1901 The population of Preston

View of Preston Docks
This photograph was taken at the beginning of the twentieth century.
It shows how much the skyline had changed since 1728

In 1901, when the national census was taken, Preston had a population of nearly 119,000, almost ten times as many as in 1801.

By the beginning of the 20th century Preston's population growth was slowing down. The town's industries were no longer attracting people from other parts of the region. The cotton trade was at the peak of its success. By 1901 many people were moving out from the central districts of the town because of pollution, congestion and poor housing. New houses were built in Fulwood, Ashton and Penwortham where there was more open space and cleaner air. These were the fastest-growing parts of the Preston by the beginning of the 20th century.

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