Postcode sector · Bedford

MK42 5 area guide

Who lives in MK42 5, what homes sell for, and how it compares on crime, schools and transport.

Council: Bedford
Region: East of England
Population: 4,813 (2024)

MK42 5Postcode sector · Bedford

At a glance

What MK42 5 is like

The MK42 5 postcode sector in Bedford covers 43 live postcodes and is home to about 4,813 people in 1,751 households. 26.5% of households own their home, 53.7% rent privately and 17.2% are in social housing. The largest age group is 30–34, and 63% of adults are in work. It ranks among the more deprived parts of England. Higher-harm crime is more than double the England and Wales average.

Scores

How MK42 5 compares

Headline figures for MK42 5, set against England as a whole.

AffluenceMore

1.5/ 10

More deprived than most. Scored from 1 (most deprived in England) to 10 (least deprived).

CrimeMore

9/ 10

Higher than most: 69.0 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year vs 31.1 nationally.

TransportMore

7.0/ 10

Very good: 2 stations within a mile, 72 bus stops within 800m.

SchoolsMore

100%

Rated good or better across 1 inspected school in MK42 5.

Household incomeMore

£49,739

Average annual income before tax, higher than 41% of neighbourhoods in England and Wales.

What stands out

Worth knowing before you invest

Where MK42 5 differs most from the national average.

01
A big private rental marketPositive
53.7% of households rent privately, against 20.5% across England. Tenant demand is established here.
02
Higher crime than mostLook closer
69.0 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year, against 31.1 across England and Wales.
03
A young populationPositive
32.1% of residents are aged 20 to 34 (the peak renting age), against 19.6% across England.
04
More deprived than mostLook closer
Scores 1.5 out of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (where 1 is most deprived). Yields can be higher, but check tenant demand street by street.
05
Well connectedPositive
2 stations within a mile and 72 bus stops within a ten-minute walk.

Questions

MK42 5 FAQs

Is MK42 5 a good place to live?

Deprivation, crime, schools and transport at a glance.

It scores 1.5 out of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 10 is the least deprived in England. Higher-harm crime runs at 69.0 per 1,000 people a year, band 9 of 10 nationally. 100% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better. Transport connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10 (very good).

Is MK42 5 safe?

How recorded crime here compares with the national average.

Higher-harm crime (violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences) runs at 69.0 offences per 1,000 people a year around MK42 5, more than double the 31.1 average across England and Wales, band 9 of 10.

Who lives in MK42 5?

Age, home ownership and housing from the census.

The largest age group is 30–34, at 12.7% of residents. 26.5% of households own their home. The most common property type is purpose-built flat (47.5%).

Which council covers MK42 5?

The local authority for MK42 5 is Bedford.

MK42 5 comes under Bedford in the East of England. Council tax, planning applications and bin collections are handled there.

How well connected is MK42 5?

Connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10.

There are 72 bus stops within 800m and 2 stations and tram stops within a mile, scoring 7.0 out of 10 (very good). The nearest station is Bedford St Johns Rail Station, 0.3 miles away.

Sources: Census 2021 (ONS); ONS mid-year population estimates; police recorded crime; the English, Welsh and Scottish indices of deprivation; ONS small area income estimates; ONS private rents; DfE, Welsh and Scottish school registers and Ofsted; DfT NaPTAN; ORR estimates of station usage; HM Land Registry Price Paid Data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right.

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