How Rushden Has Grown

In roughly a hundred years up to March 1961, Rushden’s population increased from 1,748 to 17,140, it was revealed in the Urban Council’s abstract of accounts, which was presented at the council meeting on Wednesday.

From 1861 to 1960-61 inhabited premises increased from 381 to 6,112 and the town’s rateable value from £4,250 to £205,368.

The greatest leap in the population figures was shown to have taken place from 1891 to 1901 when the number of people in the town increased from 7,442 to 12,447.

At times during the hundred year period the population fell. From 1941 to 1944, for instance, probably due to the war, the figure fell from 17,600 to 15,140.

Generally, however, figures showed a gradual increase from the turn of the century.

Inhabited premises jumped from 723 in 1881 to 1,523 in 1891. By 1901 the figure was 2,575.

The town’s rateable value was shown to have increased about fourfold from 1925, when the population was 14,400, the number of inhabited premises 3,174 and the rateable value £49,744.

An analysis of housing progress over the years showed that 756 houses were erected by the council between 1920 and 1939, and 912 between 1945 and 1961. Twenty-six were built during 1960-61.