1801 Preston's first census is taken

Handloom weavers cottages in Snow Hill, Preston dating from the 1790s.
At first cotton weavers worked at home in basement workshops seen clearly on this photograph.
This photograph was taken prior to their demolition in the 1950s.

When the first national census was taken in 1801 Preston had a total population of 13,316.

New factories spinning cotton were being set up throughout the town by people like John Horrocks. This was attracting workers from outside the area. Many became spinners in the new factories or handloom weavers, whose job was to weave cloth from the yarn spun in the factories. New houses were built to house the new workers.