They take you decade by decade from 1851 to 2021, during which time the city’s population more than trebled from 161,475 to 556,500. Norfolk Market Hall, Goodwin Fountain at the top of Fargate, the Royal Hospital on West Street, and Sheaf Market are just some of the lost sights pictured.
This retro photo gallery reveals how the city’s population has changed decade by decade, starting in 1851, with a rapid rise during the steel industry’s boom days followed by a slight decline as the economy suffered a downturn.
Sheffield’s population is again on the rise, according to the latest Census figures, though it remains below its peak in 1951.
Our gallery only starts in 1851, but, according to Sheffield City Council’s data, the population stood at around 150-200 in 1086, 2,200 in 1379, and 3,000 in 1692.
It then started to rise more rapidly, to 5,000 in 1692, 9,695 in 1736, 20,000 in 1750, and 60,095 in 1801.
5. 1891 - 388,089
South Street Brewery, at the junction of Earl Street and Porter Street, Sheffield, in 1891, when the city's population was 388,089 | Picture Sheffield Photo: Picture Sheffield
6. 1901 - 451,195
The Barleycorn Inn, on Cambridge Street, Sheffield city centre, in 1901, when the city's population was 451,195 | Picture Sheffield Photo: Picture Sheffield
7. 1911 - 524,564
The Royal Hospital, on West Street, at the junction with Eldon Street, in 1911. Sheffield's population that year was 524,564 | Picture Sheffield/Morgan and Son Photo: Picture Sheffield/Morgan and Son
8. 1921 - 543,336
Tivoli Cinema, on Norfolk Street, Sheffield city centre, in around 1921. Sheffield's population back then was 543,366 | Picture Sheffield/Colin Kirkham Photo: Picture Sheffield/Colin Kirkham