III.

Population and Administration

The population of Greater Manchester is estimated at 2,482,352 (2001). The main towns are all industrial centres, including Bolton (population, 2000 estimate, 267,600), Bury (2001, 180,608), Manchester (2001 estimate, 392,900), Oldham (2000 estimate, 218,100), Rochdale (2000 estimate, 210,800), Salford (2000 estimate, 224,300), Stockport (2000 estimate, 291,100), and Wigan (2000 estimate, 312,000). Other towns of note include Ashton-under-Lyne (1991, 43,906), Cheadle (1991, 10,833), Gatley, and Stalybridge (1991, 22,921). Manchester and Salford both have city status. There are large populations of South Asians in Greater Manchester, particularly in Manchester, Bolton, and Oldham.

Until 1986 there was a metropolitan county council, based in Manchester. In 1986, ten single-tier metropolitan district councils—Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan—were created. These took on most of the responsibilities of the former county council.