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6
1906]
At the present time Islington is more densely populated than any of
the great provincial towns, and in the County of London it ranks twentysecond
of the boroughs in order of density, there being only seven with a higher
one. These are facts it is well to keep in view when considering its mortality
returns, which are unusually low for a community which is so numerous and
so crowded.
Of the Sub-Districts.— Not all the districts are alike crowded—
Indeed, when comparison is made between them it is found that whereas
Tufnell and Highbury possess respectively only 82 and 84 persons to the acre,
South-East Islington and Barnsbury confess respectively to 140 and 175, while
Lower Holloway with 101, Tollington with 112, and Upper Holloway with
124 occupy the intermediate positions.
Of the Wards.— Here too, the density varies considerably, as it ranges
from 74 persons per acre in Mildmay, 82 in Tufnell, and 84 in Highbury, to
150 in Barnsbury, 195 in Thornhill, and 212 in St. Peters, while between these
come Lower Holloway with 101, Tollington with 112, Canonbury with 115,
St Mary's with 118, and Upper Holloway with 124.
Generally speaking, it is found that those districts and wards which are
most densely populated exhibit the highest death-rate, which will be shown
when the death returns are discussed.
Population.
Population of the Borough.— The estimated population of Islington
at the middle of the year was 344,987, which has been calculated on the figures
that were obtained at the censuses of 1891, 1895, and 1901. This estimate
shows an increase of only 1993, or 0.5 per cent., on that of the preceding year.
If a comparison be made with the figures of the earlier years of the Borough,
or rather of the old Parish, it will be apparent that the annual increase is much
less than it was in those times when it was no uncommon circumstance for the
growth to be three, four, five, or even seven per cent. This is very well seen
in the figures (reprinted from the annual report for 1904) in which it is shown
that from 1801 onwards to 1851 the percentage increase was continually rising,
but that from this date down to the last census (1901) it gradually decreased.