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Households and Housing
The average size of the household continues to decline; in 1951 it
was 2.80 persons ; compared with 3.32 in 1931. Almost half of all
households are of one or two persons, though most of the houses in
the Borough were built at the end of the nineteenth century and were
designed for the larger families of that period. Many of these houses
are now occupied by 2 or more families and in consequence amenities
have to be shared and in many cases families are denied access to them.
But on the other hand 5,882 households consist of only one person
and 10,998 of two persons. These 16,880 small households occupy
between them 54,507 rooms—an average of about 2 rooms per person.
Although the total number of occupied rooms in the Borough has
increased since 1931 by 2,817 the number of households has increased
by 6,443 and the average number of persons per room has risen from
0.72 to 0.73. 63.5% of households share a dwelling at an average
of 3.85 rooms per household.
Overcrowding represented by the number of persons living more
than 2 persons to a room is 1.39% (1931 figure 2.56%). There are now
279 families in this category. If the standards adopted by this Council
in relation to rehousing were used (over 1£ persons per room) the
number of overcrowded families would be 1,627. The standard of the
Housing Act 1936 would give a different figure but from the census
figures it is not possible to differentiate between children under and
over 10 years nor to allow for separation of the sexes.
Household Arrangements
For the first time the census had included an inquiry into the provision
of household facilities. The explanatory notes point out that the
questions appear to have been misinterpreted by some people and
although this is undoubtedly true with regard to absence of water
closets it is considered that the figures give a fair picture of the general
position.
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