West Yorkshire existed as an administrative unit from 1974 to 1986. Since 1986, its constituent boroughs have become independent administrative units (unitary authorities), and West Yorkshire now exists solely as a geographic and ceremonial county. It covers the urban area developed within the River Aire and the River Calder valleys, stretching from the Pennines in the west to the Vale of York in the east, and north into Airedale and Wharfedale.[1]
The population of West Yorkshire is 2,378,148 according to mid-2022 population figures published by the Office for National Statistics. West Yorkshire's population growth rate between mid-2021 and mid-2022 was 1.2% per year. West Yorkshire covers an area of 2,029 square kilometers (783 square miles) and has a population density of 1,172 people per square kilometer (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2022.[2]
According to the latest 2021 census, the population in West Yorkshire is predominantly white (77%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 23% of the population.[2]
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West Yorkshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractionsWest Yorkshire landscape, industry, agriculture, and attractions
West Yorkshire's landscape tells a compelling story of natural formation and human influence, shaped by both geological processes and centuries of industrial development. The region's topography is characterized by a dramatic transition from the Pennine uplands in the west to the lower-lying valleys of the eastern districts.[3] The West Yorkshire landscape is not static; it is constantly evolving. Urban areas expand, new developments emerge, and the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent. Yet, the region's underlying character remains, shaped by its unique blend of natural beauty and industrial heritage.[4]
The West Yorkshire economy has undergone major restructuring in the 21st century, with a marked decline in traditional industries of coal, wool textiles, clothing and engineering partly counter-balanced by growth in the service sector. Leeds in particular has benefited from financial, call centre and professional services expansion and is now the largest legal centre outside London.[5]
West Yorkshire is a significant center for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the UK, with opportunities for developing technologies in vertical farming, aquaponics, and other areas, and a strong market demand for locally grown produce.[6] In 2023, the total income from farming in this region reached £551 million, a 10% drop compared to the previous year.[7] The largest contributors to the region's £3.3 billion agricultural output were pigmeat (£572 million), poultry (£394 million), wheat (£363 million), and fresh vegetables (£272 million). Together, these commodities made up nearly half (49%) of the total output value.[8] The average farm size in 2023 was 94 hectares, making it the fourth largest average farm size among English regions and exceeding the national average of 88 hectares. Grazing livestock farms were the most common, representing 40% of the region's holdings, followed by cereal farms at 21%. Interestingly, while pig farms only constituted 4.2% of the region's holdings, the region itself housed 40% of England's entire pig population.[9]
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is best known for its stunning scenery and great natural attractions such as Malham Cove and Aysgarth Falls. Hardcastle Crags is known as the Switzerland of Yorkshire. The Hepworth Museum in Wakefield is a cultural highlight in West Yorkshire. The Wakefield Cathedral is over 800 years old and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. It is still a working church today.[10] The Piece Hall is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Britain. Shibden Hall is a magnificent historic house dating back to 1420.
West Yorkshire historyWest Yorkshire history
West Yorkshire was established in 1974 as a metropolitan county in England. It was created by the Local Government Act 1972 from West Riding of York. For this reason, the history of West Yorkshire County is essentially that of Yorkshire as a whole. The historic county of Yorkshire is now made up of the four ceremonial counties of East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire.[11]
The earliest evidence of human habitation in West Yorkshire dates back to the Mesolithic period (around 8000 BC), when hunter-gatherers roamed the area. Over time, these early inhabitants transitioned to a more settled agricultural lifestyle, leaving behind traces of their presence in the form of burial mounds, stone circles, and other ancient monuments.
In the 1st century, the Romans arrived in West Yorkshire, establishing a significant presence in the region. They built forts, roads, and settlements, including the important city of Eboracum (modern-day York), which served as a major Roman stronghold.[12] The Romans brought with them new technologies, ideas, and trade networks, leaving a lasting impact on the area.[13]
Following the Roman withdrawal in the early 5th century, West Yorkshire experienced a period of upheaval and transition. The Anglo-Saxons, a Germanic people, began to migrate to the region, eventually establishing control over much of the area. The Anglo-Saxon period saw the development of new kingdoms and settlements, as well as the introduction of Christianity to the region.[14]
In 1066, Harald Hardrada of Norway invaded England but was defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Shortly after, William of Normandy conquered England and became king. In 1069, after renewed rebellions in Yorkshire, William enacted the "Harrying of the North," a scorched earth policy that resulted in widespread starvation.[15]
Yorkshire recovered in the 12th and 13th centuries, with many new towns founded, including Barnsley, Doncaster, Kingston upon Hull, Leeds, Northallerton, Pontefract, Richmond, Scarborough, and Sheffield. Numerous monasteries were also established, such as Bolton Priory, Bridlington Priory, and Pontefract Priory.[15]
In the 15th century, West Yorkshire was shaped by the Wars of the Roses, including major battles like Wakefield (1460) and Towton (1461). Despite the Black Death's population decline, the region's wool industry thrived, with towns like Halifax becoming textile hubs and driving economic growth. Culturally, Anglo-Scandinavian influences blended with the emerging English identity amidst political upheaval.[11]
The 16th century was a time of significant change in England, marked by the Reformation and the rise of Tudor power. West Yorkshire, like the rest of the country, was impacted by these events, with religious tensions and social upheaval. However, the region also saw the growth of its wool industry, which would become a defining feature of its identity in later centuries.[15]
The 17th century was a turbulent period in English history, marked by the English Civil Wars. West Yorkshire was caught in the midst of this conflict, with battles and skirmishes taking place in the region. The war had a profound impact on the area, leading to changes in political power and social structures.[16]
The 18th century saw the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution, which would transform West Yorkshire into a major industrial center. The Industrial Revolution's impact on West Yorkshire was delayed. While technological advancements in industries like coal mining, textiles, and steam engine manufacturing occurred elsewhere in the 17th and 18th centuries,[17] West Yorkshire's abundant coal and water resources eventually fueled its own industrial growth, particularly in textiles, leading to rapid urbanization and population increase.[18]
The 19th century was the height of the Industrial Revolution in West Yorkshire. The region's textile industry flourished, and new industries such as coal mining and iron production emerged. This period saw the growth of major industrial cities like Leeds, Bradford, and Huddersfield, as well as the development of extensive transportation networks.[19]
The 20th century brought further changes to West Yorkshire, with the decline of traditional industries and the rise of new sectors such as services and technology. The region also experienced significant social and cultural changes, including immigration and the development of a diverse population.[20]
West Yorkshire parishes and unparished areasWest Yorkshire parishes and unparished areas
West Yorkshire Metropolitan County in central England is divided into five districts: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield (the county town). The governmental structure of West Yorkshire has substantially changed with the latest changes in 2007 with the formation of the Leeds City Region Partnership. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority replaced the Leeds City Region Partnership in 2012. Each district is divided into parishes.[21]
West Yorkshire geographyWest Yorkshire geography
The Pennine Hills with peaks rising to around 500 meters (1,640 feet) are the source of the county's main rivers: the River Ouse, the River Aire, the River Wharfe, the River Dewent, and the River Swale. The river valleys, such as the Aire Valley formed by the River Aire, have historically been the cradle of West Yorkshire's industry, their fertile lands and water power attracting settlements and mills. Here, cities like Leeds and Bradford have grown, their stone buildings a testament to the region's rich industrial heritage. The Vale of York is a gently rolling landscape bordered by hills to the east and a limestone ridge to the west. It connects the more diverse farmland to the north with the flatlands to the south. Several rivers, including the Swale, Ure, Derwent, Nidd, and Foss,[2] flow through the Vale, eventually joining the Ouse and emptying into the Humber. The Vale is mostly farmland (73%), with small amounts of woodland (3%) and urban areas (6%).[22]
Researching family history in West YorkshireResearching family history in West Yorkshire
The West Yorkshire Archive Service exists to preserve the past, serve the present and protect the future. They do this by collecting and looking after the unique documentary heritage of the region. The Archive Service has an online catalog with over 970,00 entries.[23] The Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society was founded in 1863 and has an extensive list of local and regional family history links. Leeds Libraries maintains a local and family history library.
Ethnicities in West YorkshireEthnicities in West Yorkshire
The demographic distribution of the West Yorkshire population is as follows:[2]
According to the latest 2021 census, the population in West Yorkshire is predominantly white (76.6%), with non-white minorities representing the remaining 23.4% of the population. Asian people were the largest minority group in West Yorkshire accounting for 15.9% of the population. 72,257 or 3% of the West Yorkshire population are black according to the latest 2021 census. In England more broadly the portion of the population that is white is 81%. 10% are Asian and 4% are Black.
Population by race in West Yorkshire, 2021 census
- White - 1,801,352 people or 76.6%
- Asian - 372,728 people or 15.9%
- Black - 72,257 people or 3.1%
- Mixed - 64,947 people or 2.8%
- Other - 40,295 people or 1.7%
Surnames in West YorkshireSurnames in West Yorkshire
Explore more about English CountiesExplore more about English Counties
MyHeritage has 425 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.
See alsoSee also
- Administrative structure of England
- English genealogy
- English immigration
- English emigration
- English archives
- England historical records
- Vital records in England
- Birth records in England
- Death records in England
- Marriage records in England
- Census records in England
- Civil registrations in England
- Church records in England
- Newspaper records in England
- English military records
References
- ↑ West Yorkshire | History, Geography, Major Cities, & Map | Britannica
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 West Yorkshire Demographics | Age, Ethnicity, Religion, Wellbeing
- ↑ The Pennine Dales
- ↑ Our Evolving Countryside
- ↑ West Yorkshire - Geography and history
- ↑ Invest West Yorkshire
- ↑ Total income from farming for the regions of England
- ↑ Aggregate agricultural accounts
- ↑ Agricultural facts: Yorkshire and the Humber region
- ↑ Wakefield Cathedral | Things to do in Wakefield
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Yorkshire | History, Population, Map, & Facts | Britannica
- ↑ Roman Yorkshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Roman Yorkshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Ancient Peoples in Yorkshire
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 A History of Yorkshire
- ↑ Yorkshire history 17-19th Century | Article for travellers - Odyssey Traveller
- ↑ Yorkshire's industrial development | The Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society
- ↑ The Industrial Archaeology of West
- ↑ The Industrial Revolution in Yorkshire – Wilcuma
- ↑ Bradford and District Mills – a continuous contribution to cultural growth and diversity
- ↑ Genuki: Yorkshire, Yorkshire
- ↑ The Vale of York [1]
- ↑ West Yorkshire Heritage | West Yorkshire Archive Service