 The population grew to 33,638 by 1952, because of the cosmopolitan nature of the city, people from many Nigerian ethnic groups have settled there, alongside the many Okpe people, these also include the Itsekiris and ijaws, as well as the Urhobo people from surrounding towns and villages.Today, the town has one of Nigeria's major ports and also non-salty.Its industries include the processing of timber, rubber, and palm oil, as well as furniture, tamarind balm and footwear manufacturing.