Hi,
It might very well be that I don't quite understand what you're doing in the code but replacing all that OR logic with some math increases the performance in that particulat section of the code by a factor of 8 or so (won't help if it doesn't do what you want but by all means do try it):
Code:
'----------------------- Also creating a newled data array to be displayed on next generation -------------

FOR counter = 0 TO 1023

	population = 0 :topedge = 0 :botedge = 0 :lefedge = 0 :rigedge = 0

'Grid Edge Detection
	
  Temp = Counter // 32

  If Temp = 0 THEN
    lefedge = 1
  ENDIF

  IF Temp = 31 THEN
    rigedge = 1
  ENDIF    
	
'Grid Evaluation
There's likely some cycles to squeze here and there but try the above for starters.

/Henrik.