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8
Population.
The resident population of the Borough of Stepney at the Census in
June, 1921, was 249,738, or a decrease of 30,066 from that of the Census
in 1911.
At the Census of 1891, the population was 285,116
1901 ,, „ 298,600
1911 „ „ 279,804
1921 „ „ 249,738
It will be seen therefore that the largest number was in 1901 when the
Census was taken, and that there was a considerable drop in the population
when the 1911 Census was taken, but not nearly to the same extent as it was
found to be ten years afterwards. In 1901, overcrowding was prevalent,
and it was most difficult to abate it on account of the demand for houses.
It was impossible for anyone to obtain a house without paying a premium,
which was called " key-money." The demand gradually became less, and
in 1904 there were 1,073 empty houses at the end of the first quarter of the
year. The number became greater each year following, until, at the end of
the first quarter of 1908, 2,944 houses were empty in the Borough of Stepney.
This number gradually decreased afterwards, so that in 1911 it was 2,408,
but even in 1914 it was 1,700, whereas on March 31st, 1921, the number was
only 388. Yet the population was 30,000 less in 1921 than in 1911.
What is the cause of it ? There were more houses in 1921 which contained
more than two families. In fact, it was quite common to find extra
families living in houses because they could not obtain separate accommodation
elsewhere. It cannot be said that a very large number of houses was
demolished in the meantime, although some had undoubtedly been pulled
down, and business premises erected instead. It is also true that the upper
parts of many houses had been converted into domestic workshops, and
ground floor rooms have been converted into shops.
The diminution in the population occurred in every part of the Borough,
but not to the same extent. For instance, there was a decrease of 7.3 per
cent. from 1901 to 1911 in the Limehouse District, but in 1921 it was only
2.6 per cent. lower than in 1911.
In St. George's in 1911 it was 4 per cent. less than in the previous
census, but in 1921 it was 14.1 per cent. lower.
In Mile End Old Town the decrease was 1.3 per cent. in 1911 and
7.3 per cent; in 1921.