Welcome to Cotton
CLICK FOR 2021 CENSUS DATAIntroduction
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor percentages of waxes, fats, pectins, and water. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds. The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa. Cotton was independently domesticated in the Old and New Worlds. The fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable, and durable textile. The use of cotton for fabric is known to date to prehistoric times; fragments of cotton fabric dated to the fifth millennium BC have been found in the Indus Valley civilization, as well as fabric remnants dated back to 4200 BC in Peru. Although cultivated since antiquity, it was the invention of the cotton gin that lowered the cost of production that led to its widespread use, and it is the most widely used natural fiber cloth in clothing today. Current estimates for world production are about 25 million tonnes or 110 million bales annually, accounting for 2.5% of the world's arable land. India is the world's largest producer of cotton. The United States has been the largest exporter for many years.
Parish Information
Parish statistics
Area |
813 hectares |
|---|---|
Population |
566 (2021) |
Density |
70 people/km2 |
Mean age |
46.8 |
Ward |
Bacton |
District |
Mid Suffolk |
Postcodes |
IP14 |
ONS ID |
E04009188 |
Council
Contact details for Cotton Parish Council, including current councillors, precept data and election results.
Education
View educational establishments in Cotton Parish. Data includes OFSTED rating and current appointed governors.
Business
Business directory listing local businesses operating within Cotton Parish.
Property
Price paid data for all property sold in Cotton Parish since 2018. Includes average prices for each property type.
Heritage
Local heritage sites, historic churches, heritage pubs plus local heritage initiatives for Cotton Parish.
Local News
Hosted and licensed by Stowmarket Mercury
Trowel and Hammer in Cotton to reopen after full restoration
Published: 24th Mar 2024
Hosted and licensed by East Anglian Daily Times
Stowmarket Marks and Spencer bid yet to arrive with planners
Published: 21st Nov 2023
Hosted and licensed by Suffolk News
M&S Foodhall plans take major step forward
Published: 30th Nov 2023