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STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA
SITE AND AREA. The County Borough of West Ham lies In the County of Essex within an
area about 4 miles from north to south, and about 2 miles from east to west (4,689 acres).
It is bounded on the north by the Boroughs of Leyton and Wanstead and Woodford, by the
County Borough of East Ham on the East, on the south by the River Thames, and to the West
by the Metropolitan Boroughs of Poplar and Hackney. The area is flat and low lying varying
from 5 to 45 feet above sea level.
POPULATION. The estimated civilian population in 1950 was 172,800 - a decrease of
900 as compared with 1949.
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2,882
(males 1,485 and females 1,397)• This gives a rate of 16.6 per 1,000 total population;
the rate for 1949 was l8.7. Illegitimate births accounted for 139, or 4.8 per cento of
all live births - the rate for 1949 was 4.5.
Stillbirths. There were 65 stillbirths (34 males and 31 females)
giving a rate of 22 per 1,000 total births. This is a slight increase on the figure of
19 for 1949.
DEATHS. During the year 1,851 (males 968 and females 883) West Ham residents
died, giving a crude death rate of 10.7 per 1,000 population. The death rate for England
and Wales was 11.6 and for the 126 County Borough and Great Towns (including London) 12.3.
The causes of death at different periods of life and distinguishing male and female are
given in Appendix 1, page 79.
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 80 (males
51 and females 29) giving an infant mortality rate of 27.7 per 1,000 live births as against
23 for 1949. The rate for England and Wales was 29.8 and for the 126 County Borough and
Great Towns (including London) 33-8. The list of causes of death can be found in Appendix 1,
page 79 of this report.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were 5 deaths from maternal causes
giving a maternal mortality rate of 1.7 per 1,000 live and stillbirths as against a rate
of 0.80 for 1948. The rate for England and Wales was 0.86.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
TUBERCULOSIS. During the year l78 new cases of tuberculosis were notified. This
represents a decrease of 31 cases as compared with 209 for 1949. The table below shows
the incidence of this disease for last few years:-