Based on the population data you've provided, we can infer several key points regarding the impact of the Gold Rush on San Francisco:
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Rapid Population Growth: The increase in population from just 850 in April 1848 to 25,000 by December 1849 demonstrates the explosive growth of San Francisco as a direct consequence of the Gold Rush. This sudden influx of people reflects the city's transformation into a destination for those seeking fortune in the gold mines.
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Post-Gold Rush Stabilization: The population peaked in December 1849, and then seemed to stabilize somewhat in the early 1850s, as seen with 21,018 in 1850 and 36,151 in 1852. This might suggest that while many flocked to San Francisco during the initial Gold Rush excitement, some left after failing to find gold, leading to a slight decline.
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Continued Growth Post-Gold Rush: The significant jump to 56,800 in 1860 and then further to 149,473 in 1870 indicates that the city continued to grow robustly, even after the initial Gold Rush period. This suggests that San Francisco's economic and social landscape evolved beyond just gold mining, turning into a more diversified urban center.
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Sustained Economic Hub: The influx of migrants transformed San Francisco into an economic hub, suggesting that the Gold Rush may have created lasting infrastructural and economic changes that supported further growth.
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Conclusion: Overall, we can conclude that while the Gold Rush had an immediate, explosive effect on San Francisco's population, its long-term growth trajectory continued well beyond the initial rush. This suggests that the Gold Rush had a profound and lasting impact on the city, making it an enduring center of commerce and migration. Therefore, the statement "the mass migration of 49ers transformed San Francisco into an economic Hub practically overnight" best captures the essence of this transformation, as well as the idea that the Gold Rush initiated a longer trend of urban development and population growth.