NUMBERS IN THE NEWS

23

Just under 23 percent of Coudersport residents 25 or older have college degrees. About 13 percent of the borough's adults did not graduate from high school. Some 8.7 percent hold a graduate or professional degree.

16

Membership in Boy Scouts of America has declined by 16 percent since 2000 and now stands at 2.9 million.

The organization is launching a $4 million marketing campaign based on its 100th anniversary observance in 2010.

177

The growing popularity of charter schools and homeschooling is having a financial impact on public school districts.

A state law adopted in 1997 permits the operation of charter schools within Pennsylvania. There now are 117 charter schools, including one in Tidioute, and plans to open a school in Mt. Jewett next year.

Eleven are "cyber" charter schools, where students take part in classes via the Internet.

735

It's a sign of the times: employment in the health care profession is rising while manufacturing jobs are leaving the country.

Last week, Bradford Regional Medical Center became the top employer in McKean County. With 735 jobs, BRMC edged past Zippo Manufacturing Co., which has 728 employees.

The hospital lists 570 fulltime employees, 70 part-time and 95 "casual employees" who are on-call and have the option to accept or decline work requests.

Zippo currently has 728 employees, down from 750 a year ago.

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital and Elk Regional Health Center are the leading employers in Potter and Elk counties, respectively.

3

Elk County has lost about three percent of its population since the 2000 census.

The county had a population of 34,064 as of 2005, down 2.98 percent from the 35,112 of 2000.

14

Fourteen percent of U.S. adults have at least one tattoo. The figure was 16 percent in 2003.

Tattoos are most popular in the West, where 20 percent are adorned, and least popular in the Midwest (10 percent).

300

About 300 school districts save money on construction materials and other supplies through their affiliation with the Pa. Education Joint Purchasing Council.

For 30 years, PAEJPC has helped districts save money. Affiliation fee is $250 per year.

The organization boosts its purchasing power through alliances with purchasing cooperatives in 21 other states.

Everything from roofing materials and vehicles to portable classrooms and food service equipment can be purchased at discount rates through PAEJPC.

4

Some four percent of Americans say they tithe - giving 10 percent of their income to a church.

The concept of tithing is not universally accepted among religious leaders. Some tithing supporters have been criticized for distorting Biblical references and exploiting those with the limited ability to pay.

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa has taken it a step further, calling for an investigation of six billionaire televangelists.

Since churches are tax-exempt, at least some of the targets are resisting Grassley's efforts to see financial records.

Of the $295 billion Americans donate to charity, about $97 billion goes to religious organizations.

1

The tomato ranks number one on the list of Americans' favorite fruits. Second is the banana, followed by apple, grape, orange, watermelon and date.

18

Fewer adults are smoking as each year passes.

Only 18 percent U.S. residents age 18 or older now smoke, compared with a figure of 26 percent a decade ago.