Fourth of July Trivial Statistics

On days like today, where the nation at large has the shared experience of celebrating its birthday, I thought some families may find it fun to look at some of what the U.S. Census Bureau has to say about the Fourth of July.

If you share with the family, please share the disclaimer that Covenant Fellowship Church can neither confirm nor deny the truthfulness nor accuracy of these statistics. On items such as barbecues and population, we simply move forward with the U.S. Census Bureau’s numbers. Enjoy!

2.5 million

In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.

304 million

The nation’s population on this July Fourth.

More than 1 in 4

The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 17.6 million market hogs and pigs on March 1, 2008.

6.8 billion pounds

Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2007. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total production.

6 states

Number of states in which the revenue from broiler chickens was $1 billion or greater between December 2006 and November 2007. There is a good chance that one of these states — Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi or Texas — is the source of your barbecued chicken.

More than three-fourths

Amount of the nation’s head lettuce production in 2007 that came from California. This lettuce may end up in your salad or on your burger.

Georgia

The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (1 billion pounds). Other leading producers of this popular Fourth of July dessert included California, Florida and Texas, each with more than 400 million pounds.

$207 million

The value of fireworks imported from China in 2007, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($217 million).

$349.2 million

Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.

31 places

Number of places nationwide with “liberty” in their name. The most populous one as of July 1, 2006, is Liberty, Mo. (29,581). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.