of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, a smaller diocese covering much of West Suffolk. Ousden's first census was in 1801 where the population was recorded as 274. A population time-series graph shows that Ousden's population peaked in 1851 and has since been declining. The parish itself has not changed in area, but it has changed districts in which the census would have taken place. In 1888, it was a part of the Newmarket Union, but by 1922 it was part of the Moulton District, and then changed again in 1831 to the Clare District. These changes in district may account for slight dips in the population due to more rural houses affecting the population count as districts change. The occupational history of Ousden lies in the agricultural industry. In 1831, 58% of the male population were agricultural labourers, and the percentage of males working in agriculture was 66%. By the end of the 19th century the percentage of men working in agriculture was still 64%. Most of the female population in the village had no occupation; the majority of those that did were in domestic services or offices. Since the 1970s Ousden has been informally twinned with Notus, Idaho. References External links Parish Council website St Peter's church Villages in Suffolk Civil parishes in Suffolk Borough of St Edmundsbury