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9
Population.
The preliminary report of the Registrar General on the
Census of 1951 has recently been published and shows the
population of Orpington to be 63,344 at midnight on the 8th April,
1951—an increase over the previous census in 1931 of 37,486
persons, that is 145%. Compared with the neighbouring
authorities, the percentage increase shows, 208.7% for Chislehurst
and Sidcup (the fourth highest percentage) 34.6% for Bromley,
48.4% for Beckenham and 171.9% for Bexley.
This increase in North West Kent's population is largely due
to the flow of population from London, especially from those
areas which were badly blitzed during the second World War.
The percentage increase in the various local authorities' areas is
also affected by certain changes of boundaries which have
occurred since the census in 1931. It is to be noted that the
figures stated in the census are exclusive of those persons absent
in the armed forces, mercantile marine and others outside the
country on the night of Sunday the 8th April.
The population of England and Wales is shown to be 43,744,924
persons, which gives the number of persons per square mile as
750—a density which is higher than any other country in the
world.
The population of England and Wales has increased by
3,792,547. a percentage increase of 9.5 over the previous census.
This increase is largely due to the excess of births over deaths
since 1931 and accounts for 3,288,000. Females continue to exceed
males by H million. In Orpington there are 29,967 males compared
with 33,377 females, but age distribution and other
statistical figures are not yet available.
The following information which is based on a 1% sample
has also been extracted from the report: