Cotton End on the map

Cotton End built-up area

Built-up area0.3 km² (0.1 sq mi)

Location in BedfordshireCotton End sits where the marker shows within the county.

49,001
Population
17,630
Households
8 / 10
Deprivation decile
Among least deprived
12
Schools nearby
£70,022
Avg. household income
2,292
Businesses
356
People per km²
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About Cotton End

Cotton End is a small village located in Bedfordshire, England, within the MK45 postcode area. The village is primarily residential, offering a peaceful atmosphere for its inhabitants. It features a mix of modern homes and traditional properties, reflecting the area's development over the years. The surrounding countryside provides opportunities for leisurely walks and outdoor activities.

Local amenities are limited, but nearby towns offer a wider range of shops and services. Cotton End is well-connected by road, making it accessible for those commuting to larger towns or cities in the region. The village is also close to the River Flit, which adds to the natural appeal of the area. Overall, Cotton End serves as a quiet retreat for those seeking a slower pace of life while remaining within reach of urban conveniences.

School Ratings in Cotton End

Cotton End is served by 75 schools. Esland Bedford School and Gravenhurst Academy are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 14 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Cotton End

Property prices average £443K across the area, and detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £543K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Cotton End

Local crime rates sit lower than national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Cotton End, with 9 incidents logged in April 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Cotton End

Cotton End falls within the least deprived areas nationally, based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. The area benefits from strong employment, with few residents involuntarily out of work. Income levels across the area tend to be higher than the national average.

Healthcare in Cotton End

There are 5 GP surgeries within three miles of Cotton End, the nearest being Ache Shortstown Beds (1.1 miles away).

Local Data for Cotton End

Dig deeper into the area around Cotton End 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 7,710 sales

Average Price £443K
£100 , £42M
Detached £543K 2,983
Semi £352K 2,305
Terraced £301K 1,597
Flat £224K 509

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

44 Primary
11 Secondary
20 Other
Outstanding 2
Good 14
Requires improvement 1

Ofsted ratings for schools in the MK45 postcode area.

Cotton End Forest School Primary 0.1 miles Shortstown Primary School Primary Good 1.1 miles Eastcotts Family Hub (Bedford Borough) Good 1.1 miles Wilstead Primary School Primary 1.7 miles Elstow School Primary 1.8 miles Lakeview School Primary 1.8 miles Bedford Academy Secondary Good 2 miles Wixams Tree Primary Academy Primary 2.2 miles Wixams Academy Secondary Requires Improvement 2.2 miles Haynes Lower School Primary Good 2.2 miles Sheerhatch Primary School Primary Good 2.3 miles King's Oak Primary School Primary Good 2.3 miles

Household Income in Cotton End ONS 2023

The average total household income in Cotton End is approximately £70,022 a year before tax, 27% above the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £49,306. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Cotton End £70,022
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £49,306.

Businesses in Cotton End ONS 2025

There are approximately 2,292 active businesses based in Cotton End, around 47 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 91% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 35 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

2,292 Total businesses
47 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 91%
Small, 10-49 7%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Cotton End IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks Cotton End among the least deprived parts of England. Residents generally enjoy good access to employment and higher than average household incomes. Education and health outcomes in the area also compare favourably with the rest of the country.

Overall Deprivation
8/10
Income
8/10
Employment
8/10
Education
6/10
Health
7/10
Housing
4/10
Living Environment
7/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 62%
Older 65+ 20%
8,973 Children (0-15) 18%
30,272 Working Age 62%
9,745 Older (65+) 20%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 20.9% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 10.2% 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 Cotton End 34 crimes · April 2026

Low Crime Area

Reported crime in Cotton End falls below the national average, suggesting a comparatively safe environment. Violence & sexual offences tops the list of recorded incidents, but figures are low overall. Residents and visitors alike tend to find this a quiet and reassuring town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 12
Anti-Social Behaviour 9
Public Order 3
Vehicle Crime 3
Criminal Damage & Arson 2
Drugs 2
Other Theft 2
Burglary 1
Local Policing
Bedfordshire Wilstead, Shortstown, Willington 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 3.2 miles
Kempston Hardwick Train Station 3.3 miles
Bedford Train Station 3.7 miles
Stewartby Train Station 4.9 miles
Millbrook (Bedfordshire) Train Station 5.7 miles
Sandy Train Station 6.1 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Herring's Green 0.6 miles Littleworth 0.9 miles Shortstown 0.9 miles Cardington 1.2 miles Duck End 1.4 miles Wilstead 1.8 miles Water End 1.8 miles Eastcotts 1.8 miles Harrowden 1.8 miles Wixams 1.9 miles Elstow 2 miles Haynes 2 miles

Local Government

District Central Bedfordshire
Ward Flitwick
Constituency Mid Bedfordshire
Parish Flitwick
Region East of England

Home Ownership in Cotton End

Of the 20,371 households in and around Cotton End, 78% are owned, 11% are socially rented and 12% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 78% Social rented 11% Private rented 12%

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Cotton End

What is the population of Cotton End?
Cotton End has a population of approximately 49,001 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Cotton End?
The average property in and around Cotton End sold for about £443,170, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 27% above the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Cotton End a deprived area?
Cotton End sits among the least deprived areas in England, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 8 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Cotton End?
Cotton End is covered by the MK45 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Cotton End?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Cotton End, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Cotton End?
The nearest railway station to Cotton End is Bedford St Johns Train Station, about 3.2 miles away.

Streets in MK45 30 shown View all streets

A507 3 A5120 1 A6 2 A600 2 Abbey Close 1 Abbey Lane 1 Abbis Close 1 Acorn Close 2 Adams Close 1 Ailesbury Road 2 Alameda Road 2 Alameda Walk 2 Albert Place 1 Almers Close 1 Almond Crescent 2 Althorp Close 2 Ampthill Road 17 Andrews Close 3 Angelica Grove 1 Apple Glebe 1 Apple Tree Close 2 Aragon Road 1 Armstrong Close 3 Arnold Close 1 Arthur Street 2 Arundel Close 1 Ash Close 2 Ash Grove 1 Ash Tree Covert 1 Ashburnham Road 1

Postcodes in MK45 50 shown View all postcodes

MK45 1AA MK45 1AB MK45 1AD MK45 1AE MK45 1AF MK45 1AG MK45 1AH MK45 1AJ MK45 1AL MK45 1AN MK45 1AP MK45 1AQ MK45 1AR MK45 1AS MK45 1AT MK45 1AU MK45 1AW MK45 1AX MK45 1AY MK45 1AZ MK45 1BA MK45 1BB MK45 1BD MK45 1BF MK45 1BG MK45 1BJ MK45 1BL MK45 1BN MK45 1BP MK45 1BQ MK45 1BS MK45 1BT MK45 1BU MK45 1BW MK45 1BX MK45 1BY MK45 1BZ MK45 1DA MK45 1DB MK45 1DD MK45 1DE MK45 1DF MK45 1DG MK45 1DH MK45 1DJ MK45 1DL MK45 1DN MK45 1DP MK45 1DQ MK45 1DS