View report page

5
Vital Statistics.
(a) Population.
In this report the rates are calculated on the estimated
population adopted by the Registrar General, namely 116,500,
which compared with 117,600 for 1953, shows a reduction in
population of 1,100.
No epidemic causing any mortality occurred during the
year and the excess of births over deaths has been maintained.
(b) Marriages.
The number of marriages solemnised during the year was
1,270, this being an increase of 44, as compared with the previous
year.
Particulars are set out hereunder: —
The Register Office 530
Buildings registered for marriages (Roman
Catholic Churches and Chapels) at which
a Registrar attends 324
Churches of the Church of England 364
Authorised Persons (Chapels at which a
Registrar does not attend) 26
Jewish Synagogues 26
1,270
(c) Births.
The corrected number of births for the year as supplied by
the Registrar General was 1,776. On the estimated population
of 116,500 this represents an annual rate of 15.2 births per
thousand persons living, which is a slightly higher rate than for
the previous year.
(d) Deaths.
During the year 1,382 deaths were registered. Add to this
figure 295 deaths of residents of the Borough who died in various
parts of England and transferred by the Registrar General, and
deduct 580 deaths of non-residents and 26 transferable deaths
which occurred, the corrected figures show a total of 1,071
deaths of residents (564 males, 507 females) which shows a
reduction of 136 as compared to 1953.
On the estimated population of 116,500 the corrected number
of deaths per 1,000 persons living was 9.1 as compared to 10.3
last year. This is the lowest death rate ever recorded in the
Borough.