From what I've read, the Germans prior to the battle had pulled civilians out starting with children. It was noted that they simply dropped a bunch of kids off just east outside of the city. They later rushed in and began escorting out elderly and women— who were horrified to see the soldiers immediately fortifying their houses with concrete and such as they were escorted out.

That's not to say there weren't civilians left in the city. It's interesting to note that Hitler had ordered the evacuation of the city because he suspected the population preferred American occupation because allied bombing would cease. Generalleutenant Gerhard Graf von Schwerin had paused the evacuation and appealed to the allies to treat the populace "mercifully". Word got out to Hitler that he did this and ordered him arrested— but surprisingly forgave him later. As far as I know, the Germans resumed the evacuation of civilians and that it was enforced pretty "harshly".