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4
POPULATION.
The densities in the Wards of the Borough, calculated on the results of the last census,
varied from 57 persons per acre in Lancaster Gate, East, Ward to 178 in Harrow Road. (See
below.) The greatest increase (7.8) during the ten years 1901-11 took place in Maida Vale
Ward, and the greatest decrease (9.5) in Queen's Park.
Density of Population.
Average Numbers of Persons per Acre.
(Unadjusted.)
Queen's
Park.
Harrow
Road.
Maida
Vale.
Westbourne.
Church.
Lancaster Gate.
Hyde Park.
West.
East.
1901
152.0
182.2
68.5
104.2
130.6
70.4
56.7
108.7
1911
142.5
178.0
76.3
102.8
124.6
76.2
57.1
100.6
(-9.5)
(-4.2)
( + 7.8)
( -1.4)
( -6.0)
(+5.8)
( +0.4)
(-8.1)
Housing.—Prior to the last census the numbers of houses have been determined, distinguishing
those inhabited, those occupied but not inhabited, those unoccupied, and those building. In
addition, the number of separate families or occupiers has been given. It is an open secret that
for the purposes of the last census the "house" has been abandoned as a unit, and that the data
which have been collected with reference to housing are—the numbers of "dwellings or
tenements" (a) inhabited, (b) uninhabited, (c) building, and (d) not used as dwellings. The
housing tables will comprise returns of the numbers occupying tenements of so many rooms, not
limited to tenements of less than five rooms as on former occasions. Such scheme will give
information of much greater value, but renders comparison with former years difficult and
uncertain.
At the census of 1901 the following numbers were obtained:—
Census, 1901.
Numbers of houses inhabited 17,684
(a) Occupied, not inhabited 488
(b) Unoccupied 533
(c) Building 32
Number of tenements 33,661
The only data collected at the last census at present available are:—
Census, 1911.
Numbers of dwellings or tenements inhabited 33,925
(a) Uninhabited 2,276
(b) Not used as dwellings 1,244
(c) Building 5
Apparently (b) in the former (1901) statement is the same as (a) in the latter (1911), and if
so, bears testimony to the migration from the Borough. At the census of 1901 the population
averaged 8.14 per inhabited house, and that figure applied to 2,276 would represent a loss of
18,527 persons. If, however, the average of 8.14 be applied to 1,743—the increase of (a), 1911,
over (b), 1901—the increase in the number of empty properties represented a loss of 14,212
inhabitants.
The "occupied, not inhabited" houses of 1901 (488) are apparently the same as the
tenements "not used as dwellings" of 1911 (1,244)—showing, therefore, an increase of 711
"lock-up" shops and premises, an increase which may be taken to represent a further loss of
some 5,000 inhabitants. The decrease in the number of premises building was to be expected
in one way, seeing that almost the entire area of the Borough was covered prior to 1910. Many
building leases are now expiring, and new premises are likely to be erected during the current
intercensal period.
The number of schedules (see Table 2, page 6) increased from 33,661 in 1901 to 33,925 in 1911.
Such increase is somewhat remarkable having regard to the actual decrease in the number of
persons. The average number of persons per 100 schedules, homes or families, which stood at