Salina ? New federal census figures show that Salina’s population increased in the last decade, but not enough to please city officials.

The census found that Salina’s population grew 4.4 percent, to 47,707, since 2000. But community leaders were hoping the population would reach 50,000. That figure is the threshourant chains won’t locate in smaller towns.

The Salina Journal reports that Sen. Pat Roberts has already scheduled a meeting between census officials and Salina representatives next week.

Salina City Manager Jason Gage says the appeal might be based on the counting of the city’s minority population or possible errors in the census list of housing units in the city.