Texas County is the “mean center” of the United States, according to new census data released last week.
A point about one-half mile southwest of Plato is listed as the center of population in United States. There are as many people east and west of the point in the country.
During the 2000 census, the location was east of Edgar Springs. Ten years before, it was identified as about 9.7 miles southeast of Steelville.
Missouri was first included in 1980 when the mean center was just west of DeSoto.
During the 20th century the mean center of population shifted 324 miles west and 101 miles south. The southerly movement was much stronger during the second half of the century: 79 miles of the 101 miles happened between 1950 and 2000.
Â
Â