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12
This year the Registrar-General has given his estimate of the
mid-year population of Romford as 89,340, which compares with
80,240 for last year, an increase of 9,100. On this occasion the estimate
is probably more accurate than it has been for twenty years,
in view of the fact that a Census of the population was taken in
April. The Census figure is given as 87,991. There are many
factors to be taken into consideration in giving an estimate, and it
will be appreciated that in a District such as this with a large immigration
the work of compiling an estimate is by no means easy.
The nearer, however, that a particular year is to a previous Census
makes the estimate more accurate.
Romford now has the unofficial distinction of being classed as a
"Great town", by virtue of its population being larger than 50,000
at the 1951 Census, but for statistical purposes, for the time being,
it is still placed in the category of a "Smaller town".
During 1951, the total number of live births registered was
1,726, and the total number of deaths registered was 760. The
difference of 966 gives the natural increase in the population. As this
number falls far short of the Registrar-General's estimated increase
of 9,100, it follows that the balance of 8,134 is made up of excess of
Immigration over Emigration, and, once more, this is very largely
accounted for by the development of the Harold Hill Estate.
For 1951, we estimate the Birth Rate to be 17.9 per 1,000 of
the estimated resident population. This figure is obtained by multiplying
the Crude Birth Rate of 19.3 by the Comparability Factor of
0.93. For last year, the Rate was 16.6.
The Rate for England and Wales for 1951 is given as 15.5, and
for the 148 smaller towns with populations ranging from 25,000 to
50,000 at the 1931 Census, the Rate is 16.7.
The Death Rate for Romford is estimated at 10.2 per 1,000 of
the estimated resident population. This figure is obtained by multiplying
the Crude Death Rate of 8.5 by the Comparability Factor of
1.20. For last year the Rate was 10.0. The comparable Rates for
England and Wales, and for the 148 smaller towns, as referred to
above are 12.5 and 12.5 respectively.
The chief causes of death in order of frequency were :—
(1) Diseases of the Heart and Circulation.
(2) Cancer.
(3) Bronchitis, Pneumonia and other Respiratory Diseases.
(4) All forms of Accident.
(5) All forms of Tuberculosis.
It will be noted that the category of "All forms of Accident"
now takes precedence to that of Tuberculosis, otherwise the order
remains the same.
The Maternal Mortality Rate, which is the number of Maternal
Deaths, due to conditions associated with pregnancy or confinement,