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 1887
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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117
Kensington is still in process of development by building,
but at a moderate rate compared with past years—1861-70, for example.
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. | 1887. | Gross Increase in 31 years. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated number of Inhabited Houses (as per rate books) | 7,600 | 21,566 | 13,966 |
| Population | 57,000 | 175,000 | 118,000 |
| Rateable Value of Property | £308,000 | £1,846,647 | £1,538,647 |
The increase in all respects within the last sixteen years, the period over which my official experience extends, is not inconsiderable, as the subjoined figures will show.
| 1871. | 1887. | Increase in 16 years. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated number of Inhabited Houses (as per rate books) | 15,395 | 21,566 | 6,171 |
| Population | 121,000 | 175,000 | 54,000 |
| Rateable Value | £935,720 | £1,846,647 | £910,927 |
The above figures may well be said to speak for themselves:
nevertheless, attention may be called to the fact that in 31
years the rateable value of property has sextupled, and that in
the last 16 years the mere increase was treble the total in
1856. The population more than trebled, and the number of
inhabited houses increased nearly threefold, in 31 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.