The parish of Abbey Cwmhir was once part of Llanbister parish but by Victorian times had become a parish in its own right.
Like many of its neighbours it was a fairly remote rural community dependent on farming. Most of the inhabitants were farmers or farm workers and their families.

Compare this graph with those of other rural parishes in the area like Nantmel or St. Harmon.
Is the overall trend the same?
Why do you think the population declined towards the end of Queen Victoria's reign?
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