1951 Census of England and Wales, Occupation Tables (Laid before Parliament pursuant to Section 4 (1), Census Act, 1920), Table 20 : " Selected Occupations with Status Aggregates for EW, Regions of E, W, Con, AC, CB, MetB, Urban Areas with Population of 50,000 or more".

Show England Dep table	Bedfordshire AdmC	Bedford MB Luton CB/MB

Occupation	Males [1]	Females [2]
Total Population	155,436	156,501
Pop aged 15 & over	120,372	123,517
I-XXVII Occupied	107,576	42,435
XXVIII Retired & unocc.	12,796	81,082
Employers	2,694	292
Managers	4,257	898
Operatives	92,807	39,329
Working on own account	6,760	1,402
Out of Work	1,058	514
I. FISHERMEN	1	0
II. AGRICULTURAL, ETC OCCUPATIONS	10,375	637
1. Agricultural and horticultural occupations	9,412	628
Farmers	2,052	91
Market gardeners, etc. and foremen	1,289	53
Other gardeners	750	9
Other agricultural workers	5,321	475
2. Occupations ancillary to agriculture	831	8
Agricultural machine owners, drivers	729	6
3. Foresters and woodmen	132	1
III. MINING & QUARRYING OCCUPATIONS	293	0
1. In coal mines	1	0
Subordinate superintending staff	0	0
Workers below ground: Coal cutting etc machine men	0	0
Workers below ground: Hewers & getters (by hand)	1	0
Workers below ground: Conveying material to the shaft	0	0
Workers below ground: Developing workings in rock	0	0
Workers below ground: Repairing & maintaining roads	0	0
Other workers below ground	0	0
Workers above ground in coal mines	0	0
2. In other mines, quarries, brine pits	292	0
Underground workers in mines	11	0
Getters in open quarries, pits, etc	85	0
IV. WORKERS IN CERAMICS, GLASS, CEMENT, ETC.	1,343	66
1. Makers of bricks, pottery, etc	1,216	41
Brick, etc, moulders, etc	450	34
Potters, pottery makers and casters	6	2
Pottery finishers and decorators	5	0
Kiln and oven men, setters and placers	629	2
2. Makers of glass and glass ware	36	16
3. Makers of other mining products (not metal)	91	9
V. COAL GAS, ETC. MAKERS, WORKERS IN CHEMICALS	558	25
1. Workers in coal, gas and coke	109	0
2. Workers in chemical and allied trades	449	25
VI. WORKERS IN METAL MANUFACTURE, ENGINEERING	22,115	2,077
1. Foremen, overlookers	1,239	23
Fitting, Erecting	299	0
Electrical work	170	5
2. Furnacemen (not annealing or foundry)	45	1
3. Rolling and tube mill workers, wire drawers	7	0
Rollers and their assistants	3	0
4. Foundry workers (excluding pattern makers)	1,284	48
Iron or steel moulders and core makers	699	37
Non-ferrous moulders and core makers	84	3
Other ferrous foundry workers	454	8
5. Smiths, forgemen	170	2
Blacksmiths	154	0
6. Annealers, hardeners, temperers, picklers	164	2
7. Sheet metal workers, metal spinners, etc.	801	8
8. Platers, riveters, shipwrights	106	7
Platers	60	0
Platers' labourers	3	0
Riveters, caulkers	34	7
Shipwrights	8	0
9. Metal machinists	3,770	201
Press tool setters	97	7
Turners	787	8
Drillers (hand or machine)	603	87
Machine setters, setter-operators	2,283	105
10. Fitters, machine erectors	7,415	36
Precision fitters, tool makers, etc.	2,272	11
Machine erectors, maintenance engineers	2,716	9
Motor and motor cycle mechanics	1,246	1
Fitters, fitter assemblers	849	10
Machine erectors', fitters', etc. mates	325	5
11. Metal finishers	494	83
Glazers, polishers, buffers and moppers	282	43
12. Plumbers, pipe fitters, etc.	934	1
Plumbers (not chemical plumbers)	579	1
Plumbers' labourers	43	0
Gas fitters	156	0
Pipe fitters	148	0
13. Vehicle makers and repairers (n.e.s)	90	3
14. Watch, clock, instrument makers (n.e.s.)	390	67
Scientific instrument makers, repairers	308	65
Watch, etc. makers and repairers	79	1
15. Workers in precious metals, gem setters	10	1
16. Electrical apparatus makers, etc. (n.e.s.)	2,264	365
Radio and radar mechanics	161	2
Others in electrical communications	252	1
Electrical Fitters	696	20
Electricians (house, ship, factory)	925	6
Linemen and cable jointers	129	1
17. Inspectors, viewers, testers	1,293	918
Electrical work	97	98
18. Other skilled workers	1,639	311
Oxy-acetylene or electric welders, etc.	807	62
Constructional engineers, erectors	99	0
Press workers and stampers, drawers	509	784
VII. TEXTILE WORKERS	222	317
Foremen	14	7
1. Openers, sorters, blenders, carders, etc.	13	4
Carders, combers, drawers, etc.	4	1
2. Spinners, doublers	1	2
Spinners, piecers	1	1
Doublers, twisters, silk throwsters	0	1
3. Winders, warpers, sizers, drawers-in	0	66
Winders, reelers	0	62
Beamers, warpers	0	4
4. Weavers	9	39
Weavers (not carpets)	5	39
5. Knitters	12	53
6. Bleachers, dyers, finishers	167	133
Lookers, examiners, burlers, menders	3	30
Dye house workers	111	12
7. Other skilled workers	20	20
Grinders, jobbers, tacklers, etc.	6	0
VIII. LEATHER WORKERS, FUR DRESSERS	826	362
1. Leather tanners and dressers, fur dressers	337	64
2. Boot and Shoe makers	443	241
Makers and repairers (not factory)	284	9
Clickers, pattern cutters	32	3
Closers	7	74
Other boot and shoe makers	111	155
3. Makers of leather or substitute goods	46	57
IX. MAKERS OF TEXTILE GOODS AND ARTICLES OF DRESS	1,831	6,125
1. Garment workers	350	2,512
Foremen, overlookers	13	51
Cutters	61	55
Tailors	187	180
Dressmakers and light clothing makers	6	387
Machinists	25	1,433
Pressers	46	141
2. Hat and cap makers, milliners (makers)	1,119	3,231
3. Upholsterers, etc., bedding makers	313	120
Upholsterers, coach trimmers, etc.	302	112
4. Other makers	49	262
X. MAKERS OF FOODS, DRINKS AND TOBACCO	1,168	533
1. Makers of foods	946	321
Foremen, overlookers	60	27
Bakers, dough mixers, etc.	604	97
2. Makers of alcoholic drinks	131	31
3. Makers of non-alcoholic drinks	16	1
4. Makers of tabacco, cigars, cigarettes	75	180
XI. WORKERS WOOD, CANE AND CORK	3,319	75
Foremen, overlookers	143	0
Cabinet makers	113	7
Carpenters, joiners	1,750	9
Coach and cart builders: body build	380	0
Coopers, hoop makers and benders	11	0
Packing case makers	77	19
Pattern makers (wood or undefined)	253	0
Sawyers, wood cuttting machinists	386	15
XII. MAKERS OF, WORKERS IN, PAPER; PRINTERS	1,370	782
1. Makers of paper, paperboard	11	22
2. Workers, in paper and paperboard	194	246
Pressers, stampers, cutters	118	33
Paperboard box makers (n.e.s.)	25	113
Machine makers, layers-on	32	63
3. Printers, bookbinders	1,165	514
Foremen, overlookers	64	16
Compositors (hand or machine)	334	1
Stereotypers, electrotypers	34	0
Printing reproduction workers	72	10
Printing machine room workers	358	122
Bookbinders	111	301
XIII. MAKERS OF PRODUCTS (N.E.S.)	584	206
1. Workers in rubber	297	78
Mixers, spreaders, moulders	141	24
2. Workers in plastics moulding, manipulating	86	40
3. Makers of musical instruments	30	1
Piano tuners	23	1
4. Makers of other products	171	87
Dental mechanics	87	1
XIV. WORKERS IN BUILDING AND CONTRACTING	5,558	10
Foremen, gangers	314	0
Clerks of works	64	0
Builders' labourers	653	2
Bricklayers	1,188	2
Bricklayers' labourers	393	0
Plasterers	166	0
Plasterers labourers	42	0
Glaziers	31	0
Slaters and tilers	44	0
Masons, stone cutters	52	2
Masons' labourers	3	0
Platelayers	258	0
Paviors, street masons and asphalters	25	0
Other skilled workers	538	0
XV. PAINTERS AND DECORATORS	2,324	77
Foremen, overlookers	66	0
Aerographers, paint sprayers	265	44
French polishers	73	6
XVI. ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECTORS, MANAGERS (N.E.S.)	2,910	256
Civil Service higher officers	24	4
Civil Service executive officers	205	40
Local Authority officers	157	16
Secretaries of companies, etc.	146	56
Heads or managers of office departments	332	34
1. Managers in industrial undertakings	2,046	106
Mining, ceramics, glass, cement, etc.	62	0
Chemical and allied trades	65	3
Engineering and allied trades	926	22
Textiles and leather goods	388	43
Building and contracting	286	7
XVII. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN TRANSPORT, ETC.	7,300	803
1. Railway transport workers	943	24
Railway officials	48	0
Locomotive engine drivers; motormen	179	0
Locomotive engine firemen	113	0
Locomotive running shed workers	36	0
Guards	64	0
Signalmen	144	0
Shunters, pointsmen, level crossing men	81	4
Porters (including lampmen)	242	17
2. Road transport workers	5,026	192
Passenger transport managers	29	3
Haulage contractors and managers	126	6
Inspectors and foremen (not horse)	131	1
Horse drivers, foremen, grooms	152	7
Drivers of trams and trolleybuses	2	0
Drivers of buses and coaches	557	3
Drivers of other passenger vehicles	332	4
Drivers of goods vehicles	3,053	20
Lorry drivers' mates, van guards, etc.	159	1
Bus and tram conductors	323	141
Garage proprietors and managers	117	5
3. Water transport workers	83	2
Ship-owners, brokers, agents; dock, canal officials	6	0
Wharfingers and stevedores	4	0
Navigating officers and pilots	8	0
Other seagoing workers	39	1
Bargemen, boatmen, tugmen	12	1
Dock labourers	13	0
4. Air transport workers	34	1
5. Other workers in communications, etc.	1,214	584
Postmen, post office sorters	364	90
Radio, etc. operators (n.e.s.)	125	40
Telephone operators	86	346
Messengers	141	10
Lift attendants	10	0
Porters (n.e.s.)	208	0
XVIII. COMMERCIAL, FINANCE, ETC. (EXC. CLERICAL)	7,856	4,711
1. Commercial occupations	7,104	4,672
Owners, etc. of wholesale businesses	518	19
Brokers, agents, factors (n.e.s.)	50	5
Buyers (not manufacturers')	56	36
Sales managers (manufacturers')	152	2
Advertising agents and managers	44	2
Commercial travellers, canvassers	791	21
1.. Owners, etc. of retail businesses	2,695	891
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Grocery, provisions	589	198
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Greengrocery	245	52
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Meat	301	13
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Fish, poultry	88	10
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Other food goods	104	36
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Chemists' wares, photographic goods	44	7
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: Confectionary, tobacco, newspapers	220	95
Owners, etc. of retail businesses: General and mixed businesses	159	117
1.. Salesmen, shop assistants:-	1,709	3,510
Salesmen, shop assistants: Grocery, provisions	335	869
Salesmen, shop assistants: Greengrocery	77	113
Salesmen, shop assistants: Meat	341	33
Salesmen, shop assistants: Fish, poultry	72	27
Salesmen, shop assistants: Other food goods	31	228
Salesmen, shop assistants: Chemists' wares, photographic goods	20	192
Salesmen, shop assistants: Confectionary, tobacco, newspapers	42	200
Salesmen, shop assistants: In variety chain stores	2	335
Salesmen, shop assistants: In other general and mixed businesses	29	141
Roundsmen, van salesmen	585	51
Coal carmen, coal hawkers	210	0
Costermongers and other hawkers	136	27
2. Persons employed in finance and insurance	752	39
Bankers, bank managers, inspectors	52	0
Insurance managers, underwriters	169	4
Insurance agents and canvassers	342	26
Auctioneers, estate agents, valuers	123	7
XIX. PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL (EXC. CLERICAL)	5,219	3,169
Religious professions	226	45
Clergymen (Church of England)	129	2
Legal professions	109	0
Medical professions	282	33
Physicians, surgeons, etc.	202	31
Dental practitioners	58	2
Veterinary surgeons and practitioners	22	0
Nurses and midwives	133	1,164
Trained nurses, midwives	99	770
Assistant nurses	16	94
Student nurses	18	215
Nursery nurses	0	85
Medical auxiliary professions	216	135
Pharmacists	69	8
Physiotherapists, masseurs	11	15
Teaching professions	812	1,248
Teachers of music	17	64
Engineering, etc. professions	2,111	146
Civil, structural engineers	160	0
Mechanical engineers	315	0
Electrical engineers	135	1
Surveyors	155	2
Architects, town planners	91	1
Industrial designers, draughtsmen	1,221	132
Scientific professions	677	193
Chemists, metallugists	162	13
Laboratory assistants, technicians	367	147
Qualified accountants	226	3
Authors, journalists, publicists	95	21
Librarians (not booksellers)	31	70
Social welfare workers	72	71
Painters, sculptors, engravers	41	17
XX. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN DEFENCE SERVICES	7,779	161
1. Armed forces	6,869	145
2. Civilian defence services	910	16
Police superintendants, etc.	30	1
Police, other ranks	393	12
Fire brigade officers and men	146	2
Watchmen	165	0
XXI. PERSONS ENGAGED IN ENTERTAINMENTS AND SPORT	404	54
Actors, variety artistes, entertainers	31	17
Musicians	16	9
Cinematograph operators	56	2
Bookmakers	54	6
XXII. PERSONS ENGAGED IN PERSONAL SERVICE	2,992	8,745
Proprietors and managers of restaurants	218	242
Lodging and boarding house keepers	50	167
Proprietors and managers of hotels	38	32
Publicans, beersellers, innkeepers	490	118
Barmen, barmaids	58	138
Waiters, waitresses, still room hands	65	399
Restaurant counter hands	11	214
Hall and hotel porters; doorkeepers	70	0
Stewards and matrons in institutions	13	100
Hospital or ward orderlies, attendants	99	157
Barbers, hairdressers, manicurists	251	375
Photographers (not printing trades)	81	40
Caretakers, office keepers	257	105
Charwomen, office cleaners	90	971
Laundry workers, dry cleaners	135	734
Window cleaners	189	0
1. Domestic servants (indoor):-	430	4,541
Cooks	197	752
Kitchen hands	152	1,371
Chambermaids, house, etc., maids	0	218
XXIII. CLERKS, TYPISTS, ETC.	5,161	8,282
Clerks (n.e.s.)	3,557	3,157
Shorthand typists, secretaries	80	2,554
Typists	4	706
Other office machine operators	17	503
Costing and accounting clerks	1,503	1,362
XXIV. WAREHOUSEMEN, STOREKEEPERS, PACKERS, ETC.	3,228	1,348
Warehousemen	385	13
Storekeepers	1,939	62
Warehouse and storekeepers' assistants	338	125
XXV. STATIONARY ENGINE DRIVERS, STOKERS, ETC.	1,305	10
1. Stationary engine drivers:-	154	3
Underground in mines	0	0
Crane drivers	196	2
Drivers of civil engineering plant	239	0
Slingers and riggers	76	0
Boiler firemen and stokers	529	3
Oilers and greasers	60	1
XXVI. WORKERS IN UNSKILLED OCCUPATIONS (N.E.S.)	10,685	3,435
Assemblers (n.e.s.)	767	839
1. Machine minders:-	2,511	662
Engineering and allied trades	2,456	561
Labourers, other unskilled workers	7,407	1,934
XXVII. OTHER AND UNDEFINED WORKERS	850	169
1. Workers in distribution of gas, water, etc.	161	0
2. Other workers	689	169
XXVIII. RETIRED AND NOT GAINFULLY OCCUPIED	12,796	81,082
Students in educational institutions	1,641	1,374
Retired from gainful occupation	8,528	1,473
No gainful occupation stated	2,519	78,207

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This website does not try to provide an exact replica of the original printed census tables, which often had thousands of rows and far more columns than will fit on our web pages. Instead, we let you drill down from national totals to the most detailed data available. The column headings are those that appeared in the original printed report. The numbers presented here, which are the same ones we use to create statistical maps and graphs, come from the census table and have usually been carefully checked.

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