London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Finsbury 1963

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]

This page requires JavaScript

SECTION A. Physical Features and social conditions

General
Area of the Borough (acres).587
Population 1961 census32, 887
Population Density56
Rateable value 31.3.63.£3, 142, 765
Product of a penny rate (1962/63)£12,065
General rate 1962/6319/2d.

Finsbury, one of Londons 28 Metropolitan Boroughs, is situated in
Central London.
The Borough as a whole is built up and congested and possesses
very few open spaces, all of which are small in size.
A large part of the Borough, particularly in the south East, is
essentially industrial and the day population of the Borough has been
estimated as between 150,000 and 200,000.
The industries accommodated are very varied and include, besides
the clock and watch trade which has been associated with Clerkenwell
for many years the scientific and optical instrument making,jewellery,
printing and clothing trades,
The residential parts of the Borough are mainly working class in
character.
During the late war Finsbury suffered the loss of many factories,
warehouses and offices, especially in the Eastern part of the Borough
and there still exist many bombed sites. Residential property also
suffered considerable damage.
The rateable value has steadily increased since 1951 when it was
£956, 228 consequent on rebuilding of war damaged properties and devastated
areas. A feature of post war development has been the erection of
large blocks of modern flats.

PRINCIPAL VITAL STATISTICS

Population (Mid year estimate)32,230
Marriages registered244
Live Births
Legitimate-Males 237 Females 267Total504
Illegitimate- males 24 Females 22Total46.
TOTAL- Males 261 Females 289Total550