The population has 'swelled/swollen' in recent years.
a 'swollen' ankle/gland
a 'swollen' river
(..) we have ourselves a homicide. Killer put a bucket beneath him, kept on serving. Took his time too. Coroner said it could have lasted more than hours. Victim's throat was swollen, probably from the effort... and there was a point when he passed out. That's when the killer kicked him... (..)1995 Se7en