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14
1951 Census—Preliminary Report.
The preliminary report of the Registrar General on the Census of
1951 has now been published and shows the population of Bromley at
mid-night on the 8th April, 1951, to be 64,178—an increase over the
previous census in 1931 of 16,480, that is, 34.6%. Compared with
the neighbouring authorities, the percentage increase shows 208.7%
for Chislehurst and Sidcup (the fourth highest percentage), 145% for
Orpington, 48.4% for Beckenham, and 171.9% for Bexley.
This increase in North West Kent's population is largely due to
the flow of population from London, especially from those areas which
were badly blitzed during the second World War. The percentage
increase in the various local authorities' areas is also affected by certain
changes of boundaries which have occurred since the census in 1931.
It is to be noted that the figures stated in the census are exclusive of
those persons absent in the armed forces, mercantile marine and others
outside the country on the night of Sunday, 8th April, 1951.
The population of England and Wales is shown to be 43,744,924
persons, which gives the number of persons per square mile as 750—
a density which is higher than any other country in the world.
The population of England and Wales has increased by 3,792,547
—a percentage increase of 9.5 over the previous census. This increase
is largely due to the excess of births over deaths since 1931 and
accounts for 3,288,000. Females continue to exceed males by 1}
million. In Bromley there are 29,076 males compared with 35,102
females, but age distribution and other statistical figures will be made
available when the final census figures are published.