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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 (1,689
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 1953 was 169,100. This Is a
decrease of 1,400 on the estimated population for 1952.
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2,812
(males 1,466 and females 1,346). This gives a crude rate of 16.6 per 1,000 total population;
the rate for 1952 was 16.4. The adjusted birth rate for 1953 is 15.1 per 1,000 population
which compares with a rate of 15.5 for England and Wales and 17.0 for the 160 County Boroughs
and Great Towns (including London). Illegitimate births accounted for 140, or 4.9 per cent
of all live births - the rate for 1952 was 4.6.
Stillbirths. There were 70 stillbirths (33 males and 37 females) giving
a rate of 24.3 per 1,000 total births.
DEATHS. During the year 1,492 (males 854 and females 638) West Ham residents died,
giving a crude death rate of 8.8 per 1,000 population. The adjusted death rate per 1,000
population is 10.3 which compares with the death rate of 11.4 for England and Wales and
12.2 for the 160 County Borough and Great Towns (including London). The causes of death
at different periods of life and distinguishing male and female are given in Appendix I,
page 88.
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 82 (males 45
and females 37) giving an infant mortality rate of 29.1 per 1,000 live births as against
24.6 for 1952. The rate for England and Wales was 26.8 and for the 160 County Borough and
Great Towns (including London) 30.8. The list of causes of death can be found in Appendix I,
page 88 of this report.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were no deaths from maternal causes, as
against 5 deaths in1 1952. The maternal mortality rate for England and Wales was O.76.
ADJUSTED BIRTH AND DEATH RATES. In order to make an approximate allowance for the
way in which the sex and age distribution of the local population differs from that for
England and Wales as a whole each authority is given an area comparability factor. This
factor enables the local crude birth and death rates to be adjusted. When so adjusted the
rates are comparable with the crude rate for England and Wales or with the corresponding
adjusted rate for other areas.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
POLIOMYELITIS. Twenty-two cases occurred during the year as compared with 20 in 1952.
The case rate was 0.13 per 1,000 of the population. There were no deaths. Fourteen of
the cases had some degree of paralysis while 8 were non-paralytic.
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