These are the population level ranges for core buildings.
Code:
population_levels
-- city -- (always min 400)
village base 400, max 1500, upgrade 800
town base 800, max 3500, upgrade 2000 wooden_pallisade
large_town base 2000, max 9000, upgrade 6000 wooden_wall
city base 6000, max 18000, upgrade 12000 stone_wall
large_city base 12000, max 36000, upgrade 24000 large_stone_wall
huge_city base 24000, max 72000 huge_stone_wall
-- castle -- (always min 400)
village base 400, max 1500, upgrade 0 mott_and_bailey
town base 400, max 3500, upgrade 0 wooden_castle
large_town base 1500, max 9000, upgrade 4500 castle
city base 4500, max 13500, upgrade 9000 fortress
large_city base 9000, max 18000, upgrade 18000 citadel
A settlement's population can be anything from base to max but it's best to keep any given population level below the upgrade level for that size settlement.
eg non-castle settlement
Village <=799
Town <= 1999
Large town <=5999
City <= 11999
Large city <= 23999