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29
SECTION II.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Marriages.—The number of marriages solemnised was 2,319
compared with 2,210 in 1937; 2,198 in 1936; 2,132 in 1935; 2,125
in 1934; 2,244 in 1933; and 2,134 in 1932. The marriage rate was
9.5 per 1,000 of the population; 1,192 were solemnised in Established
Churches, 338 in other places of worship, 789 in the Register
Office; no ceremony was performed under Jewish ritual.
Births.—1The births registered were 3,172 legitimate and 163
illegitimate. The birth-rate consequently was 13.7. For England
and Wales and in the Great Towns the rate was 14.9.
The illegitimate births in Croydon were 4.9% of the total,
compared with 4.6% in 1937, 5.5% in 1936, 4.4% in 1935, 4.7% in
1934, and 4.2% in 1933.
The live male births numbered 1,710, the female 1,625, being
a proportion of 1,052 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 Addington (20.0), South Norwood (18.2), Whitehorse Manor
(16.7), and Waddon (15.0).
Those with the lowest were: Norbury (9.3), Upper Norwood
(10.7), and Woodside (11.4).
Deaths.—The deaths numbered 2,486, compared with 2,800 in
1937. For 1938 the death-rate was 10.3. For 1937 it was 11.6.
The death-rate for England and Wales was 11.6, and for the Great
Towns 11.7. For London the death-rate was 11.4. The male
death-rate was 11.8, the female 11.3 for the Borough.
There were 162 inquests held by Coroners in respect of Croydon
residents during 1938, and 153 findings by Coroners after postmortem
examination without inquest.
Wards with the highest death-rates were: South (13.9), Central
(13.2), and Whitehorse Manor (12.6); lowest in Addington (5.6),
Norbury (8.4), West Thornton (8.7), and Waddon (8.8).
Natural Increase.—The excess of births over deaths was 849,
or 3.5 per 1,000 of the population.