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25
SECTION II.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Marriages.—The number of marriages solemnised was 2,210
compared with 2,198 in 1936; 2,132 in 1935; 2,125 in 1934; 2,244
in 1933; 2,134 in 1932; and 2,212 in 1931. The marriage rate was
9.1 per 1,000 of the population; 1,141 were solemnised in Established
Churches, 268 in other places of worship, 801 in the Register
Office; no ceremony was performed under Jewish ritual.
Births.—The births registered were 3,113 legitimate and 150
illegitimate. The birth-rate consequently was 13.5. For England
and Wales and in the Great Towns the rate was 14.9.
The illegitimate births in Croydon were 4.6% of the total,
compared with 5.5% in 1936, 4.4% in 1935, 4.7% in 1934, 4.2% in
1933 and 4.9% in 1932.
The live male births numbered 1,654, the female 1,609, being
a proportion of 1,028 males to 1,000 females.
The subjoined table gives the vital statistics for the Wards in
the Town. It is seen that the Wards with the highest birth-rates
were South Norwood (17.1), Broad Green (16.7), and Whiteborse
Manor (16.6).
Those with the lowest were: Norbury (6.7), Upper Norwood
(11.0), South (11.4), and East (11.5).
Deaths.—The deaths numbered 2,800, compared with 2,590 in
1936. For 1937 the death-rate was 11.6. For 1936 it was 10.7.
The death-rate for England and Wales was 12.4, and for the Great
Towns 12.5. For London the death-rate was 12.3. The male
death-rate was 11.8, the female 11.3 for the Borough.
There were 171 inquests held by Coroners in respect of Croydon
residents during 1937, and 159 findings by Coroners after postmortem
examination without inquest.
Wards with the highest death-rates were: South (14.6), Whitehorse
Manor (13.8), and Central (13.6) ; lowest in Addington (6.9),
Norbury (8.6), and Waddon (9.5).
Natural Increase.—The excess of births over deaths was 463,
or 1.9 per 1,000 of the population.