IV.

Population and Administration

The population of the Isle of Wight was estimated in 2001 to be 132,719. The principal town is Newport (1991, 20,574), situated in the centre of the island. The other major towns, and principal holiday resorts—Ryde (1991, 20,502), Cowes (1991, 16,335), and Sandown and Shanklin (16,852)—are on the coast, as are the island's smaller towns, such as Ventnor (1991, 5,710), Bembridge (1991, 3,397), Yarmouth, St Helen's, Freshwater, and Totland Bay, which are all also resorts.

The unitary authority of the Isle of Wight is administered from County Hall, Newport. Until 1995 the island was divided into two district councils: Medina and South Wight. However, in April of that year, the Isle of Wight became the first of the English counties, under the Local Government Act 1994, to gain a unitary local government authority. The police authority is the Hampshire Constabulary, with headquarters in Winchester, Hampshire. A Crown Court sits in Newport.