| Year | Population |
| 1844 | First families arrive |
| 1845-6 | 16 |
| 1856 | 253 |
| 1858 | 400 |
| 1860 | 1800 |
| 1868 | 2334 |
| 1868 | Incorporated |
| 1869 | 3662 |
| 1870 | 4337 |
| 1875 | 5508 |
| 1880 | 5630 |
| 1885 | 6479 |
| 1890 | 6679 |
| 1895 | 8490 |
| 1900 | 12,580 |
| 1905 | 18,070 |
| 1910 | 26,693 |
| 1915 | 33,097 |
| 1920 | 36,230 |
| 1925 | 36,771 |
| 1930 | 46,191 |
| 1936 | 50,889 (estimate) |
| 1937 |
53,145 (estimate) |
| 1939 | 54,000 (City Directory estimate) |
| 1940 | 51,614 (1st census report) |
| 1950 | 65,198 (census report) |
| 1960 |
71,755 |
| 1966 |
73,931 (estimate) 74,023 (final census) |
| 1990 |
75,533 6,552 Blacks |
| 1980 | 75,985 |
| 1990 | 66,467 |