Beersheva has experienced considerable instability in its population patterns. During the 1950s its population increased five fold; in the 1960s Beersheva doubled itself; in the 1970s its population increased by 28%; and in the 1980s it grew a meager 3.7%, reflecting the city's dire social situation.
During the 1980s, half of Beersheva's population - 60,000 persons - migrated elsewhere, primarily to the city's relatively posh suburbs (Meitar, Lehavim, Omer), the Tel Aviv area, or abroad. In place of this younger, established population, came 40,000 residents, mainly from the Negev's weaker development towns: Dimona, Ofakim, Yerucham and Netivot.
The present decade, however, indicates that Beersheva is experiencing rejuvenation. Its population has increased by some 30% and presently numbers 150,000 residents. The growth in population may be attributed to the arrival of 30,000 new immigrants. Additionally, the negative migration trend was reverted in 1992.
Bnei Shimon numbers 4,500 residents, Lehavim 2,550, and Rahat 23,000.