Where can I find the the center of population of each state?

Factual Questions
1

I know there are many different definitions of “center of population”. But the Census Bureau uses two different definitions in finding the center of population of the whole U.S.: the “mean center of population” (which was in Missouri in 1990) and the “median center of population” (which was in Indiana in 1990). See this PDF file from the Census Bureau for definitions and locations of the national centers from 1790 to 1990.

I have been able to find a list from the USGS of [the geographic centers of the states](http://mac.usgs.gov/mac/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Geographic Centers) (based on one definition of “geographic center”). But I haven’t been able to find similar data for the centers of population for the states. Surely somebody must calculate this stuff. Mustn’t they?

2

Jeepers. :frowning: You win this month’s prize (a lifetime subscription to LOOK magazine) for “Most Well-Hidden and Completely Unfindable Google Fact”.

All I can figure is that the state of Illinois really doesn’t care where its “median center of population” is. There’s Chicago, and there’s Springfield–what else does anybody need to know?

Sorry. :frowning:

3

…and, of course, the reason that Google can’t find it is that, individual state names added to “mean population center” occur in every page that you might access. I know, I did that, as did everyone else, for hours.

One hopes that there is an answer, but, there might not be.

This should be inducted into the Google hall of fame.

4

Sounds like you’re looking to drop a bomb on Illinois… can’t help, I live in Chicago.