in the 19th century, castleford became a boomtown with the population growing from 1,000 to 14,000 as collieries opened around the town; however, these collieries closed in the 20th century. ferrybridge power station and kellingley colliery have also closed (in 2015 and 2016 respectively) and used to employ castleford residents. the newer warehouses and distribution centres in glasshoughton have brought in many new jobs to the area.