The Luton/Dunstable Urban Area according to the Office for National Statistics is the conurbation (continuous built up area) including the settlements of Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis. Despite straddling district boundaries the conurbation shares many facilities including an integrated bus service and the large Luton and Dunstable General Hospital. The conurbation is located in the southern part of the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England, the current population (2011 census) is 258,018. This is an increase of 9.2% from the 2001 population of 236,318.