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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, 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 1958 was 165,000. This is a decrease of 900
on the estimated population of 1957-
BIRTH RATE. Live Births. The number of live births during the year was 2711 (males 1403
and females 1308). This gives a crude rate of 16.43 per 1,000 population, almost the same rate
as in 1957. The adjusted birth rate for 1958 is 15.12 per 1,000 population which compares with
a rate of l6.4 for England and Wales. Illegitimate births account for 144 or 5*31 per cent of
all live births, the same rate as for 1957.
Still-births. There were 8l still births (41 males and 40 females) giving a
rate of 29.01 per 1,000 total births compared with a rate of 21.5 for England and Wales.
DEATHS. IXjring the year, l6l0 (males 871 and females 739) West Ham residents died, giving
a crude death rate of 9.76 per 1,000 population. The adjusted death rate per 1,000 population
is 12.20 whioh 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 112
INFANT MORTALITY. The deaths of children under 1 year of age numbered 52 (males 33 and
females 19) giving an infant mortality of 19.18 per 1,000 live births as against 19.31 in 1957.
The rate for England and Wales was 22.5. The list of causes of deaths can be found in
Appendix I, page 112 of this report.
MATERNAL MORTALITY. During the year there was one death from maternal causes as against
2 deaths in 1957. The maternal mortality rate for England and Wales wts 35 per 100,000.
See page 57 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 orude 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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