Plato, Mo., sits at center of nation's population

The Associated Press and Kelsey Proud — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:21:15 +0000

View Mean Center of U.S. Population 2010 in a larger map

It's official: The new center of the U.S. population is in Missouri, about 2.7 miles northeast of the village of Plato (see above for location).

The Census Bureau said Thursday that steady migration to the Sun Belt had pushed the site roughly 30 miles southwest of the previous location near Edgar Springs, Mo.

It is the fourth Missouri town to hold the distinction. Plato, located in Texas County, had a 2010 population of 109 people.

2010 U.S. Census data released for Illinois

Kelsey Proud — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:37:01 +0000

Illinois - 2010 U.S. Census Population Data

The U.S. Census Bureau released Illinois population and demographic data today.

Why is this important? Among other reasons, the data can be used to re-draw federal, state and local legislative districts.