III.

Population and Administration

Powys is the least-populated county of Wales, with a population of 126,344 (2001). Near the border with England, few people speak Welsh; further to the west, in the mountainous country bordering Ceredigion, it is the first language of the majority. According to the 2001 census, 30 per cent of the population claims to speak Welsh (see Celtic Languages). The small town of Llandrindod Wells (population, 1991, 4,362) is the administrative centre. It is also a spa town with magnesium, sulphur, and chalybeate springs, and sporting and leisure facilities. Other important towns are Brecon (in Welsh, Aberhonddu; 1991, 7,523), Builth Wells (1991, 2,474), Newtown (Drenewydd; 1991, 10,548), Welshpool (Trallwng; 1991, 5,725), and Ystradgynlais (1991, 8,218).

There is a Crown Court at Welshpool. The police authority is the Dyfed-Powys Police, which has its headquarters in Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire.