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1
VITAL STATISTICS
The estimated population for the Borough in 1954 has again fallen
for the second consecutive year since 1944. In 1953 the decrease was
1,100 fewer than in 1952. The 1953/54 decrease was widened to
1,500.
After a decline in the birth rate for each of the last six years from
1948 this figure showed a slight increase in 1954. The fall in the death
rate in 1953 after increases in the two previous years showed a
further decrease in 1954.
The infant death rate dropped to the 1950 level following a heavy
increase in 1953, which was the highest figure since 1949. The death
rate of illegitimate infants, which reached an abnormally high peak
in 1953, showed a dramatic decline in 1954 to the lowest recorded
for many years. Unfortunately, the still-birth rate continued to
rise and reached the highest point since 1938.
Area 1,132 acres
Estimated Number of Dwellings (April, 1955) 24,977
Dwellings Erected by Borough Council During Year 168
Approximate Rateable Value (Total) £1,074,698
(Dwellings) £414,607
Population:
Registrar General's estimate (mid-1954), inoluding
members of Armed Forces stationed in area.. . . 95,370
Estimated population, 1953 (mid-year) .. .. 96,870
Census, 1951 97,191
Live Birth Rate per 1,000 population .. .. .. 17.7
Adjusted by comparability factor .. .. .. 15.2
Still Birth Rate per 1,000 total Births .. .. .. 27.5
Death Rate per 1,000 population .. .. .. .. 11.5
Adjusted by comparability factor .. .. .. .. 11.8
Maternal Death Rate per 1,000 live and still births .. 1.1
Infant Death Rate:
All infants per 1,000 live births .. .. .. .. 20.6
Legitimate infants per 1,000 live legitimate births 21.3
Illegitimate infants per 1,000 live illegitimate births 9.7