III.

Population and Administration

The population of Wiltshire was estimated in 2001 at about 613,000; that of the administrative county (excluding Swindon) is estimated at 432,973 (2001). Swindon (1995 estimate, 173,769) is the largest town of the geographical county. Other major towns are Trowbridge, the county seat (1991, 29,334); Salisbury (2001, 114,614), the diocesan centre; Chippenham (1991, 25,961); and Devizes (1991, 13,205). Until April 1, 1997, Wiltshire was administered by a county council and five district councils: Kennet, North Wiltshire, Salisbury, Thamesdown, and West Wiltshire. The administrative changes implemented on that date, which saw Thamesdown district council transformed into Swindon Borough Council unitary authority, have left the two-tier system of county and district councils in the remainder of Wiltshire unchanged. The police authority is the Wiltshire Constabulary, which has its headquarters at Devizes. There are Crown Courts at Salisbury and Swindon.