19 Fourth of July Facts: Is Your Hot Dog From Iowa?

The U.S. Census Bureau offers a roundup of everything you ever wanted to know — and more — about Independence Day 2012.

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country. The City of Town and Country already held its annual Fire and Ice event. Manchester will hold a festival with music and concessions at Shroeder Park Wednesday, but no fireworks due to dry conditions and guidance from the fire marshal. Here are some more interesting numbers regarding the Fourth of July: 2.5 million: In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial…

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Married Minority? Census Shows Slowdown in Couples Tying the Knot

What does St. Louis say? The data reveals that married couples make up barely half of all American households.

The segment of the married U.S. population is about 51 percent, a decline of about six percent since the last census in 2000. In Missouri, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates about 54 percent of men and 50 percent of women are married. A societal snapshot As the Washington Post points out, the data reflects current conditions; meaning people who are unmarried today may not remain single over time. "(The data) are a byproduct of a steady increase in the median age when people first marry, now at an all-time high of older than 26 for women and almost 29 for men," says the Washington Post. According to an expert cited in The Huffington Post, the reason is twofold: "The fast-growing older population is more likely to be divorced or widowed later …

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Newly Released Town and Country, Manchester Census Data

Newly released 2010 U.S. Census data has been released. "Town and Country - Manchester Patch" offers a comparison to 2000 information.

The latest release is part of an ongoing series of information dumps from the U.S. Census Bureau as it compiles information from the 2010 census conducted last spring. (Read Previous Story: Local Reaction and Doubt as 2010 Census Numbers Are Released) The earlier release of Missouri data gave basic information about the population of the state and communities within Missouri, broken down by general categories of race and ethnicity. The information also had some basic information about housing capacity and occupancy rates in the state. Among other things, this week's release, provides further breakdowns in several of those areas, including a more detailed accounting of age groups in the state and its local communities, giving more details …

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Redistricting Hearings Scheduled for Friday in St. Louis

Two public hearings on the congressional redistricting process will be held in the St. Louis area Friday.

State Rep. John Diehl, R- Town and Country, will be among state and local leaders gathering in St. Louis Friday for two of several statewide hearings regarding the congressional redistricting process.  Diehl serves as chair of the House Special Standing Committee on Redistricting. He said the detailed census data released by the U.S. Census Burea last week, will be used to re-draw the congressional district lines to allow for eight representatives instead of nine due to the changes in Missouri's population. (Read Previous Story: Local Reaction and Doubt as 2010 Census Numbers Are Released) State Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville, chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, will also be in attendance Friday. “These public hearings…

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Local Reaction and Doubt as 2010 Census Numbers Are Released

Town and Country and Manchester leaders react Thursday to 2010 census numbers and Manchester's Mayor says he's not sure they're correct.

UPDATED: Friday 4:15 p.m. As mentioned in the below article, Manchester Mayor David Willson contact Patch Friday to clarify if the census numbers were calculated correctly. Willson tells Patch Friday afternoon that he learned that they were calculated correctly and that the area in the 63088 zip code along Big Bend Road was counted as part of Manchester. Willson said given that information, he attributes the decline in population to families growing up and children moving out of parents' homes. READ ORIGINAL STORY: The U.S. Census Bureau released the first look at Missouri’s detailed census counts Thursday. As of April 1, 2010, Missouri’s population has grown by seven percent to  5,988,927, with a growth of 393,716 people since 2000, …

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Census Results Likely to Have Little Local Impact

The results of the 2010 U.S. Census were announced Tuesday and though Missouri's slow growth lost it a representative, it is unlikely to have a dramatic effect on the local level.

The U.S. Census Bureau released the first of the results for the 2010 census Tuesday, revealing that Missouri will lose one of its nine seats in the House of Representatives. The local numbers will not be released until February or March. Missouri's population grew by seven percent between April 2000 and 2010, which ranked it 29th in growth, compared to the other 50 states. This rank is used to determine how many representatives each state gets in the House of Representatives for the next ten years—a process called apportionment. Missouri was one of ten states that lost at least one seat as a result of this year's census. U.S Rep Todd (R-MO), who represents the second district of Missouri issued a statement expressing his disappointment …

Your Weekly Patch Preview

Take a look at just some of what you'll find on Town and Country - Manchester Patch this week.

Coming up this week on your Town and Country - Manchester Patch site:   West County EMS and Fire Protection District to Charge for Service- A new policy is expected to be voted on that will allow West County EMS and Fire Protection District to bill a patient's insurance provider for ambulance use. The issue was discussed at the fire board meeting two weeks ago, but no vote was taken. It is back on the agenda for the 5 p.m. Monday meeting at the West County EMS and Fire Protection District at Firehouse One. Town and Country Budget- After postponing last Monday's expected vote, the Town and Country Board of Aldermen is expected to vote Monday on the 2011 FY budget, a pay raise for city employees and health care plans for city employees. …

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