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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 population in 1956 was 167,000. This is a decrease of 900
on the estimated population for 1955.
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2,583 (males
1,297 and females 1,286). This gives a crude rate of 15.4 per 1,000 population; the same
rate as for 1955. The adjusted birth rate for 1956 is 14.0 per 1,000 population which compares
with a rate of 15.7 for England and Wales. Illegitimate births account for 131, or 5.07 per
cent, of all live births - the rate for 1955 was 5.6 per cent.
Still Births. There were 58 stillbirths (25 males and 33 females) giving
a rate of 21.9 per 1,000 total births compared with a rate of 23.0 for England and Wales.
DEATHS. During the year 1,769 (males 939, females 830) West Ham residents died,
giving a crude death rate of 10.59 per 1,000 population. The adjusted death rate per 1,000
population is 13.34 which compares with the death rate of 11.7 for England and Wales. The
causes of death at different periods of life, distinguishing male and female, are given in
Appendix I, page 143.
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 63 (males 38
and females 25) giving an infant mortality of 24.4 per 1,000 live births as against 21.6
for 1955. The rate for England and Wales was 24.0. The list of causes of death can be
found in Appendix I, page 143 of this report.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were 3 deaths from maternal causes, as
against 1 death in 1955. The maternal mortality rate for England and Wales was 0.56. See
page 58 of this report for further details.
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 to compensate for these
local characteristics. When so adjusted the rates are comparable with the crude rate for
England and Wales or with the corresponding adjusted rate for other areas.
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