III.

Population and Administration

Over one third of the population of the area lives in Bristol (2001, 380,615), which acted as the main administrative centre of the county, and is the main focus of industrial and commercial activity in the area. Bristol is also an important sea port. The two other main towns are the spa town of Bath (1994 estimate, 84,100) and Weston-super-Mare (1991, 69,372).

From 1974 to April 1996 Avon was administered by a county council based in Bristol and six district councils: Bath (City), Bristol (City), Kingswood, Northavon, Wansdyke, and Woodspring. Of the four unitary authorities that replaced these seven councils on April 1, 1996, Bristol has its headquarters in the city of Bristol. Bath is the headquarters of Bath and North-East Somerset, Weston-super-Mare the headquarters of North Somerset, and Thornbury is the headquarters of South Gloucestershire. Councils for the new authorities were elected in May 1995 to shadow the work of the existing county and district councils and prepare for the changeover.