Demographics Since the 14th century Zons didn't change much regarding town area and population, probably due to its disadvantageous access to road traffic. During the course of the centuries the town was stricken three times by great fires: 1464, 1547 and 1620. Before the last great fire there were reports about a certain flourishing in economic terms due to trading. Yet the 17th century turned out to be a painful one for Zons. Economic and demographic decline ensue after that great fire, an (unsuccessful) siege and heavy bombardment at the end of the Thirty Years' War, several disastrous plagues and frequent occupations by Cologne and French troops. 1648 Zons had a population of 172, Stürzelberg of 49. After a gradual increase in population in the parish Zons 255 people died due to the plague in 1666. From about 1700 there was a noticeable increase in population: in 1692 the parish had a population of 308, in 1738 there were already 831 people who had received the First Communion and eventually in 1799 there was a population of 1,054. In the 18th century the population was almost entirely Catholic. During that time only a few Jewish families lived in Zons increasing in numbers to almost 50 people by 1806. During the course of 19th century up to the beginning of the 20th century the population grew relatively slowly yet almost steadily in comparison to the overall demographic development. In 1849 Zons together with Stürzelberg counted for 2,012 people, in 1928 1,306 people lived in Zons and 1,428 in Stürzelberg, thus 2,734 in total. On 30 June 1964 the at that time “town” Zons (comprising also the villages of Stürzelberg, St. Peter und Nachtigall) had a population of 6,310 which increased to 9,715 on 30 June 1974. Population Development in Quarter Zons: Government Mayors 1800–1812: Matthias Aldenhoven 1813–1828: Anton Baaden 1829–1837: Franz Michael Fischer 1837–1848: Peter Mathias Schumacher 1848–1851: Josef Schneider 1851–1858: Josef Hanstein 1858–1879: Eduard Bacciocco 1879–1900: Hermann Heckmann 1900–1909: Nikolaus Kohl 1909–1910: Josef Trapet 1910–1923: Albert Granderath 1923–1926: Stephan Güsgen 1926–1928: Emil Kirchhoff 1928–1945: Michael Flücken 1945–1946: Johann Scheer (until January 1946 only for municipality Zons) 1945–1946: Franz Bebber (for Stürzelberg) Honorary Mayors 1946: Gerhard Justenhoven 1946–1948: Wilhelm Fleischhauer 1948–1952: Bernhard Kamm 1952–1962: Hermann Schmitz 1962–1969: Georg Lerch 1969–1974: Hannelu Manitz, Deputy: Hans Wingerath Town Clerks and Chief Executives 1946–1961: Johann Scheer 1961–1973: Artur Elicker 1973–1974: Johann Schmitz, General Deputy: