WF Albright, who was considered a primary archaeologist of his era, did some extensive research on populations at the time of Jesus. His estimate is around 300 for a village the size of Bethlehem holding 6 or 7 children under 1 year of age. One response to your question suggested Luke's record of this census is a lie. read more
No one really knows since it was more than 2,000 years ago. But it was a lot of people since so many people came to see the wonderful moment of Jesus being born. read more
According to Micah 5:2 and Jewish tradition, the Messiah (the Christ) would be born in Bethlehem, a small town near Jerusalem. Luke 2 informs us that Mary and Joseph traveled to the town for a census prior to Jesus's birth, thus fulfilling the prophecy. read more