Appendix A – When Cotton Was King
| Year | Population |
| 1826 (est.) | 2,500 |
| 1828 | 3,532 |
| 1830 | 6,477 |
| 1837 | 18,010 |
| 1840 | 20,981 |
| 1850 | 33,383 |
| 1860 | 36,827 |
| 1870 | 40,928 |
| 1880 | 59,485 |
| 1890 | 77,696 |
| 1900 | 94,969 |
| 1910 | 106,294 |
| 1920 | 112,759 |
| 1930 | 100,234 |
| 1940 | 101,389 |
| 1950 | 97,249 |
| 1960 | 92,107 |
| 1970 | 94,239 |
| 1975 | 91,177 |
| 1980 | 92,418 |
| 1990 | 103,439 |
| 2000 | 105,167 |
| 2010 | 106,519 |