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9
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF BOROUGH AND EXTRACTS FROM
VITAL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1961
The Borough of Fulham lies in a loop of the River Thames which forms the whole of
its southern boundary and gives Fulham a very long riverside frontage. Its other
boundaries are formed by the Boroughs of Hammersmith in the west, Chelsea in the east,
and the Royal Borough of Kensington in the north. It is very flat and low lying
being only 12-13 ft. above sea level. The subsoil is of flood plain gravel overlying
London clay 20 to 40 ft. below. Subsoil water is rarely met within 15 ft. of the
ground surface.
Fulham is principally a dormitory Borough with a fringe of heavy industrial
undertakings on the riverside, and is well served with open spaces and parks which have
been added to by post-war development. The slum clearance and redevelopment programmes
are also having the dual effect of improving the standard of housing and the appearance
of the Borough.
Area of Borough 1,706 acres
Population (estimated mid-1961) 111,500
Separately Rated Dwellings 30,259
Rateable Value £1,965,736
Rate levied - 19s.4d. in the £ - Estimated Yield £1,851,360
A Penny Rate produces approximately £7,980
Number of assessments 34,214
Number of Marriages registered during the year 943
The Registrar General's estimate gives the mid-year population of the Borough as
111,500 - a decrease compared with 1960 of 1,460. Ten years ago, in 1951, the estimated
population was 122, 400.
The birth rate is 16.32 compared with 15.99 in 1960. Ten years ago the birth
rate was 14.04.
The infant mortality rate has decreased to 19.40 compared with 22.01 in 1960.
The figure for England and Wales in 1961 is 21 25.
The death rate in 1961 shows a very slight increase compared with 1960 - being 10.98
as compared with 10.89. Heart disease continues to be the main "killer", with cancer
the next most important. This is dramatically shown in the diagram on page 13 where it
will be seen that heart disease and cancer together account for slightly over half the
total number of deaths. With an ageing population, it is likely that this proportion
will increase in future years.
Sex
LIVE BIRTHS
STILL BIRTHS
Total
Legitimate
Illegitimate
Total
Legitimate
Illegitimate
Males 930 847 83 28 25 3
Females 926 819 107 16 14 2
Totals 1,856 1,666 190 44 39 5