1. Any such city may at any time, by ordinance and at the expense of the city, cause an enumeration of its inhabitants to be made, and its population ascertained, and such census, when so taken, shall have like force and effect as a state or national census to authorize such city to proceed in securing such other incorporation as its population may entitle it to under the laws and constitution of this state, and for any other purpose that the laws may require, or have any other act or thing to be done making the population a basis thereof; and should the board of aldermen, councilmen or trustees fail or refuse to pass an ordinance for the taking of the census, when requested in writing to do so, then a petition may be presented to the board of aldermen, councilmen or trustees, signed by not less than twenty-five resident citizens of such city or town, asking the board to pass an ordinance providing for the taking of the census of such city, and the board shall then pass an ordinance providing for the taking of the census; and should the board of aldermen, councilmen or trustees fail or refuse to pass an ordinance providing for the taking of the census within thirty days from the date of filing said petition with the city clerk, then the mayor shall, by proclamation, order the city marshal to take the census of such city, and when taken by the city marshal, under the proclamation of the mayor, it shall have the same force and effect in law as if taken under an ordinance passed by the board of aldermen, city council or board of trustees.

2. Any person taking such census shall make return thereof, under oath, and file the same with the city clerk, and after said census is returned in either of the above modes, all courts of this state shall take judicial notice of the population of such city or town; provided, however, that the census shall not be taken in any city or town oftener than once every two years, unless the board of aldermen, councilmen or board of trustees shall be of the opinion that the public good demands and requires a new census, when they may provide for it.

3. Any person failing or refusing to comply with this section, or any person who shall make a false return, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by fine not less than ten dollars or more than one hundred dollars, and may be ousted from office.

4. This section shall apply to cities of the fourth class, and towns and villages, and cities and towns under special charters.