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Postcode sector · Bedford

MK42 8 area guide

Who lives in MK42 8, what homes sell for, and how it compares on crime, schools and transport.

Council
Bedford
Region
East of England
Population
19,357 (2024)
At a glance

What MK42 8 is like

The MK42 8 postcode sector in Bedford covers 233 live postcodes and is home to about 19,357 people in 7,582 households. 55.3% of households own their home, 24.9% rent privately and 18.4% are in social housing. The largest age group is 30–34, and 60% of adults are in work. On deprivation, it sits near the middle of the scale for England. Higher-harm crime is well above the England and Wales average. Homes in MK42 8 sold for a median of £315,000 over the year to August 2026.

Scores

How MK42 8 compares

Headline figures for MK42 8, set against England as a whole.

AffluenceMore
4.2/ 10

Around the middle. Scored from 1 (most deprived in England) to 10 (least deprived).

CrimeMore
8/ 10

Higher than most: 47.2 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year vs 31.1 nationally.

House pricesMore
£315,000

Median over 92 sales in MK42 8, +6.8% on the year before.

TransportMore
3.0/ 10

Limited: 0 stations within a mile, 32 bus stops within 800m.

SchoolsMore
100%

Rated good or better across 6 inspected schools in MK42 8.

Household incomeMore
£53,667

Average annual income before tax, higher than 52% of neighbourhoods in England and Wales.

What stands out

Worth knowing before you invest

Where MK42 8 differs most from the national average.

  1. 01
    Higher crime than mostLook closer

    47.2 higher-harm crimes per 1,000 people a year, against 31.1 across England and Wales.

  2. 02
    A big private rental marketPositive

    24.9% of households rent privately, against 20.5% across England. Tenant demand is established here.

  3. 03
    Prices risingPositive

    The median sale price in MK42 8 is up 6.8% on the year before.

  4. 04
    Well-rated schoolsPositive

    100% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better.

Questions

MK42 8 FAQs

01
Is MK42 8 a good place to live?

Deprivation, crime, schools and transport at a glance.

It scores 4.2 out of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 10 is the least deprived in England. Higher-harm crime runs at 47.2 per 1,000 people a year, band 8 of 10 nationally. 100% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better. Transport connectivity scores 3.0 out of 10 (limited).
02
How much does a house cost in MK42 8?

The median sale price over the last year was £315,000.

Homes in MK42 8 sold for a median of £315,000 across 92 sales in the year to August 2026, +6.8% on the year before. Prices come from HM Land Registry’s record of every residential sale.
03
Is MK42 8 safe?

How recorded crime here compares with the national average.

Higher-harm crime (violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences) runs at 47.2 offences per 1,000 people a year around MK42 8, well above the 31.1 average across England and Wales, band 8 of 10.
04
Who lives in MK42 8?

Age, home ownership and housing from the census.

The largest age group is 30–34, at 8.1% of residents. 55.3% of households own their home. The most common property type is semi-detached (36.1%).
05
Which council covers MK42 8?

The local authority for MK42 8 is Bedford.

MK42 8 comes under Bedford in the East of England. Council tax, planning applications and bin collections are handled there.
06
How well connected is MK42 8?

Connectivity scores 3.0 out of 10.

There are 32 bus stops within 800m and 0 stations and tram stops within a mile, scoring 3.0 out of 10 (limited). The nearest station is Bedford Rail Station, 1.2 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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