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12
THE INTERMEDIATE CENSUS.
Since the annual Report for 1895 the figures of the Metropolitan Census,
taken at the commencement of April, 1896, under the Equalization of Rates
Act, have appeared.
It is much to be regretted that no provision was made in the Act for
recording ages at this Census enumeration, as ages are of as much value in
vital statistics as gross numbers. This omission narrows attention solely to
numbers at all ages, and for the purpose of comparing the changes that have
taken place in the distribution of population, the following table has been
compiled.
Populatitm—
All Ages,
Regent's
Park.
Tottenham
Court Rd.
Gray's Inn
Lane.
Somers
Town.
Camden
Town.
Kentish
Town.
St. Pancras.
Changes.
Census 1881 39115 ! 27729 ' 30247 j 34369 17311 87487 236258
-10157
Difference-2525 —1408 —2792 —1540 —1892 + 8278 —1879 all but one
= 8278
K.T. only
Census 1891 36590 26321 27455 32829 15419 95765 234379
-638
Difference + 751 + 436 + 1971 —668 + 1250 +2645 + 6385 S.T. only
(all but one)
Census 1896 37341 , 26757 , 29426 32161 16669 98410 240764
—6417
Difference between —1774 —972 —821 -2203 —642 +10923 + 4506 (all but one)
the Census of J + 0923
1881 and 1896 (K.T. only)
The difference between the Census of 1881 and 1896 shows a diminution
of population in every Registration sub-district except Kentish Town, with
the net result of a total increase of 4,506. But if, instead of taking the
changes in the last fifteen years in one sum, they be taken separately, it
appears that, whereas between 1881 and 1891 there was a diminution in the
population of each of the sub-districts except Kentish Town, between' 1891
and 1896 there was an increase in the population of every one of the subdistricts
except Somers Town, and the total population of St. Pancras
was diminished by 1,879 persons between 1881 and 1891, and increased by
6,385 between 1891 and 1896, so that now it amounts to 240,764 inhabitants.
In considering the changes in detail it is desirable to take each sub-district
separately, and to bear in mind the causes contributing to the fluctuation of
population, apart from the natural increase or decrease due to births and
deaths. The population may be (A.) increased in a given area by (1) the
construction of new dwellings on previously vacant land, (2) the reconstruction
or extension of dwelling houses with greater accommodation
(3) immigration into the district or sub-district, and consequent aggregation,
and the occupation of fewer rooms or less space per head or per family;
and, it may be (B) decreased in the area by (1) the demolition of dwellings,
(2) the displacement of dwellings by workshops, &c., (3) emigration from the
district or sub-district, and consequent segregation, and the occupation of more
room or rooms per head.