In this piece I’ve produced a series of charts, graphs and tables with information about Batley’s population figures between 1801 and 1939. This is by way of general background about the town where the parish of St Mary of the Angels is located.
This first table shows the population of Batley between 1801 and 1939. It includes the male/female split. It also shows the population change, although do be aware the years before 1911 are not directly comparable with those after because of a boundary change in 1910.
Population of Batley 1801-1939
| Year | Male | Female | Total | Change |
| 1801 | 1,275 | 1,299 | 2,574 | |
| 1811 | 1,483 | 1,492 | 2,975 | 401 |
| 1821 | 1,827 | 1,890 | 3,717 | 742 |
| 1831 | 2,432 | 2,409 | 4,841 | 1,124 |
| 1841 | 3,527 | 3,549 | 7,076 | 2,235 |
| 1851 | 4,526 | 4,782 | 9,308 | 2,232 |
| 1861 | 6,834 | 7,339 | 14,173 | 4,865 |
| 1871 | 9,974 | 10,897 | 20,871 | 6,698 |
| 1881 | 12,907 | 14,598 | 27,505 | 6,634 |
| 1891 | 13,350 | 15,369 | 28,719 | 1,214 |
| 1901 | 14,125 | 16,196 | 30,321 | 1,602 |
| 1911 | 16,934 | 19,455 | 36,389 | 6,068 |
| 1921 | 16,671 | 19,490 | 36,137 | -252 |
| 1931 | 16,047 | 18,526 | 34,573 | -1564 |
| 1939 | 18,096 | 20,943 | 39,639 | 4,673 |
1. 1911 onwards is not directly comparable with previous years as the Soothill Upper Urban District was now included as part of Batley. The population of Soothill Upper was 4,960 in 1911. If Soothill Upper was included in Batley in 1901 the adjusted population would be 34,780. The relevant order incorporating Soothill Upper Urban District was the Batley (Extension) Order 1909, which came into operation on 31 March 1910.
2. The 1881 census indicates Batley’s population was 27,505. Some other sources state 27,508. I have used the official census figure.
3. The 1911 official census figure is 36,389. However, the Medical Officer Health Reports consistently use 36,395.
4. The 1939 figure is based on the 1939 Register, not a census.
This next chart illustrates Batley’s population, split between males and females, in stacked columns.
The third chart is a simple line format one with markers showing the total population.
A quick tip, if you have difficulty reading the details in any of the images, click on it to enlarge.
Postscript:
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Past To Present Genealogy 