Deprivation
The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2025 combines 55 indicators to produce a single overall deprivation score for every Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) in England.
Central Bedfordshire is divided into 175 LSOAs, each containing around 1,700 people. Each LSOA is identified using the name of the ward plus a unique three-digit code.
Four Central Bedfordshire LSOAs are in the 10 to 20% most deprived in England:
- Dunstable South 594
- Sandy 433
- Houghton Regis East 602
- Flitwick 400
A further eight Central Bedfordshire LSOAs are in the 20 to 30% most deprived in England:
- Eaton Bray / Heath & Reach 827
- Leighton Buzzard North 605
- Houghton Regis East 601
- Leighton Buzzard North 609
- Houghton Regis East 619
- Dunstable Central / Dunstable East / Dunstable North 568
- Dunstable North 596
- Sandy 430
Source: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), English Indices of Deprivation 2025 – Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Changes since 2019
The methodology has changed since 2019 and now includes 55 indicators (previously 39). Overall, a similar number of areas are in the most deprived ranges compared with 2019:
- four LSOAs are in the most deprived 10 to 20% in England, compared to three in 2019
- eight LSOAs are in the most deprived 20 to 30% in England, compared to ten in 2019
View the map of LSOA deprivation in Central Bedfordshire (2025)
Map description: This map shows levels of deprivation across Central Bedfordshire based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Areas shaded in dark brown represent the 0–20% most deprived parts of England, found in Dunstable South, Sandy, Houghton Regis East and Flitwick. Lighter colours show progressively less deprived areas, with the palest areas representing the 80–100% least deprived. Each boundary on the map represents a Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) containing around 1,700 people.
For further information, please contact insight@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk