Bristol (County Borough) through time

Bristol County Borough

Created: 1835 Abolished: 1974

Statistics

Population

Densities and rates of growth. Age structure: concentrations of young people, and of the old.

Industry

How people made their living: identifying farming communities, pit villages, mill towns and so on.

Social Structure

Social class and socio-economic groups. Concentrations of professionals, and of unskilled labourers.

Learning & Language

How many people were at school. The distribution of graduates, and of the unqualified.

Life & Death

Numbers of babies born. Deaths, especially infant deaths. Causes of death by age and gender.

Work & Poverty

Unemployment rates and poor relief. What proportions of men and of women did paid work?

Housing

Numbers of houses. Overcrowding: persons per room. Amenities: central heating, baths and WCs.

Birthplace & Religion

Numbers going to church, and the kinds of churches they went to. The different religions of modern Britain.

Place marker map of Great Britain and Ireland

Bristol County Borough

Alternative names

The following alternate names for this unit exist:

Name	Status	Language	Start	End	Authority
BRISTOL	Preferred	English			F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 609.
E130345	CASWEB identifiers for 1971 Local Govt Districts	English

Lower level units

This unit contained the following units:

Name	Type	Start	End	Authority
AVON LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
BEDMINSTER LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
BEDMINSTER AP/CP	Parish-level Unit	1835	1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 416.
BISHOPSTON LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
BISHOPSWORTH LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
BRISLINGTON LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
BRISTOL CP	Parish-level Unit	1898		F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 165.
BRISTOL ALL SAINTS AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 165.
BRISTOL CASTLE PRECINCTS CP/ExP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 165.
BRISTOL CHRISTCHURCH CP/AP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 166.
BRISTOL ST AUGUSTINE AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 166.
BRISTOL ST EWEN CP/AP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 166.
BRISTOL ST JAMES AND ST PAUL OUT AP/CP	Parish-level Unit	1868	1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 166.
BRISTOL ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CP/AP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 166.
BRISTOL ST LEONARD CP/AP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST MARY LE PORT AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST MARY REDCLIFFE CP/Ch	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 418.
BRISTOL ST MICHAEL AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST NICHOLAS CP/AP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST PAUL IN CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST PETER AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST PHILIP AND ST JACOB IN CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST PHILIP AND ST JACOB OUT CP	Parish-level Unit			F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST STEPHEN AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL ST THOMAS AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 418.
BRISTOL ST WERBURGH AP/CP	Parish-level Unit			F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 167.
BRISTOL TEMPLE AP/CP	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 418.
CABOT LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
CENTRAL BRISTOL CP	Parish-level Unit	1896	1898	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 165.
CLIFTON CP/AP	Parish-level Unit		1898	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 170.
CLIFTON LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
DISTRICT LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
DURDHAM LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
EASTON LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
EASTVILLE LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
HENBURY LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
HENGROVE LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
HILLFIELDS LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
HORFIELD LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
KNOWLE LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
NORTH BRISTOL CP	Parish-level Unit	1896	1898	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 165.
REDLAND CP/Ch	Parish-level Unit		1896	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 183.
REDLAND LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
SOMERSET LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
SOUTH BRISTOL CP	Parish-level Unit	1896	1898	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 165.
SOUTHMEAD LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
SOUTHVILLE LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
STAPLETON LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
ST GEORGE EAST LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
ST GEORGE WEST LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
STOCKWOOD LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
ST PAUL LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
ST PHILIP AND JACOB LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
WESTBURY ON TRYM CP/AP	Parish-level Unit	1880s	1894	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 189.
WESTBURY ON TRYM LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.
WINDMILL HILL LG_Ward	Parish-level Unit			1961 Census of England and Wales, Table 3, 'Acreage, Population, Private Households and Dwellings', for 'LAA, Wards, CP in RD, Con, NT'.

Other related units

This unit was associated with the following other units:

Nature of association	Other unit involved	Type of unit	Authority
was succeeded by	BRISTOL	Built-up Area	Office for National Statistics, Open Geography Portal (Built Up Areas (December 2024) Boundaries EW)

Higher level units

This unit was part of the following units:

Name	Type	Start	End	Authority
GLOUCESTERSHIRE	Administrative County	1835	1974	F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 609.

Boundaries and changes

This unit was affected by the following changes:

Date	Type of change	Other unit involved	Area transferred	Authority
01 Apr 1933	was enlarged by the abolition of	CHIPPING SODBURY RD	parts of Filton and Winterbourne CPs Area: 134 acres. Population in 1931: 300.	1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 77130. The Somerset Review Order, 1933; 1.4.1935 M. of H. Order No. 80904. The County of Gloucester Review Order, 1935
01 Apr 1933	was enlarged by the abolition of	KEYNSHAM RD	Brislington CP and part of Whitchurch CP Area: 2002 acres. Population in 1931: 4307.	1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 77130. The Somerset Review Order, 1933; 1.4.1935 M. of H. Order No. 80904. The County of Gloucester Review Order, 1935
01 Apr 1933	was enlarged by gaining part of	LONG ASHTON RD	part of Bishopsworth CP Area: 887 acres. Population in 1931: 723.	1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 77130. The Somerset Review Order, 1933; 1.4.1935 M. of H. Order No. 80904. The County of Gloucester Review Order, 1935
01 Apr 1933	was enlarged by gaining part of	THORNBURY RD	part of Henbury CP Area: 1714 acres. Population in 1931: 1606.	1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 77130. The Somerset Review Order, 1933; 1.4.1935 M. of H. Order No. 80904. The County of Gloucester Review Order, 1935
01 Apr 1935	was reduced to create	SODBURY RD	Area: 5 acres. Population in 1931: 0.	1931 Census of England and Wales, Table B, 'Areas altered between 26th April, 1931 and 30th June, 1934, showing constitution as at the latter date, in terms of constitution as at the former date, together with particulars of acreage and population'.; M. of H. Order No. 80904. The County of Gloucester Review Order, 1935
01 Apr 1951	was enlarged by gaining part of	BATHAVON RD	part of Whitchurch CP Area: 985 acres.	1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; The Somerset and Bristol (Alteraton of boundaries) Order, 1951
01 Apr 1951	was reduced to enlarge	CLEVEDON UD		1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; The Somerset and Bristol (Alteration of boundaries) Order, 1951
01 Apr 1951	was enlarged by gaining part of	LONG ASHTON RD	parts of Bishopsworth, Dundry, Easton In Gordano, Long Ashton CPs Area: 1175 acres.	1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; The Somerset and Bristol (Alteraton of boundaries) Order, 1951
01 Apr 1951	was reduced to enlarge	LONG ASHTON RD	Area: 100 acres.	1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; The Somerset and Bristol (Alteration of boundaries) Order, 1951
01 Apr 1951	was reduced to enlarge	PORTISHEAD UD	Area: 116 acres.	1951 Census of England and Wales, Table 5, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 30th June, 1934, and 8th April, 1951)', for 'Administrative Areas (excluding Wards)'.; The Somerset and Bristol (Alteration of boundaries) Order, 1951
01 Apr 1966	was enlarged by gaining part of	BATHAVON RD	part of Whitchurch CP Area: 15 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was reduced to enlarge	KEYNSHAM UD	Area: 1 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was enlarged by gaining part of	KINGSWOOD UD	Area: 2 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was reduced to enlarge	KINGSWOOD UD	Area: 2 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was enlarged by gaining part of	LONG ASHTON RD	part of Long Ashton CP Area: 9 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was enlarged by gaining part of	MANGOTSFIELD UD	Area: 36 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was enlarged by gaining part of	SODBURY RD	Pats of Filton, Stoke Gifford, Winterbourne CPs Area: 21 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was reduced to enlarge	SODBURY RD	Area: 39 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966
01 Apr 1966	was enlarged by the abolition of	THORNBURY RD	parts of Almondsbury, Redwick and Northwick CPs Area: 250 acres.	1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966

Boundary Map of Bristol County Borough

Base layer:

Show boundary:

If the boundaries of the Local Government District changed over time, this map will show all the different boundaries.

Maps Census reports

How to reference this page:

GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Bristol (County Borough) through time, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10153311

Date accessed: 09th December 2025