Bishop.... It doesn't matter what race you are.... The sheer military size I have is more than a match for the offense of anyone in any kind of gains range.

Legions has it pinned - you're all thinking of the published bonuses of homes for population and birth rates. The huge BE boost that they give is really overlooked - having 52% homes gives me the BE to be able to comfortably split the remaing 48% across the necessary buildings with great effect.