V.

Population and Administration

The population of the county is 673,777 (2001). The principal cities and towns are Chester (2001, 118,207), Warrington (2001, 181,080), Macclesfield (2001, 150,144), Crewe (1991, 63,351), Congleton (1991, 24,897), and Ellesmere Port (1991, 64,504). Other towns and cities of note are Knutsford (1991, 13,352), Middlewich (10,100), Nantwich (11,695), Northwich (34,520), Runcorn (64,154), Widnes (57,162), Wilmslow (28,604), and Winsford (26,839). Black-and-white timber-framed houses are typical of the architecture of the county, and are to be widely seen. Some excellent examples are preserved in Nantwich and Chester.

Cheshire is administered by a county council, based at County Hall in Chester, and by eight district and borough councils: Chester, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Halton, Macclesfield, Vale Royal, and Warrington. The boroughs of Halton and Warrington became unitary authorities on April 1, 1998, following government acceptance of the 1994 recommendations of the Local Government Commission. The police authority is the Cheshire Constabulary, with its headquarters in Chester. The Crown Court sits in Chester.