PLATO, Mo. (AP) - The southern Missouri village of Plato is celebrating its selection as the 2010 U.S. census population center.
The commemoration Monday follows a late March announcement by the federal agency. The mean population center represents the point at which a perfectly flat and rigid map of the United States would balance perfectly if all 308.7 million residents weigh the same and are counted where they live.
A bevy of federal, state and local dignitaries are expected at the 1 p.m. ceremony, including Census Bureau Director Robert Groves.
Village leaders will unveil a commerorative survey marker next to the local post office.