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Central Bedfordshire

England / East of England / Central Bedfordshire

About

Central Bedfordshire is a district in the East of England, covering an area of approximately 716 square kilometres. It includes towns such as Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, and Biggleswade, alongside numerous villages and rural areas. The district lies between the Chiltern Hills and the Fens, offering a mix of rolling countryside and urban developments. It is well-connected by road, with the M1 and A1 passing through, and rail links to London and other major cities.

The area has a mix of agricultural land, green spaces, and commercial hubs, balancing rural and urban lifestyles. Central Bedfordshire is home to several nature reserves, including the RSPB’s The Lodge, and historic sites like Woburn Abbey. The district’s economy includes manufacturing, logistics, and retail, with growing sectors in technology and healthcare. Housing ranges from traditional cottages to modern developments, catering to a population of around 290,000.

Area overview

On average Central Bedfordshire has moderate deprivation and moderate crime levels, with around 63 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. Approximately 12.3% of homes in this area are social housing provided by a local council or housing association. The average income of residents in Central Bedfordshire is £52,563 per year. There are 136 schools in Central Bedfordshire: 97 primary (5 Outstanding and 73 Good) and 14 secondary (0 Outstanding and 9 Good).

Crime rate
5/10
Crimes per 1k residents
63
Deprivation level
3/10
Income level
7/10
Social housing
12.3%
Connectivity
N/A

Area Profile

Central Bedfordshire Population
294,252
Population density
411.2 per km²

Demographics

British
245,769
83.52%
Other White
15,516
5.27%
Indian
4,684
1.59%
African
3,942
1.34%
Irish
3,527
1.2%
Total population: 294,251

Housing

Owns with a mortgage
45,305
37.52%
Owns outright
40,618
33.64%
Private landlord or letting agency
14,329
11.87%
Other social rented
10,457
8.66%
Social rents from council
5,620
4.65%
Total households: 120,754

Property prices in Central Bedfordshire

Based on 4,211 recent sales, the median property price is £365,000 in Central Bedfordshire area, with individual transactions ranging from £50,000 up to £3,600,000.

Price per property type (last year)

Price per property type (last year)

TypeSalesMedian
Detached1,198£520,000
Flats430£195,000
Semi-Detached1,359£370,000
Terraced1,224£308,000

10 years price trend in Central Bedfordshire

All wards in Central Bedfordshire

Ampthill

Arlesey & Fairfield

Aspley & Woburn

Barton-le-Clay & Silsoe

Biggleswade East

Biggleswade West

Caddington

Clifton, Henlow & Langford

Cranfield & Marston Moretaine

Dunstable Central

Dunstable East

Dunstable North

Dunstable South

Dunstable West

Eaton Bray

Flitwick

Heath & Reach

Houghton Conquest & Haynes

Houghton Regis East

Houghton Regis West

Leighton-Linslade North

Leighton-Linslade South

Leighton-Linslade West

Meppershall & Shillington

Northill

Potton

Sandy

Shefford

Stotfold

Toddington

Westoning, Flitton & Greenfield

Data Sources

All data is sourced from official UK government agencies and public datasets. Last updated: 16/09/2025.