Preece Family History and One Name Study

The website dedicated to the research of Preece individuals and families worldwide


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Population Analysis - 1881 and 1999 - Area Summaries

Using the area groupings shown on the other pages, details are shown below for each of the areas in 1881 and 1999. Brief discussion of the figures follows after the tables.

Links to the other population pages are at the foot of this page.



1881
 
1999
Area Number Population (000's) Per 100K % of total   Number Population (000's) Per 100K Per 100K
North East 25 1301 1.9 0.51   147 2306 6.4 1.96
North West 160 4412 3.6 3.24   580 6890 8.4 7.75
Yorkshire & Humber 56 2886 1.9 1.14   358 4840 7.4 4.78
East Midlands 53 1935 2.7 1.07   321 4478 7.2 4.29
Western Midlands 3395 2467 137.6 68.85   2801 5333 52.5 37.44
East 38 1972 1.9 0.77   235 5377 4.4 3.14
London & South East 388 6989 5.6 7.87   860 15193 5.7 11.49
South West 297 2423 12.3 6.02   772 4899 15.8 10.32
                   
England Totals 4412 24385 18.1 89.47   6074 49316 12.3 81.18
Wales Totals 515 1563 32.9 10.44   1327 2934 45.2 17.74
Scotland Totals 4 3757 0.1 0.08   81 4993 1.6 1.08
                   
British Totals 4931 29705 16.6 100.00   7482 57243 13.1 100.00

 

Looking at the overall picture, it is clear that the number of Preece have dropped relative to the general population growth, by some 3 per 100,000. The balance of the Preece population within each of England, Scotland and Wales has also changed. Scotland as would be expected is still low, but Wales now accounts for over 17% of the total, compared to just 10% in 1881. A look back to the individual areas would show that this is down to the large increase in the industrial southern areas of Wales, attracted by the growth of employment. Once again, however, local circumstances mean that the opportunities for such growth to continue are limited, and another 100 years may see a change.

The figures for each of the areas reflect the more transient nature of life in the late 1990's, with every area bar one in England showing growth at some level. However, the details for the Western Midlands counties, the heart of the Preece population in 1881 make interesting reading. Whilst this is still the area with the greatest concentration of Preece, the figure per 100,000 has almost been caught by Wales. The Welsh figure has risen, as mentioned above, but much more dramatic has been the fall in the density for the West Midlands, where it has fallen by 85 per 100,000. The general population in this area has risen, but the Preece numbers have actually fallen, the only area this has been seen. Whereas in 1881 this area accounted for almost 70% of the total Preece population in Britain, it now has less than 40%.

The only other area with a higher than average density is the South West, and reflects a rise in population in all of those counties. As would be expected London and the South East has the second largest concentration in the country, and the density has kept pace with 1881.

All of the other areas have shown growth in density, and population, and all benefit from the fall in the Western Midlands counties discussed above.

Overall, it needs to be remembered that these figures are underestimates, for the reasons outlined earlier, but the general trends will still hold true. In view of the large families which used to exist 100 years ago, and the much lower numbers of children seen (generally) in each family in recent years, it would be interesting to be able to conduct a review of the family groupings in each period, but the only way to do so for the 1999 figures would be to visit each of the entries in the electoral roll, something which unfortunately time does not allow!!

Links to other population pages
1881 and 1999 Comparison
1881 Residence and Place of Birth