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How did Sydney’s population change between 1850 and 1890?
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Sydney
Harbour Bridge, Sydney.
Between 1850 and 1890, Sydney experienced a period of exceptionally rapid population growth, with its total population increasing from 60,000 to 400,000 residents.1
This expansion was characterized by the development of suburbs featuring tightly packed terrace houses, many of which remain part of the city's architectural heritage today. This era of growth also saw significant infrastructure advancements, such as the opening of the first railway line between Sydney and Parramatta in 1855. While the city's development faced a minor check due to the financial collapse of the 1890s, the population continued to rise significantly in the following decades.1