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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, and 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 1957 was 165,900. This is a decrease of 1,100
on the estimated population for 1956.
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2,641 (males
1,353 and females 1,288). This gives a crude rate of 15.92 per 1,000 population. The adjusted
birth rate for 1957 is 14.49 per 1,000 population which compares with a rate of 16.1 for England
and Wales. Illegitimate births account for 136, or 5.15 per cent, of all live births - the rate
for 1956 was 5.07 per cent.
Still-births: There were 48 stillbirths (29 males and 19 females) giving a
rate of 17.8 per 1,000 total births compared with a rate of 22.5 for England and Wales.
DEATHS. During the year 1,738 (males 933, females 805) West Ham residents died, giving a
crude death rate of 10.48 per 1,000 population. The adjusted death rate per 1,000 population is
13.10 which compares with the death rate of 11.5 for England and Wales. The causes of death at
different periods of life, distinguishing male and female, are given In Appendix I, page 122.
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 51 (males 30 and
females 21) giving an infant mortality of 19.3 per 1,000 live births as against 24.4 for 1956.
The rate for England and Wales was 23.1. The list of causes of death can be found in Appendix I,
page 122.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there were 2 deaths from maternal causes, as against
3 deaths in 1956. The maternal mortality rate of 0.74 compares with 0.47 f°r England and Wales.
See page 53 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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