The economic development of Westmorland has been slow and unimportant, the rugged nature of the ground being unfavourable to agricultural prosperity, while the lack of fuel hindered the growth of manufactures. Sheep-farming was carried on in the moorland districts, however, and the Premonstratensian house at Shap exported wool to Florentine and Flemish markets in the 13th and 14th centuries. Kendal was a centre of the clothing industry in the 14th century. In 1589 the county suffered severely from the plague.
The county may be considered to lie within an area having 4o to 6o in. mean annual fall. The summer temperature is mild. The helm-wind (q.v.) is char acteristic of this district. Less than one-half of the total area is under cultivation, and of this 61% is in permanent pasture, both cattle and sheep being largely kept. The fell land furnishes nourishment for the hardier breeds of sheep. The sale of these, stock cattle, horses and pigs, and dairy produce is the staple of the farmers' income. A large part of Westmorland was formerly in the hands of "statesmen" (see CUMBERLAND) whose holdings were usually small. The proportion of landowners of this class has greatly decreased.
Woollen manufac ture, chiefly confined to Kendal, is the chief industry. Bobbin making, paper making, the manufacture of explosives and several small industries are carried on, and use the water-power and hydro electric power available at points. Granite, roofing slate, marble,
graphite and a little coal, iron, lead and barytes are obtained.
The main lines of the L.M.S.R. traverse the county, ascending heavy gradients, of which the most severe crosses Shap Fells. The railways connect, east and west, by means of branches.
The population in 1901 was 64,303 ; in 1931, 65,398. It is the only county in England which has a density of population of less than ioo per sq.m. The general character of the dialects of Westmorland is that of a basis of Anglian speech, influenced to a certain extent by the speech current amongst the pre-Anglian peoples of Strathclyde. The people show a well-marked Scandinavian influence. Three distinct dialects can be made out.
The municipal boroughs are Appleby, which is also the county town (pop. 1,618) and Kendal (15,575). The urban districts are Ambleside
; Grasmere (988) ; Kirkby Lonsdale (1,370) ; Shap (1,227) and Windermere (5,701). The county is in the northern circuit, and the assizes are held at Appleby. It has one court of quarter sessions and is divided into six petty sessional divisions. Kendal has a separate commission of the peace. West morland is in the diocese of Carlisle. The county returns one member to parliament.