Jews began to settle in Pavlohrad shortly after the town's establishment in 1780. The first Jews to settle in Pavlohrad were traders, catering to military settlers. By 1803, the Jewish population numbered 167. In the mid-19th century, the community was operating a synagogue and a cheder, and according to the 1847 census, there were 979 Jewish residents. By 1863, the number of Jews had grown to 1,185 people. There were two synagogues, a state secondary school, and 14 private chadarim at this time. Businesses owned by Jews at this time included a candy factory, a cotton-printing factory, two printing houses, and a mill as well as several dozen other shops and stores. In 1892, a Jewish mayor was elected to lead the city and did so for 25 years. The 1897 census showed that the Jewish population of Pavlohrad had grown by more than three and a half times, and it numbered 4,382 people (27.7% of the town). This growth continued and by 1910 there were 11,647 Jewish residents. At that time there were five synagogues, a Talmud Torah and a kosher tavern. In 1913, Jews owned all three drug stores, four pharmacy goods warehouses, the only coffee house, five bakeries and pastry shops, one of the four hotels and more than 80 shops. This period marked the height of the Jewish community in Pavlohrad. The community greatly suffered from the pogroms in 1918 and 1919, with many Jews leaving Pavlohrad following the pogroms. By 1920 the population had halved and there were only 5,154 Jews living in the city. This fall continued and by 1939, there were only 2,510 Jewish residents remaining (7.4% of the town).