 The table below details the population change since 1801 , including the percentage change since the last census 10 years earlier . Although Trafford was formed as a Metropolitan Borough in 1974 , figures have been generated by combining data from the towns , villages , and civil parishes that would later be constituent parts of Trafford . The greatest percentage change in the population occurred between 1851 and 1871 , and was a result of the construction of the Manchester , South Junction and Altrincham Railway in 1849 . The decrease by 7 @.@ 7 % in Trafford 's population since the 1971 census mirrors the trend for Greater Manchester , although on a smaller scale ; this has been accounted for by the decline of Greater Manchester 's industries , particularly those in Manchester and Salford but including those in Trafford , and residents leaving to seek new jobs . 
