Postcode · Bedford

MK42 8DE area guide

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

Neighbourhood: Kempston Central & East
Council: Bedford
Region: East of England
Neighbourhood population: 1,568 (2024)

MK42 8DEBedford

At a glance

What MK42 8DE is like

MK42 8DE is a postcode in the Kempston Central & East area of Bedford. Because census and crime data isn’t published for single postcodes, the figures here cover the surrounding neighbourhood of about 1,568 people. 48.4% of households own their home, 27.9% rent privately and 19.2% are in social housing. The largest age group is 30–34, and 60.7% of adults are in work. It ranks among the more deprived parts of England. Higher-harm crime is broadly in line with 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 8DE compares

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

AffluenceMore

3.0/ 10

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

CrimeMore

6/ 10

Around the middle: 29.1 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

7.0/ 10

Very good: 2 stations within a mile, 24 bus stops within 800m.

SchoolsMore

100%

Rated good or better across 15 inspected schools within 1 mile.

Household incomeMore

£52,761

Average annual income before tax, higher than 50% of neighbourhoods in England and Wales.

What stands out

Worth knowing before you invest

Where MK42 8DE differs most from the national average.

01
More deprived than mostLook closer
Scores 3.0 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.
02
A big private rental marketPositive
27.9% of households rent privately, against 20.5% across England. Tenant demand is established here.
03
Prices risingPositive
The median sale price in MK42 8 is up 6.8% on the year before.
04
Well connectedPositive
2 stations within a mile and 24 bus stops within a ten-minute walk.
05
Well-rated schoolsPositive
100% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better.

Questions

MK42 8DE FAQs

Is MK42 8DE a good place to live?

Deprivation, crime, schools and transport at a glance.

It scores 3.0 out of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 10 is the least deprived in England. Higher-harm crime runs at 29.1 per 1,000 people a year, band 6 of 10 nationally. 100% of the inspected schools nearby are rated good or better. Transport connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10 (very good).

How much does a house cost in MK42 8DE?

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.

Is MK42 8DE safe?

How recorded crime here compares with the national average.

Higher-harm crime (violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences) runs at 29.1 offences per 1,000 people a year around MK42 8DE, broadly in line with the 31.1 average across England and Wales, band 6 of 10.

Who lives in MK42 8DE?

Age, home ownership and housing from the census.

The largest age group is 30–34, at 8.6% of residents. 48.4% of households own their home. The most common property type is semi-detached (34.8%).

Which council covers MK42 8DE?

The local authority for MK42 8DE is Bedford.

MK42 8DE comes under Bedford in the East of England. Council tax, planning applications and bin collections are handled there.

How well connected is MK42 8DE?

Connectivity scores 7.0 out of 10.

There are 24 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, 0.7 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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