Town Pop. 551

Living in Carlton (Bedford): Liveability Score 37/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Carlton (Bedford) is 37/100, built from 9 categories. Economic health is where Carlton (Bedford) most outperforms the national norm: 85/100 against a median of 67/100 across UK towns. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 41/100 against a town median of 60/100.

That makes it the 14th highest-scoring of the 20 places in the MK43 postcode district. Carlton (Bedford) is a place of extremes: 94/100 for safety against 3/100 for transport, a 91-point spread wider than roughly nine in ten UK towns. The MK43 district averages 42/100, putting Carlton (Bedford) 5 points below its own postcode area. For the surrounding area, see MK43 postcode district.

37
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Carlton (Bedford) scores 37 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Carlton (Bedford).
Or compare:
MK43 0AA MK43 1AA MK43 2AA MK43 6AZ MK43 7AA MK43 8AA MK43 9AA MK43

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
94
81.7 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 19 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Burglary 9 crimes
↑ 366% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 6 crimes
↓ 28% below national average
Public order 3 crimes
↓ 17% below national average
Other theft 2 crimes
↓ 42% below national average
other 6 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Bridgend 8 crimes
  2. 2 The Bakery 8 crimes
  3. 3 Court Lane 5 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
53
Air Quality NO₂ 5.6 · PM2.5 6.7 · PM10 11.8 µg/m³
73
Green Space 8
Parks Adequate 2
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds None

Services

Schools
5
2 schools in area · 3 within 4km
1Good1Ungraded
  • Harrold Primary AcademyPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Carlton CofE Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2024
    Ungraded

Ungraded: inspected, but Ofsted no longer issues a single overall grade (since Sept 2024).

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
8
A&E departmentsBedford Hospital South Wing6.9 mi
Northampton General Hospital12 mi
Milton Keynes University Hospital12.3 mi
Hospital waitsKettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust6.5 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks64.4%
A&E seen within 4 hrs80.2%
Nearest GP surgeryHarrold Medical Practice0.9 mi
GP capacity2,250 patients per GP
0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
41
Full fibre (FTTP)70.4%
available across Bedford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
69%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
69%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.5%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 16 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
85
Employment rate51.7%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed51.7%Unemployed3.1%Retired31.7%Student4.1%Other inactive9.4%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial49.8%Skilled & technical34.6%Routine & elementary15.6%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications9.6%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)7.4%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)14.6%Level 3 (A levels)17.1%Level 4+ (degree & above)44%Apprenticeship5%Other (incl. vocational)2.3%
Home ownership78.5%
Among the least-deprived 30% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
45
Council tax Bedford · 2026-27
A £1,648
B £1,923
C £2,197
D £2,472
E £3,021
F £3,571
G £4,120
H £4,944
Energy Eastern England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Anglian Water
Average bill regional £498/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
3
Bedford 6.5 mi
Bedford St Johns 7.2 mi
Kempston Hardwick 8 mi
J14 M1 9.9 mi
J14 M1 10 mi
J14 M1 10 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
8
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Some 1
Retail Shopping None
Takeaways None
Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Carlton (Bedford) in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Nearby places

Harrold 40 0.9 mi away ⇄
Turvey 36 2.0 mi away ⇄
Pavenham 36 2.2 mi away ⇄
Stevington 34 2.6 mi away ⇄
Felmersham 36 2.6 mi away ⇄
Lavendon 42 2.7 mi away ⇄
Sharnbrook 45 3.4 mi away ⇄
Oakley (Bedford) 44 3.7 mi away ⇄
Bozeat 43 3.7 mi away ⇄
Bromham (Bedford) 57 4.3 mi away ⇄
Stagsden 38 4.4 mi away ⇄
Podington 34 4.5 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Carlton (Bedford) a nice place to live?

Carlton (Bedford) has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Carlton (Bedford) is 37/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Carlton (Bedford)?

Carlton (Bedford) is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 45 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Carlton (Bedford)?

Among the top-rated schools in Carlton (Bedford) is Harrold Primary Academy, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Carlton (Bedford) in total.

Carlton (Bedford) in context

See the best places to live in Bedfordshire, ranked

Postcode districts in Carlton (Bedford)

MK43 42 ⇄

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