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 commemorative survey marker next to the local post office.

Click the link below to view an interactive map showing our migration west.

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/center-of-population.php

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