Welcome to Edgar Springs, a small yet significant community in Phelps County, Missouri. As we stand here, just a few miles east of the towns main road, we find ourselves standing at the U.S. Center of Population: 2000 (CENSUS 2000 / AJ3110). This historical landmark was established after the census results in 2000 determined that this point marked the approximate center of the United States population.

To give you a visual, think about an imaginary line running through the middle of the country, dividing it into two halves. The U.S. Center of Population is the point on that line where the total population living in one half would be equal to the population living in the other half. Its a fascinating concept, isnt it?

Edgar Springs itself is a charming community with a rich history, and the residents are proud to have been home to this significant geographical point. The 2000 Center of Population was marked by a plaque and flagpole, which you can still see today, as we look around at the surrounding landscape that was once deemed the heart of Americas population.

Ten years later, in 2010, another center of population was established about 23 miles southwest of our current location. However, this special place will always hold a significant place in history as the U.S. Center of Population for that decade. To commemorate its significance, an official green highway sign reads Population Center of the United States 2000-2010 at the entrance to Edgar Springs.

As you take in this scenic spot, imagine the millions of people living across the country in cities, towns, and rural communities - all connected by a line running through this very point, making it the U.S. Center of Population: 2000 (CENSUS 2000 / AJ3110). This is your moment to appreciate the diverse population of the United States and the significance of the geographical center that once resided here in Edgar Springs, Missouri.