DE MK40 1DG MK40 1DH MK40 1DJ MK40 1DN MK40 1DP MK40 1DQ MK40 1DS MK40 1DU MK40 1DW MK40 1DX MK40 1DY MK40 1DZ MK40 1EA MK40 1ED MK40 1EF MK40 1EG MK40 1EJ MK40 1EL MK40 1EP MK40 1EQ MK40 1EZ MK40 1FB MK40 1FD MK40 1HA MK40 1HB