The glorious Fourth: Fireworks, parades and the money spent

Thanks to the U.S. Census Bureau state Office of Financial Management and the National Retail Federation, here’s a look at the Fourth of July 2016 — by the numbers.

2.5 million: Estimated population of our newly independent nation in July, 1776.

Nearly 7.2 million: Population of Washington state in 2016.

322.7 million: Estimated U.S. population at the start of 2016.

$311.7 million: Value of fireworks imported from China in 2015.

$12.7 million: Value of fireworks exported in 2015, with Singapore the largest customer.

$368.6 million: Retail fireworks sales in the U.S. in 2012.

$4.4 million: Value of imports of U.S. flags in 2015, primarily from China ($4.3 million).

$3.1 million: Value of U.S. flags exported in 2015, primarily to Mexico ($2.4 million).

$114.1 billion: Value of trade between U.S. and the United Kingdom in 2015.

214 million: Americans intend to celebrate this weekend’s holiday.

$6.8 billion: The amount they are expected to spend on the celebration.

$71.34: Average to be spent on food at barbecues and picnics.

43 percent: Of Americans will watch a fireworks show.

12 percent: Will attend a parade.

31 million: Americans will leave town for the holiday.

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 12:49 PM with the headline "The glorious Fourth: Fireworks, parades and the money spent."