Bedfordshire Administrative County (pre-1974)

Created: 1889   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.
Agriculture & Land Use

Agriculture & Land Use

How we use the land; crops and farm animals.
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.
Birthplace & Religion

Birthplace & Religion

Numbers going to church, and the kinds of churches they went to. The different religions of modern Britain.
Place marker map of Great Britain and Ireland

The following alternate names exist for this unit:

Name Status Language Start End Authority
BEDFORDSHIRE Preferred English     F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 558.
BEDFORD Alternate English     F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 558.

This unit contained the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
AMPTHILL RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
BEDFORD RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
BIGGLESWADE RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
LEIGHTON BUZZARD RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
LUTON RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
AMPTHILL UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
AMPTHILL RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
BEDFORD MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 559.
BEDFORD RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
BIGGLESWADE UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
BIGGLESWADE RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
DUNSTABLE MB Local Government District 1864 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 559.
EATON BRAY RD Local Government District 1894 1933 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
EATON SOCON RD Local Government District 1894 1934 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
HOLWELL RD Local Government District 1894 1897 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 7.
KEMPSTON UD Local Government District 1896 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
LEIGHTON BUZZARD UD Local Government District 1894 1965 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
LEIGHTON LINSLADE UD Local Government District 1965 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
LUTON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
LUTON CB/MB Local Government District 1876 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 559.
SANDY UD Local Government District 1927 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
BEDFORD Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
BIGGLESWADE Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
DUNSTABLE Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
LEIGHTON BUZZARD Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
LUTON Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project

This unit was associated with the following other units:

Nature of association Other unit involved Type of unit Authority
was succeeded by BEDFORDSHIRE Modern (post 1974) County Census of Population (2001 Key Statistics)
was preceded by BEDFORDSHIRE Ancient County F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.
was preceded by BEDFORDSHIRE Poor Law/Registration County F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 560.

This unit was part of the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
ENGLAND Dep Country 1889 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 558.

This unit was affected by the following changes:

Date Type of change Other unit involved Area transferred Authority
13 Aug 1947 was reduced to enlarge HERTFORDSHIRE part of Biggleswade RD Area: 1 acres.   1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; M. of H. Order under Section 145 of the LGA, 1933 (Alteration of water courses)
13 Aug 1947 was enlarged by gaining part of HERTFORDSHIRE part of Hitchin RD Area: 1 acres.   1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; M. of H. Order under Section 145 of the LGA, 1933 (Alteration of watercourses)
21 Dec 1956 was reduced to enlarge BUCKINGHAMSHIRE part of Ampthill RD Area: 2 acres.   1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal Changes of Boundary (between 8th April, 1951 and 23rd April, 1961)', for 'LAA, CP'.; M. of H. and Local Government Declaration under Section 145 of the LGA, 1933 (Alteration of watercourses)
21 Dec 1956 was enlarged by gaining part of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE part of Newport Pagnell RD Area: 2 acres.   1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal Changes of Boundary (between 8th April, 1951 and 23rd April, 1961)', for 'LAA, CP'.; M. of H. and Local Government Declaration under Section 145 of the LGA, 1933 (Alteration of watercourses)
28 Sep 1956 was reduced to enlarge HERTFORDSHIRE part of Biggleswade RD Area: 1 acres.   1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal Changes of Boundary (between 8th April, 1951 and 23rd April, 1961)', for 'LAA, CP'.; M. of H. and Local Government Declaration under Section 145 of the LGA, 1933 (Alteration of watercourses)
28 Sep 1956 was enlarged by gaining part of HERTFORDSHIRE part of Hitchin RD Area: 1 acres.   1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal Changes of Boundary (between 8th April, 1951 and 23rd April, 1961)', for 'LAA, CP'.; M. of H. and Local Government Declaration under Section 145 of the LGA, 1933 (Alteration of watercourses)
01 Apr 1965 was created through the abolition of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE part of Linslade UD and part of Newport Pagnell RD Area: 671 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntington and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was reduced to enlarge BUCKINGHAMSHIRE part of Ampthill RD Area: 3 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1965 was enlarged by the abolition of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE part of Linslade UD and part of Newport Pagnell RD Area: 671 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was enlarged by gaining part of CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY part of South Cambridgeshire RD Area: 444 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was created from part of CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND ISLE OF ELY part of South Cambridgeshire RD Area: 445 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntington and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was enlarged by gaining part of HERTFORDSHIRE part of Hemel Hempstead RD Area: 45 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was created from part of HERTFORDSHIRE part of Hemel Hempstead RD Area: 45 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntington and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was reduced to enlarge HERTFORDSHIRE parts of Biggleswade, Luton RDs Area: 75 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 East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The London Government Act, 1963
01 Apr 1965 was created from part of HUNTINGDONSHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH part of St. Neots RD Area: 313 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntington and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was enlarged by gaining part of HUNTINGDONSHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH part of St. Neots RD Area: 314 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was reduced to create HUNTINGDONSHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH part of Bedford RD Area: 539 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 Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964, and The Huntingdon and Peterborough order, 1964.
01 Apr 1965 was enlarged by gaining part of NORTHAMPTONSHIRE part of Oundle and Thrapston RD Area: 30 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was reduced to enlarge NORTHAMPTONSHIRE part of Bedford RD Area: 19 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 East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was created from part of NORTHAMPTONSHIRE part of Oundle and Thrapston RD Area: 30 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 Counties of Bedford and Buckingham (Leighton-Linslade) Order, 1965; The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order, 1964; The East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntington and Peterborough Order, 1964
01 Apr 1965 was reduced to enlarge NORTHAMPTONSHIRE part of Bedford RD Area: 19 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 East Midland Counties Order, 1965; The Huntingdon and Peterborough Order, 1964; The Northampton Order, 1965

Boundary Map of Bedfordshire Administrative County (pre-1974)

If the boundaries of the Administrative County 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, Bedfordshire Administrative County (pre-1974) through time, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10173048

Date accessed: 08th April 2026