Bedford Municipal Borough (MB)

Created: 1835   Abolished: 1974

Statistics

Population

Population

Densities and rates of growth. Age structure: concentrations of young people, and of the old.
Industry

Industry

How people made their living: identifying farming communities, pit villages, mill towns and so on.
Social Structure

Social Structure

Social class and socio-economic groups. Concentrations of professionals, and of unskilled labourers.
Learning & Language

Learning & Language

How many people were at school. The distribution of graduates, and of the unqualified.
Life & Death

Life & Death

Numbers of babies born. Deaths, especially infant deaths. Causes of death by age and gender.
Work & Poverty

Work & Poverty

Unemployment rates and poor relief. What proportions of men and of women did paid work?
Housing

Housing

Numbers of houses. Overcrowding: persons per room. Amenities: central heating, baths and WCs.
Place marker map of Great Britain and Ireland

The following alternate names exist for this unit:

Name Status Language Start End Authority
BEDFORD Preferred English     F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 559.
E010002 CASWEB identifiers for 1971 Local Govt Districts English    

This unit contained the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
BEDFORD CP Parish-level Unit 1934   F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 4.
BEDFORD ST CUTHBERT AP/CP Parish-level Unit   1934 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 4.
BEDFORD ST JOHN CP/AP Parish-level Unit   1934 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 4.
BEDFORD ST MARY CP/AP Parish-level Unit   1934 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 5.
BEDFORD ST PAUL AP/CP Parish-level Unit     F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 5.
BEDFORD ST PETER CP/AP Parish-level Unit   1934 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 5.
CASTLE LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
CAULDWELL LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
DE PARYS LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
HARPUR LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
KINGSBROOK LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
NEWNHAM LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
QUEENS PARK LG_Ward Parish-level Unit     1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.

This unit was associated with the following other units:

Nature of association Other unit involved Type of unit Authority
was preceded by BEDFORD Borough Ancient District F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 559.
was succeeded by BEDFORD Built-up Area Office for National Statistics, Open Geography Portal (Built Up Areas (December 2024) Boundaries EW)

This unit was part of the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
BEDFORDSHIRE Administrative County 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 559.

This unit was affected by the following changes:

Date Type of change Other unit involved Area transferred Authority
01 Apr 1934 was enlarged by gaining part of BEDFORD RD parts of the CPs of Biddenham, Bromham, Cardington, Clapham, Eastcotts, Elstow, and Goldington Area: 2749 acres. Population in 1931: 2052.   1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 77788. The North Bedfordshire Review Order, 1934
01 Apr 1968 was enlarged by gaining part of BEDFORD RD parts of Cardington, Clapham, Eastcotts, Ravensden, Renhold CPs Area: 421 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bedford (Borough of Bedford) Order, 1967
01 Apr 1968 was reduced to enlarge BEDFORD RD Area: 1 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bedford (Borough of Bedford) Order, 1967

Boundary Map of Bedford Municipal Borough (MB)

If the boundaries of the Local Government District changed over time, this map will show all the different boundaries.

Maps Census reports

How to reference this page:

GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Bedford Municipal Borough (MB) through time, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10108287

Date accessed: 08th April 2026