D&D (2024) Sword Coast population data from 2024 D&D Pocket Expert

[Selas]

For the record Waterdeep is not the only city in FR with a population over 1 million, Golden Huzuz in Zakhara and Calimport does too if you include slaves.

Calimport includes both the slaves and the surrounding areas, but the population inside the walls is around 200k

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Calimport includes both the slaves and the surrounding areas, but the population inside the walls is around 200k

Are you confusing Calimshan with Calimport, the first one is the nation, the second is the capital city.

 

[pukunui]

I understand but still, according to the maps we had in 3e-4e-5e, Waterdeep is about 5-6 times larger in footprint. Even imagining Neverwinter at half capacity (which sounds about right given the numbers we have), with half the population density of Waterdeep due to lower/roomier buildings, we’re still far from the 2,000,000 population of Waterdeep. I guess if we’re counting the surrounding areas making for 3/4 of the population, we get about there, but that would mean dozens of « small towns » twice the size of Neverwinter without being listed…

I don’t buy it.

The Field Ward is a new part of the city in 5e and is a densely packed slum, more or less. Not sure how many could fit in there, but it will help jack the numbers up.

That said, I think if the 2 million number isn't a typo, then it must include all the farmland between Waterdeep, Amphail, and Goldenfields. Maybe even some of the farmland south of the Dessarin river on the road to Daggerford. The maps we see are generally too "zoomed out" to see all the little thorps and hamlets dotting the countryside.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Population of Luskan seems too low, given the area covered by the maps, and the scale of the architecture. Large villages / tiny towns do not have huge stone bridges spanning multiple islands. 20k would be a more reasonable figure.

I'd say that the census must have been taken when most of the ships were at sea, and didn't take into account the ones in the bay, for that matter. I suspect that the population positively swells in the stormy season.

 

[Laurefindel]

The Field Ward is a new part of the city in 5e and is a densely packed slum, more or less. Not sure how many could fit in there, but it will help jack the numbers up.

That said, I think if the 2 million number isn't a typo, then it must include all the farmland between Waterdeep, Amphail, and Goldenfields. Maybe even some of the farmland south of the Dessarin river on the road to Daggerford. The maps we see are generally too "zoomed out" to see all the little thorps and hamlets dotting the countryside.

Yes, 200,000 sounds way too low; less than half the population i remember from older editions, so it’s probably not a typo.

Still, the contrast between Waterdeep and the other cities surprises me.

 

[Yaarel]

During the 1600s, the population of Stockholm ballooned from 10k to 50k.

So Neverwinter at 23k feels Stockholm-esque.

Also, Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities I have been in. Clean, artistic, civil, with a seaport.

 

[Zardnaar]

During the 1600s, the population of Stockholm ballooned from 10k to 50k.

So Neverwinter at 23k feels Stockholm-esque.

Also, Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities I have been in. Clean, artistic, civil, with a seaport.

Sweden became a Great Power in that time frame. Empire and everything.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

The Field Ward is a new part of the city in 5e and is a densely packed slum, more or less. Not sure how many could fit in there, but it will help jack the numbers up.

That said, I think if the 2 million number isn't a typo, then it must include all the farmland between Waterdeep, Amphail, and Goldenfields. Maybe even some of the farmland south of the Dessarin river on the road to Daggerford. The maps we see are generally too "zoomed out" to see all the little thorps and hamlets dotting the countryside.

You know what would be a cool addition to waterdeep? An underwater district.

 

[Zardnaar]

Yes, 200,000 sounds way too low; less than half the population i remember from older editions, so it’s probably not a typo.

Still, the contrast between Waterdeep and the other cities surprises me.

I checked. If the 2 million is accurate it's population density is 10-20 times that of Manila IRL. I wouldn't be worried about feeding them more where they're going.

I'm not expecting a simulation or anything but that's gone from "vaguely plausible don't think about it to hard" to out right absurd.

 

[Yaarel]

You know what would be a cool addition to waterdeep? An underwater district.

Heh, I almost want to ask if dykes are preventing Waterdeep from becoming water deep.