Our Hucknall Huthwaite History

Census Population Figures

Collating for the first time these separate Hucknall Huthwaite census figures may help indicate times of individual growth. The table also lists by rounded percentage, its comparable size in relation to numbers more easily found for Sutton-in-Ashfield. Earlier parish church registers often combined the Huthwaite area.

By extracting named Sutton tenants from all those given in a remarkable 1295 Mansfield Manor rental survey, historian G.G. Bonser claimed it is probable that the population would be about 400. Other parish included figures were first published 1838 by Dr. S. T. Hall, paraphrased as, beginning the 18th century there were but ninety five families in Sutton. Parish Clerk Thomas Dove conducted a 1770 door to door census still ambiguously recording families, 270 of whom lived in Sutton plus 80 in Huthwaite. A census taken 1793 by Sir Richard Sutton again included Huthwaite with a slovenly count totalling 3,492.

Year	Huthwaite	%	Sutton
1801	510	18	2,801
1811	608	18	3,386
1824	712	18	3,943
1831	929	19	4,805
1841	887	16	5,670
1851	1,154	18	6,554
1861	1,162	18	6,483
1871	1,547	20	7,574
1881	2,028	24	8,523
1891	3,022	29	10,562
1901	4,076	27	14,867
1911	5,235	24	21,708
1921	5,478	23	23,852
1931	5,836	23	25,151
1934	5,135	20	25,750
1941	-	-	-
1951	-	-	-
1961	4,571	-	27618
1971	4,570	-	26,850

The parliamentary or UK national census began 1801, although still only a simple head count. More detailed records from year 1841 provide a useful references for genealogy studies. Later figures can be confirmed among nearest dated gazetteers offering detailed Hucknall Huthwaite entries.

Boundary changes have been realised. After 1911 census part of the Sutton-in-Ashfield ecclesiastical parish with a population of 740, was transferred into the new Huthwaite parish. The parishes did reunite, however, the loss of an individual Huthwaite Urban District Council in 1935 through amalgamation into an enlarged Sutton U.D., and then outbreak of WWII, may add difficulty asserting later separated figures just covering a vaguely defined Huthwaite Ward.

Nevertheless, library research slowly reveals some press reportage on Urban District minutes, and the later figures are from detailed census publications. More recently, the Huthwaite area became broadly represented in the Ashfield district. Forming largest part of a Sutton West Ward its electorate may seem even less distinct among Sutton Town affairs. Last unverified claim suggests a Huthwaite population of 7,500. Recent new housing certainly still expands.

After compiling the given table there soon appeared one surprising find for this now past but long proud mining community. Graphed out makes it clearer how village growth did rapidly climb by sinking New Hucknall Colliery. But through closing its earlier pit, the hosiery trade also attracted major employment.