Title and Contents Pages
This Report is the concluding volume of the series for the 1931 Census of England and Wales. Though much of the contents had been written in 1936, completion was delayed by the need to concentrate on the preparation of the supplementary series of County Volumes, Parts II, which showed the changes caused by the alteration of county districts under the Local Government Act, 1929, and the last volume of which was not published until 1940. Before this task was con- cluded, the approach of war required all available staff to be employed on the preparations for the establishment of the national registration system. The war-time restrictions on printing and normal activities made any progress with the present volume out of the question. At the end of the war considerable arrears of publications of all kinds had accumulated and this obliged the General Register Office to work to a scheme under which the arrears would be overtaken while pace was kept with the full programme of current publications. Accordingly, this volume has been further delayed by the more urgent need to issue the annual Statistical Reviews for the war years. Nevertheless, without this General Report the story of the 1931 Census would be incomplete. The commentary, which has not been published elsewhere, possesses historical value and will be of assistance to those responsible for the planning and execution of future censuses of population. Although the passage of time has naturally set a different complexion upon some of the matters discussed, it has been thought right to retain the text as originally written. The whole of the 1931 Census original records, together with much of the associated material, were totally destroyed in an outbreak of fire in 1942. This has precluded any further reference to original Census documents. General Register Office, September, 1949.
CENSUS
OF ENGLAND & WALES
1931
GENERAL REPORT
LONDON
HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE
1950
NOTE
Somerset House,
W.C.2.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I.- PREPARATION AND PROCEDURE
1. Introduction
1
2. Preparations for the Census
1
(a) Legislation
1
(b) Preparation of the Census Schedule
3
(c) Scheme of Tabulation
5
(d) Preparatory work in connection with Enumeration
5
(1) Preparation of Plan of Division
5
(2) Appointment of Enumerators
5
(3) Appointment of Census Advisory Officers
6
(4) Mercantile Marine and other Civilian Shipping
7
(5) Naval, Military and Air Forces
7
(6) Miscellaneous
7
(7) Publicity
8
(a) Broadcast Talks
8
(b) Lessons in Schools
9
(c) Press and Other Action
9
3. Scheme of Publication of Reports
9
4. Enumeration
11
(a) Local preparations
11
(b) Distribution and Collection of Schedules
11
5. Procedure after Census Day
12
(a) Preliminary Report
12
(b) Census Office Operations
12
(1) Preparation of Plans of Division
13
(2) Revision of Schedules and Enumeration Books
13
(3) Coding
13
(a) Birthplace
13
(b) Occupations and Industries
14
(4) Punching
15
(5) Machine Tabulation
16
(6) Abstraction of Statistics of Dwellings
18
(7) Aggregation of Results (Tabling)
19
(8) Staff Employed
19
6. Cost of the Census
20
II.- POPULATION
1. Population of England and Wales
21
2. Migration and Other Miscellaneous Movements
26
3. Intercensal Estimates of Population
28
4. International Changes in Population
31
5. Density of Population
31
6. Population in Geographical Regions of England and Wales
32
7. Population in Counties
34
8. Density of Population in Counties
36
9. Population in Urban and Rural Density Aggregates
37
10. London – Administrative County, Outer Ring and Adjacent Metropolitan Areas
41
11. Analysis of Movement in the Metropolitan Area since 1921
43
12. Large Towns
48
13. Smaller Towns
53
14. Civil Parishes and Wards of Urban Areas
54
15. Parliamentary Areas
55
16. Ecclesiastical Areas
60
17. Other Areas
60
18. Institutions and Special Classes
61
19. Boundary Changes arising out of the Operation of Section 46 of the Local Government Act, 1929
63
(a) Urban and Rural Changes
63
(b) Changes of Boundary of Administrative Counties with Associated County Boroughs
66
(c) County Borough Changes
67
(d) Administrative Counties and Their Constituent Administrative Areas, before and after the Operation of Changes under Section 46 of the Local Government Act, 19 9
69
(e) Size of Reconstituted Areas
71
(f) Detached Parts
74
III.- BUILDINGS, DWELLINGS, ROOMS AND FAMILIES
IV.- SEXES, AGES AND MARTIAL CONDITIONS
1. Sexes
74
2. Regional and County Variations in Sex Proportions
76
3. Sex Proportions in Other Countries
78
4. Ages
78
(a) Sections of the Country
87
(b) Mis-statements of Age
90
(1) Local Errors
91
(2) Other Age Inconsistencies
93
(c) Graduation of Ages
96
5. Martial Condition
100
V.- OCCUPATION AND INDUSTRY
1. Introductory
104
2. Scope of Inquiry
105
3. Classification and Analysis of Material
108
4. General Analysis by Occupation and Industry
110
Order I.
Fishermen
126
Order II.
Agricultural Occupations
128
Order III.
Mining and Quarrying Occupations
132
Order IV.
Workers in the Treatment of Non-Metalliferous Mine and Quarry Products
138
Order V.
Makers of Bricks, Pottery and Glass
138
Order VI.
Workers in Chemical Processes; Makers of Paints, Oils, etc.
138
Order VII.
Metal Workers (not Electro Plate or Precious Metals)
139
Order VIII.
Workers in Precious Metals and Electro Plate
140
Order IX.
Electrical Apparatus Makers and Fitters Electricians
140
Order X
Makers of Watches, Clocks and Scientific Instruments
141
Order XI.
Workers in Skins and Leather, and Makers of Leather and Leather Substitute Goods (Not Boots or Shoes)
141
Order XII.
Textile Workers
141
Order XIII.
Makers of Textile Goods and Articles of Dress
142
Order XIV.
Makers of Foods, Drinks and Tobacco
144
Order XV.
Workers in Wood and Furniture
145
Order XVI.
Makers of and Workers in Paper and Cardboard; Bookbinders, etc.
145
Order XVII.
Printers and Photographers
146
Order XVIII.
Builders, Bricklayers, Stone and Slate Workers; Contractors
146
Order XIX.
Painters and Decorators
147
Order XX
Workers in Other Materials
147
Order XXI.
Workers in Mixed or Undefined Materials
147
Order XXII.
Persons Employed in Transport and Communication
148
Order XXIII.
Commercial, Finance and Insurance Occupations
149
Order XXIV.
Persons Employed in Public Administration and Defence
150
Order XXV.
Professional Occupations
150
Order XXVI.
Persons Professionally Engaged in Entertainments and Sport
151
Order XXVII.
Persons Engaged in Personal Service
151
Order XXVIII.
Clerks and Draughtsmen; Typists
152
Order XXIX.
Warehousemen, Storekeepers and Packers
153
Order XXX.
Stationary Engine Drivers, Dynamo and Motor Attendants
153
Order XXXI.
Other and Undefined Workers
153
Order XXXII.
Retired or not Gainfully Occupied
154
5. Persons Temporarily 'Out of Work'
156
6. Comparison of the Results of 1911, 1921 and 1931 by reference to Sex, Age and Martial Condition
162
VI.- BIRTHPLACE AND NATIONALITY
Page
1. Scope of Inquiry
164
2. Birthplaces
168
3. Natives of Scotland
170
4. Natives of Ireland
171
5. Natives of Islands of the British Seas
172
6. Natives of British Dominions, Colonies and Dependencies
173
7. Persons Born in Foreign Countries
174
(a) British Subjects by Birth
175
(b) British Subjects by Naturalisation
176
8. Persons Born at Sea
176
9. Foreign Born Persons of Alien Nationality
176
VII.- WELSH LANGUAGE
1. Scope of Inquiry
182
2. Age Distribution
184
3. Local Distribution of the Welsh Speaking Population
185
VIII.- USUAL RESIDENCE
TABLES
POPULATION
I.
Population 1801-1931, England and Wales
22
II.
Intercensal Movements, 1871-1931 (Numbers)
24
III.
Intercensal Movements, 1871-1931 (Percentages)
24
IV.
Births and Deaths, 1921 1935
25
V.
Migration – Extracted from Board of Trade Journal
27
VI.
Intercensal Estimates of Population, England and Wales, 1921-1931
28
VII.
Census Populations and Approximate Decennial Increase per cent in England and Wales and in Certain Other Countries
30
VIII.
Densities at each Census, England and Wales, 1801-1931
31
IX.
1931 Population and Acreage of Regions
32
X.
Intercensal Movements of Population in Regions, 1911-1931
33
XI.
Administrative Counties (Including County Boroughs) Arranged in Order of Enumerated Population, 1931
35
XII.
Administrative Counties (Including County Boroughs) Arranged in Order of 1921 - 1931 Increase per cent of Population, and showing the Increase per cent of Population in the Intercensal Periods 1921-1931 and 1911-1921 respectively Population in the Intercensal Periods 1921-1931 and 1911-1921 respectively and the percentage Gain or Loss by Migration 1921-1931
35
XIII.
Density of Population in Administrative Counties with Associated County Boroughs, England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
37
XIV.
Comparison of Aggregates of Urban and Rural Districts, England and Wales, 1891-1931
38
XV.
Comparison of Resident Populations in Urban and Rural Aggregates, England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
39
XVI.
Classification of Urban Districts by Population, England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
40
XVII.
London – Population and Density
41
XVIII.
London – Intercensal Changes
42
XIX.
Percentage Increase of Resident Population in England and Wales and Four Metropolitan Aggregates and comparison between the Metropolitan Aggregates and England and Wales, 1921-1934
44
XX.
Populations and Triennial Increases – Metropolitan Areas
46
XXI.
1931 Position and Subsequent Triennial Increases – Metropolitan Areas
47
XXII.
Population 1911-1931 – Towns with Populations of over 50,000, Arranged According to Size
49
XXIII.
Population and Electorate (Excluding Universities), England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
56
XXIV.
Distribution of Population in Constituencies, 1911, 1921 and 1931
57
XXV.
Constituencies with more than 100,000 Population per Member in 1931
58
XXVI.
Constituencies with less than 50,000 Population per Member in 1931
59
XXVII.
Constituencies returning two Members
59
XXVIII.
University Electors, 1921 and 1931
60
XXIX.
Institutional and other Special Types of Population in England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
62
XXX.
Institutional and other Special Types of Population – Age Distribution
63
XXXI.
Comparative Urban and Rural Populations (1931 Census) of Areas as Constituted at Census Day, 1931, and after Completion of Changes made under the Local Government Act, 1929
64
XXXII.
Acreage and Population at Census of 1931 of Counties with their Associated County Boroughs as Constituted (1) at Census of 1931, and (z) after Completion of Changes under Local Government Act, 1929
67
XXXIII.
1931 Census Populations of Regional Aggregates of County Boroughs and of altered County Boroughs as constituted (1) at Census of 1931, and (2) after Completion of Changes under Local Government Act, 1929
67
XXXIV.
Numbers of County Boroughs, Metropolitan Boroughs, Municipal Boroughs, Urban Districts, Rural Districts and Civil Parishes in each County of England and Wales at the Census of 1931 and after Changes under Local Government Act, 1929
69
XXXV.
Distribution of Metropolitan Boroughs, Municipal Boroughs and Urban Districts as Constituted at the Census of 1931, and after the Completion of Changes under the Local Government Act, 1929, According to the Size of their Respective Populations as Enumerated at the Census of 1931 in each case
72
XXXVI.
Numbers of Detached Parts of Civil Parishes by Counties, 1931
73
SEXES AGES AND MARITAL CONDITIONS
XXXVII.
Excess of Females by Age Groups, England and Wales
75
XXXVII.
Highest and Lowest Proportions of Females per 1,000 Males in Metropolitan Boroughs, County Boroughs and Administrative Counties
77
XXXIX.
Countries Arranged in Order of 1931 Sex Proportions, showing also 1921 Comparisons
78
XL.
Population of England and Wales in Age Groups, 1931 and 1921 and its Distribution per 10,000
83
XLI.
Population in Age Groups and Distribution per 1,000 Total Population at Successive Censuses, England and Wales, 1881-1931
86
XLII.
Sex and Age Constitution of Sections of the Population
86
XLIII.
Comparison of 1931 Census Populations at Ages over 10 with Survivors from the 1921 Census
95
XLIV.
Ungraduated and Graduated Survivorship Ratios – Ages 0-30, 1931
98
XLV.
Enumerated and Graduated Populations – Census 1931
98
XLVI.
Distribution by Sex, Age and Martial Condition, 1931
100
XLVII.
Martial Conditions: Proportions by Sex in Age Groups, England and Wales (1891-1931) and Geographical Regions (1931)
102
OCCUPATION AND INDUSTRY
Page
XLVIII.
Occupations of Males and Females aged 14 and over: Proportions According to Martial Condition and Industrial Status, England and Wales, 1931
112
XLIX.
Industry: Analysis by Industrial Status of Orders, Sub- Orders and Certain Numerically Important Industries, England and Wales, 1931
117
L.
Percentages Occupied and Out of Work in Regions, Counties, County Boroughs, and Other Urban Areas with Populations Exceeding 50,000
119
LI.
Distribution of Population over 14 years of Age by Occupational Order and Region
124
LII.
Fishermen: Distribution in 1921 and 1931
127
LIII.
Fishermen: Distribution in Certain County Areas, 1891-1931
128
LIV.
Agricultural Workers in Urban and Rural Areas of England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
129
LV.
Proportions of Agricultural Workers in the Rural Parts of Counties, 1931
130
LVI.
Agricultural Occupations in the Aggregates of Rural Districts in Counties, 1931
131
LVII.
Occupations of Males in and about Coal and Shale Mines, England and Wales, 1921 and 1931
132
LVIII.
Mining and Quarrying Occupations: Males: 1921 and 1931
133
LIX.
Coal and Shale Miners: Occupational Distribution in Certain Counties
137
LX.
Textile Workers: Geographical and Occupational Distribution
143
LXI.
Makers of Textile Goods and Articles of Dress: Distribution Summary
144
LXII.
Proprietors and Assistants in Retail Businesses, England and Wales
149
LXIII.
Percentages of Private Families with Resident Domestic Servants to Total Private Families, England and Wales, Census 1931
152
LXIV.
Percentage Out of Work among Occupied Persons in Certain Industrial Groups and Industries, Classified by Sex and Age, England and Wales, 1931
158
LXV.
Percentages Out of Work among Occupied Persons in Certain Occupations and Occupational Groups, Classified by Sex and Age, England and Wales, 1931
159
LXVI.
Percentages Out of Work among Occupied Persons by Regions, Administrative Counties, County Boroughs and Large Towns with Populations Exceeding 50,000
160
LXVII.
Proportions Occupied per 1,000 Males and Females Enumerated, by Age and Civil Condition, England and Wales, 1911, 1921 and 1931
163
BIRTHPLACE AND NATIONALITY
LXVIII.
Birthplaces: Numbers and Proportions Born
166
LXIX.
Birthplaces of Persons, Males and Females
168
LXX.
Birthplaces of the Population at Successive Censuses, England and Wales, 1851-1931
169
LXXI.
Birthplaces of the Population at Successive Censuses, England and Wales, 1851-1931(Proportions per 100,000 persons)
169
LXXII.
Regions, Administrative Counties (with Associated County Boroughs) and Large Towns with Highest Proportions of Natives of Scotland
170
LXXIII.
Regions, Administrative Counties (with Associated County Boroughs) and Large Towns with Highest Proportions of Natives of Ireland
172
LXXIV.
Persons Born in Dominions, Colonies, etc.
173
LXXV.
Regions, Administrative Counties (with Associated County Boroughs) and Large Towns with Highest Proportions of Colonial Born
174
LXXVI.
Persons Born in Foreign Countries, Distinguishing British Subjects and Foreigners, and Enumerated in England and Wales at each Census, 1851-1931
175
LXXVII.
Birthplaces of Persons of Foreign Nationality 1911, 1921 and 1931
177
LXXVIII.
Distribution of Foreigners (Including Persons Born Abroad of Unstated Nationality) in England and Wales, Classified by Regions and in Certain Large Towns with High Proportions
178
LXXIX.
Regional Distribution of Foreigners
179
LXXX.
Distribution by Sex, Age and Martial Condition per 10,000 Persons of Population Born in England and Wales Compared with Foreign Born Population
180
LXXXI.
Sex, Age and Martial Condition – Distribution per 10,000 Persons (Selected Foreign Countries)
181
WELSH LANGUAGE
LXXXII.
Proportional Numbers Speaking Welsh only and both English and Welsh, Wales and Monmouthshire, 1901-1931
184
LXXXIII.
Proportion per 1,000 of the Population Aged Three Years and Upwards at Certain Age Groups Returned as able to speak Welsh only and both English and Welsh, Wales and Monmouthshire, 1911, 1921 and 1931
184
LXXXIV.
Welsh Speaking Population, Proportion per 1,000 Persons Aged Three Years and Over in Counties, County Boroughs and Urban Areas with more than 50,000 Population
185
USUAL RESIDENCE
LXXXV.
Areas with Enumerated Population in Excess of Resident Population
189
LXXXVI.
Areas with Resident Population in Excess of Enumerated Population
190
DIAGRAMS
APPENDICES
A.
Copy of Householder’s Schedule (E), Census, England, 1931
193
B.
Constitution of the Geographical Regions, England and Wales, 1931 (with map)
195
C.
Constitution of Metropolitan Zones and Sectors (in terms of areas as existing in 1931) (with map)
197