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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA
The Borough of Tower Hamlets is bounded on the west side by the City of London,
on the east by the Borough of Newham on the north by the Borough of Hackney and on
the south by the River Thames The river boundary is some seven miles in length along
which exist numerous wharves engaged in trans-shipping activities The area of the
borough is 4 876 acres- being approximately four miles long and four miles wide at
the most distant points Mileage of roads covered is 178.5 Some 266 acres cover
canals and enclosed docks including the East and West India Docks and the Millwall
Docks
The predominant geological stratum of the Borough is dark blue London Clay found
at a depth of between 20-30 feet from the surface above this level are layers and
patches of gravel and sand with brown and yellow clays found nearer the surface In
some parts of the borough there are layers of 'made' ground, the result of earlier
habitation and as is to be expected the flow of subsoil water is towards the river
This area is to a large extent industrial in character factory premises being
spread throughout the borough with light industry tending to concentrate in the western
end and heavy industry in the east
One of the chief industries of the borough is the manufacture of clothing of all
kinds and it is estimated that one-third of the tailoring industry of London is carried
on in this area Other major industries include brewing engineering the manufacture
of furniture and ship repairing Tower Hamlets is also one of the most important
wholesaling districts in London Spitalfields wholesale fruit and vegetable market
and the London Fruit Exchange are situated in the borough and there are many wholesale
food depots from which goods are distributed throughout the country
Notable landmarks in the borough include the Tower of London and the Royal Mint
POPULATION
The Registrar General's estimated mid-year populationof the borough was 182.260.
a decrease of 5-820 from last year s figure This is a continuation of the downward
trend which has occurred since 1947 The population of the Greater London area also
continues to decline, the decrease (91 000; being much sharper this year than last
year (56 000)
The estimated child populat ion i s 39 600 being 1.900 less than last year and made
up as fol1ows -
Live births exceeded deaths by 301 so that as the estimated population decrease
was 5,820 the net estimated movement of residents out of the borough amounted to 6, 121
pe rsons
Under 1 year
2.500
1-4 years
10.900
5-14 years
26.200
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