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7
A.—VITAL STATISTICS.
POPULATION.—Estimated at the middle of 1908, the population
of the Borough was 96,007, the estimate for each of the subregistration
districts being:-
*Clerkenwell 60,280
Finsbury (St. Luke) 34,173
St. Sepulchre 1,554
96,007
Compared with the estimate made to the middle of 1907 (96,737),
the population shews a decrease of 725. The estimate that there
was this decrease is based on the assumption that the rate of
progression of the population was the same as that between the
censuses of 1891 and 1901, when the population was found to have
declined 9,444—from 110,907 to 101,463.
The reason for the decline, which has been going on steadily
during the last 40 years, is the alteration in the circumstances of
the Borough. It is becoming more and more a manufacturing
and business centre, and less and less residential. In the main, the
inhabitants are of the working class, who reside in the district
chiefly because their work is there. As means of transit further
improve, and business premises multiply, and the district becomes
less suited for residence, greater numbers of the people will migrate,
and the population will still further be depleted. With the exception
of a number of models, the houses are of the older fashioned
type, provided, in the majority of instances, with basements. Most
of the houses are occupied by more than one family, the floors
being either let separately by the owner or sub-let by the person
renting the whole house.
The number of the houses occupied wholly by one family, even
in the formerly fashionable squares, is diminishing, some being
now used as offices and business premises, others being let in
tenements.
* The districts of " North Clerkenwell " and " South Clerkenwell " were united in
April, 1908.