London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1886
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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The following Table, brought up to date, exhibits the growth of the Parish since the Metropolis Local Management Act came into operation in 1856:—
| 1856. | 1886. | Gross Increase in 30 years. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated number of Inhabited Houses (as per rate books) | 7,600 | 21,500 | 13,900 |
| Population | 57,000 | 173,500 | 116,500 |
| Rateable Value of Property | £308,000 | £1,833,599 | £1,525,599 |
The above figures may well be said to speak for themselves:
nevertheless, attention may be called to the fact that in 30 years
the rateable value of property almost sextupled, and that in
the last 15 years the mere increase was nearly treble the
total in 1856. The population trebled, and the number of
inhabited houses increased nearly threefold, in 30 years, the
increase in the last decade alone attaining the dimensions of a
large city. The rateable value of the parish is exceeded by that
of the cities of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol only,
The population of Kensington is to that of London about 1 to 24,
and the rateable value 1 to 16½.
The increase in all respects within the last fifteen years, the period over which my official experience extends, is not inconsiderable, as the subjoined figures will show.
| 1871. | 1886. | Increase in 15 years. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated number of Inhabited Houses (as per rate books) | 15,395 | 21,500 | 6,105 |
| Population | 121,000 | 173,500 | 52,500 |
| Rateable Value | £935,720 | £1,833,599 | £897,879 |