Population

Population and Size of Badsworth

The population of the village varied little between 1801 and 1901 averaging around 200 inhabitants.

Baines Directory of York and Slaters Directory-"A History of Yorkshire", the Table of population Book held by held by Wakefield Archives details Badsworth as follows:

      Population census: 1801 - 182

                                   1811 - 196

                                   1821 - 200 

           1831 - 198

           1841 - 200

           1851 - 222

           1861 - 219

           1871 - 190

           1881 - 226

           1891 - 206

           1901 - 189

           1951 - 160

           1971 - 298

           1981 - 393

As can be seen the population of the village changed little during the 19^th Century, dictated largely by the number of inhabitants which the water supply could support.

The first half of the 20^th Century saw a decline in numbers, presumably as automation of agricultural techniques drove farm labourers to the towns and mines for work.

The 2001 census sees our numbers "lumped in" with those 15,635 inhabitants of the Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton Ward (see link below)  

but research undertaken at the time of the creation of the Village Plan suggests that the population of the village today has increased to more than 550.

 http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/AboutWakefield/Research/PopulationAndCensus/wakefieldresident.htm

 We would welcome any other detailed information you may have