By AP/KWMU
Mascoutah, Ill. – The Metro-East town of Mascoutah is holding a special census to verify what officials say has been a surge in population.
U.S. Census figures say the city gained only 148 residents from 1990 to 2000. But Mayor Jerry Daugherty says a construction boom and new businesses have increased the city's population by at least one-thousand since 2000, to 7,500 people.
Officials say commissioning the special census is worth the $61,000 price tag because the amount of state and federal tax money the city receives is determined by its population.
Results are expected in three to six months.