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STATISTICS AMD 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
River Lea, which separates it from 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 1952 was 170,500. This figure shows
an increase of 400 on the estimated population for 1951•
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2,800 (males
1,525 and females 1,275). This gives a rate of l6.4 per 1,000 total population; the rate for
1951 was 17.2. Illegitimate births accounted for 131, or 4.6 per cent, of ail live births
the rate for 1951 was 4.9.
Stillbirths. There were 60 stillbirths (37 males and 23 females) giving a
rate of 20.9 per 1,000 total births. The rate for 1951 was 22.
DEATHS. During the year 1,835 (males 1,011 and females 824) West Ham residents died,
giving a crude death rate of 10.7 per 1,000 population. The death rate for England and Wales
was 11.3 and for the 160 County Borough and Great Towns (including London) 12.1. The causes
of death at different periods of life distinguishing male and female are given in Appendix I
page 96.
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 69 (males 43 and
females 26) giving an Infant mortality rate of 24.6 per 1,000 live births as against 25.2 for
1951. The rate for England and Wales was 27.6 and for the 160 County Borough and Great Towns
(including London) 31.2. The list of causes of death can be found in Appendix I page 9^ •
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were no deaths from maternal causes.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
POLIOMYELITIS. Twenty cases occurred during the year as compared with 10 in 1951. The case
rate was 0.12 per 3,000 of the population. There were no deaths. Thirteen of the cases had
some degree of paralysis while 1 were non-paralytio.
The epidemic followed the usual pattern, commencing in the middle of June and dying out
in the Autumn. All but two of the cases, occurred during the three months July, August and
September. The two exceptions were the initial case which occurred during the second week of
June and one isolated case which occurred during November.