Aston Past and Present This inner-city ward, in the Ladywood Constituency, lies between the City Centre (to its south) and Spaghetti Junction (to its north). The area has an interesting and historic past. It can be traced back as far as the Domesday Book of 1086 in which it is recorded as Estone. Aston was formerly part of Warwickshire and only became integrated into Birmingham in 1911. Of particular historical importance to the area is Aston Hall, built by Sir Thomas Holte between 1618 and 1635. The Hall was one of the last great Jacobean houses to be built in Britain, and was one of the largest and most impressive in Warwickshire. Other buildings important to Aston's history include theAston Hippodrome (demolished in 1980), and the Barton's Arms public House.

2001 Census of Population: Key Statistics According to the 2001 Population Census there were 26,972 people resident in Aston. The area is 6.4 square KM in size, with a population density of 4,185 people per square KM , this compares with 3,649 people per square KM for Birmingham. 30.5% of people were aged under 16, 55.7% were aged between 16 and 59, while 13.8% were aged over 60. The average age was 30.4, compared with 36 years for Birmingham. The minority ethnic population made up 70.6% (19,030) of the ward’s population, compared with 29.6% for Birmingham. 33% of households were owner occupied and 53.5% were rented from either the local authority, housing association or other registered social landlord. The remaining 13.5% of households rented privately or lived rent free. The Census found that 8,628 (48.9%) of the population aged 16 to 74 were working or seeking work, this compared with 60.4% for Birmingham. There is further Census information available about Birmingham wards and other areas on our Key Statistics Pages and also on the National Statistics Neighbourhood Website. For the latest employment and unemployment information please visit the Birmingham Economy web pages. Source: Census 2001, © Crown Copyright.

Trade and Industry A number of well known business names which are/were based in Aston include: the HP sauce factory with its viaduct across the expressway, the Aston Manor Brewery (the last of the breweries in Aston), Norton Motorcycle Works, and Hudsons & Co., who made whistles for the crew of the Titanic. The nearby Aston Science Park provides 50,000 square feet of business and industrial accommodation.

Learning in Aston With Aston University, Aston Business School, and the nearby Birmingham City University, Aston is noted for its high proportion of students. Out and About in Aston Aston has a great number of places of interest, including Jacobean Aston Hall, and Villa Park, home of Aston Villa football Club. Also in the area are Aston Manor Transport Museum and The Drum arts complex. Famous People A number of famous people have been born or resided in Aston. Literary connections include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, who lived at No. 69 Aston Road North from 1878 to 1881, and Washington Irving, who visited and subsequently wrote about Aston Hall. Amongst those born in Aston are pop star Ozzy Osbourne, born in Lodge Road in 1948, and composer Albert William Ketelbey, born in 1875 at 41 Alma Street, Aston Manor.