The construction of the dam and the military port has brought an important flow of workers and soldiers. Cherbourg and Octeville have seen their populations quadruple in a century. Cherbourg had 43,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 20th century. During this century, Cherbourg lost some 15,000 inhabitants, while Octeville grew continuously, with an explosion in the 1960s and 1970s, during the construction of the housing estates.
The construction of the dam and the military port has brought an important flow of workers and soldiers Cherbourg and Octeville have seen their populations quadruple in a century Cherbourg had 43,000 inhabitants ,at the beginning of the 20th century. During this century Cherbourg lost some 15,000 in.habitants, while O.cteville grew continuously, with an explosion in the 1960s and 1970s, during the construction of the housing estates.