bigger Bigger BIGGER smaller Bigger

We're talking about Des Moines's population.  I'll bet the residents in 1850 did not forsee that Des Moines would be so HUGE.  In comparison anyway.  And look at the dark decades of the 60's and 70's when the population dropped. Did we spring a leak in the direction of the suburbs?  Then the population increased in the 80's and 90's when Des Moines was fairly well hemmed in on all sides.  Statistics.  Can't understand them, can't make 'em up.  Well if we do we should stop that.  Here are so many statistics you can just wallow in them:
Population of the City of Des Moines:
1850     502
1860     3,965
1870     12,035
1880      22,408
1890     50,093
1900     62,139
1910     86,368
1920     126,468
1930     142,559
1940     159,819
1950     177,965
1960     208,982
1970     201,404
1980     191,003
1990     193,189
2000     198,682

Source:  Iowa Data Center. Total Population for Iowa's Incorporated Places: 1850-2000