Devon Administrative County (pre-1974)

Created: 1889   Abolished: 1974

Statistics

Population

Population

Densities and rates of growth. Age structure: concentrations of young people, and of the old.
Industry

Industry

How people made their living: identifying farming communities, pit villages, mill towns and so on.
Social Structure

Social Structure

Social class and socio-economic groups. Concentrations of professionals, and of unskilled labourers.
Learning & Language

Learning & Language

How many people were at school. The distribution of graduates, and of the unqualified.
Agriculture & Land Use

Agriculture & Land Use

How we use the land; crops and farm animals.
Life & Death

Life & Death

Numbers of babies born. Deaths, especially infant deaths. Causes of death by age and gender.
Work & Poverty

Work & Poverty

Unemployment rates and poor relief. What proportions of men and of women did paid work?
Housing

Housing

Numbers of houses. Overcrowding: persons per room. Amenities: central heating, baths and WCs.
Birthplace & Religion

Birthplace & Religion

Numbers going to church, and the kinds of churches they went to. The different religions of modern Britain.
Place marker map of Great Britain and Ireland

The following alternate names exist for this unit:

Name Status Language Start End Authority
DEVON Preferred English     F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 582.
DEVONSHIRE Alternate English     F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 582.

This unit contained the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
AXMINSTER RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
BARNSTAPLE RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
BIDEFORD RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
CREDITON RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
DEVONPORT RegD/PLPar/Inc Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
EAST STONEHOUSE RegD/PLU/Inc Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
EXETER RegD/Inc Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
HOLSWORTHY RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
HONITON RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
KINGSBRIDGE RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
NEWTON ABBOT RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
OKEHAMPTON RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
PLYMOUTH RegD/Inc Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
PLYMPTON ST MARY RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
SOUTH MOLTON RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
ST THOMAS RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
TAVISTOCK RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
TIVERTON PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
TORRINGTON RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
TOTNES RegD/PLU Poor Law Union/Reg. District     Ministry of Health, Persons in Receipt of Poor-Law Relief (England and Wales) (H.M.S.O.)
ASHBURTON UD Local Government District 1898 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
AXMINSTER UD Local Government District 1915 1953 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
AXMINSTER RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
BAMPTON UD Local Government District 1894 1935 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
BARNSTAPLE MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 584.
BARNSTAPLE RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
BIDEFORD MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 584.
BIDEFORD RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
BRIXHAM UD Local Government District 1895 01 Apr 1968 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
BROADWOODWIDGER RD Local Government District 1894 1966 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
BUCKFASTLEIGH UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
BUDLEIGH SALTERTON UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
COCKINGTON UD Local Government District 1894 1900 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
COMPTON GIFFORD UD Local Government District 1894 1896 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
CREDITON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
CREDITON UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
CULMSTOCK RD Local Government District 1894 1935 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
DARTMOUTH MB Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 584.
DAWLISH UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
DEVONPORT CB/MB Local Government District 1837 1914 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 584.
EAST STONEHOUSE UD Local Government District 1894 1914 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
EXETER CB/MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 584.
EXMOUTH UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
GREAT TORRINGTON MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
HEAVITREE UD Local Government District 1896 1913 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
HOLSWORTHY UD Local Government District 1900 1964 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
HOLSWORTHY RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
HONITON MB Local Government District 1846 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
HONITON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
ILFRACOMBE UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
IVYBRIDGE UD Local Government District 1894 1935 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
KINGSBRIDGE UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
KINGSBRIDGE RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
LOWER BRIXHAM UD Local Government District 1894 1895 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
LYNTON UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
NEWTON ABBOT UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
NEWTON ABBOT RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
NORTHAM UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
OKEHAMPTON MB Local Government District 1885 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
OKEHAMPTON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
OTTERY ST MARY UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
PAIGNTON UD Local Government District 1894 01 Apr 1968 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
PLYMOUTH CB/MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
PLYMPTON ST MARY RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
SALCOMBE UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
SEATON UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
SIDMOUTH UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
SOUTH MOLTON MB Local Government District 1835 1967 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
SOUTH MOLTON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 589.
ST MARY CHURCH UD Local Government District 1894 1900 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
ST THOMAS RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE UD Local Government District 1894 1900 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
TAVISTOCK RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
TAVISTOCK UD Local Government District 1898 1966 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
TEIGNMOUTH UD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
TIVERTON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
TIVERTON MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
TORBAY CB Local Government District 1967 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
TORQUAY MB Local Government District 1892 01 Apr 1968 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
TORRINGTON RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
TOTNES MB Local Government District 1835 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 585.
TOTNES RD Local Government District 1894 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 590.
EXETER Undef_SD Sanitary District     1891 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Area and Population in Rural Sanitary Districts'.
PLYMOUTH Undef_SD Sanitary District     1891 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Area and Population in Rural Sanitary Districts'.
BARNSTAPLE Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
BIDEFORD Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
CULLOMPTON Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
EXETER Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
EXMOUTH Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
ILFRACOMBE Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
NEWTON ABBOT Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
PLYMOUTH Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
TAVISTOCK Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
TIVERTON Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
TORQUAY Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project
TOTNES Urban Labour Market     Great Britain Historical GIS Project

This unit was associated with the following other units:

Nature of association Other unit involved Type of unit Authority
was preceded by DEVON Ancient County F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
was preceded by DEVON Poor Law/Registration County F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 588.
was succeeded by DEVON Modern (post 1974) County Census of Population (2001 Key Statistics)

This unit was part of the following units:

Name Type Start End Authority
ENGLAND Dep Country 1889 1974 F. Youngs, Local Administrative Units: Southern England (London: Royal Historical Society, 1979), p. 582.

This unit was affected by the following changes:

Date Type of change Other unit involved Area transferred Authority
01 Apr 1966 was enlarged by gaining part of CORNWALL parts of Launceston, St. Germans, Stratton RDs Area: 33 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Cornwall and Devon (Broadwoodwidger) Order, 1965; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was enlarged by gaining part of CORNWALL parts of Launceston, St. Germans, Stratton RDs Area: 33 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Cornwall and Devon (Broadwoodwidger) Order, 1965; The Exeter Order, 1966; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was reduced to enlarge DORSET part of Axminster RD Area: 278 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was enlarged by gaining part of DORSET part of Bridport RD Area: 11 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Cornwall and Devon (Broadwoodwidger) Order, 1965; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was enlarged by gaining part of DORSET part of Bridport RD Area: 11 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Cornwall and Devon (Broadwoodwidger) Order, 1965; The Exeter Order, 1966; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was reduced to enlarge SOMERSET parts of Axminster, Honiton, South Molton, Tiverton RDs Area: 293 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was reduced to enlarge SOMERSET parts of Axminster, Honiton, South Molton, Tiverton RDs Area: 293 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Bristol Order, 1966; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was enlarged by gaining part of SOMERSET parts of Dulverton, Taunton RDs Area: 6 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Cornwall and Devon (Broadwoodwidger) Order, 1965; The South Western Counties Order, 1965
01 Apr 1966 was enlarged by gaining part of SOMERSET parts of Dulverton, Taunton RDs Area: 6 acres.   1971 Census of England and Wales, Table 4, 'Intercensal changes of Boundary (between 23rd April, 1961, and 25th April, 1971)', for 'AC, LAA, CP, NT'.; The Cornwall and Devon (Broadwoodwidger) Order, 1965; The Exeter Order, 1966; The South Western Counties Order, 1965

Boundary Map of Devon Administrative County (pre-1974)

If the boundaries of the Administrative County changed over time, this map will show all the different boundaries.

Maps Census reports

How to reference this page:

GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, Devon Administrative County (pre-1974) through time, A Vision of Britain through Time.

URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10152896

Date accessed: 09th February 2026