Bredfeldt and others in his department agreed to wait for the release of additional census figures so the city can figure out how the census bureau came up with its numbers. I know a lot of it was commercial, but some of it has to be residential. Census figures determine the city's share of the state sales tax and motor fuel tax. Revenues from those taxes are distributed to Largo's general fund and provide money for street improvements. Basically, the more people Largo has, the more money Largo gets.
City officials theorize census counters missed some residents in Largo's numerous mobile home parks.
Since many park residents live elsewhere during the summer, some may have listed their address in another state. About one-third of Largo's residents live in mobile home parks, city officials say. U.S. Census officials did not return a telephone call for comment. The census says that 69,371 people lives in Largo, a 5.6-percent increase from 1990. Census figures show Largo's greatest population spurt took place in the southeast corner of the city, where several subdivisions sprouted during the past decade.