MK40 1BL is an up-and-coming urban area on Prebend Street, 0.9km from Cauldwell in Bedford. Administratively it sits within Castle ward and the Bedford constituency.
An affordable area with active regeneration, MK40 1BL is a busy family neighbourhood — lots of children, diverse backgrounds. The daytime character shifts — non-white workforce in manufacturing and transport. An average age of 34 points to a young professional and early-career population — ambitious, mobile, and predominantly renting. 26% of homes are socially rented, reflecting the area's public housing provision and council presence. The area has a notably diverse population — 54% of residents identify as non-white, reflecting the multicultural character of this part of Bedford.
Safety: Crime rates are above average at 136 incidents per 1,000 residents — worth reviewing the crime breakdown below. Property: With prices averaging £162k, this is one of the more affordable postcodes in the area. The Index of Multiple Deprivation places this area in the most deprived 20% nationally — this often means more affordable prices and active local authority investment, but also fewer amenities and higher benefit dependency.
Census 2021 statistics for MK40 1BL are sourced from Output Area E00173777 (shared with 1092 postcodes in this micro-neighbourhood). Property prices come from HM Land Registry.
PREBEND STREET, MK40 1BL House Prices & Local Information
Comprehensive demographic deep-dive and infrastructure audit for PREBEND STREET, MK40 1BL.
320
34
£ 47,300 /yr
56%
Neighbourhood Index
infoHow calculated?Score 1–10 — how this postcode ranks nationally (10 = top 10%)
Index Insight: Employment metrics are below the national average, which typically reflects either economic deprivation or a highly retired population.
Area Character
Cultural diversity defines MK40 1BL — 54% of the population identifies from a non-white background, making this a vibrant, multicultural neighbourhood with strong community networks. Crime is above average; much reflects high urban footfall rather than community risk.
mapGeographic Location
Demographic Deep-Dive
The Census 2021 data below shows the full population breakdown for MK40 1BL. The average age is 33.8. Figures are sourced from the Office for National Statistics and cover ethnicity, age, religion, education, occupation, housing tenure, and more.
Ethnicity Profile
Economic Activity
Community Makeup: A dynamic neighborhood of mid-career renters. The average age points to active professionals living in rental accommodation.
home Property Prices by Type
Flat
£ 157,000
5 sales · Mean £ 165,400
gavel Crime Overview 12 Months (up to 2026-02)
Crime around MK40 1BL is above average at 136 per 1,000 residents. The most reported categories are violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. Commercial streets and transport hubs naturally generate more incidents than quiet residential roads.
school Local Schools
Bedford Free School
Priory Primary School
Peter Pan Nursery School
Cauldwell School
Queen's Park Academy
St John's School
Livingstone Primary School
St Joseph's and St Gregory's Catholic Primary School
storefront Nearby Amenities
Retailers - Other
114 nearby- O M Pharmacy0.8 km
- Shaya Convenience Store0.8 km
- Clinton Cards0.6 km
- D P Clarke Family Butchers Ltd0.5 km
- G C H Fishmongers Ltd0.9 km
- + 109 more
Pub, NightClub
46 nearby- Kalooki Club1.0 km
- Lucky 110.8 km
- The Bedford Club Restaurant0.9 km
- Six's0.7 km
- Slug & Lettuce Bedford0.6 km
- + 41 more
Restaurant, Cafe
130 nearby- AMBER COMBO0.8 km
- Dougal's Kitchen @ The Flowerpot0.8 km
- Marmaris Grill Ltd0.8 km
- Peri Peri & Pizza0.8 km
- Ayanis Restaurant0.7 km
- + 125 more
Takeaway Shop
65 nearby- King Kebab V’Jay’s Indian0.8 km
- New Delicacies of China0.8 km
- Panshi0.8 km
- Vision Nutrition0.8 km
- Pepe's Piri Piri0.4 km
- + 60 more
Supermarkets
15 nearby- Iceland Foods Ltd0.7 km
- Iceland Frozen Foods Plc0.5 km
- Essential Supermarket0.4 km
- Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited0.8 km
- M-C-N Store Limited0.2 km
- + 10 more
Hotel, B&B, Guest House
5 nearby- Victoria Guest House1.0 km
- The Grafton0.2 km
- Distinct Group Ltd at The Swan Hotel0.6 km
- Mercure0.6 km
- Premier Inn0.3 km
train Transport Links
Train Stations
- Bedford Station0.5 km
- Bedford St Johns0.6 km
- Bedford1.0 km
Bus Stops
- Grafton Hotel0.2 km
- Alexandra Road0.2 km
- Alexandra Road0.2 km
- River Street0.3 km
- River Street0.3 km
Generated by PostcodeInfo.uk
Postcode Profile: MK401BL · Data under Open Government Licence