The U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday its shiny new population estimates for the nation’s cities. The numbers give a hint that the county’s smaller cities are shaking off the growth doldrums associated with the 2008 housing crash.

According to the release, Eudora’s population as of July 1, 2015, was 6,378. That compares with the population count of 6,136 in the official 2010 census. The 2016 estimate represents an increase of 82 residents from the year before and is the largest estimated increase of this decade.

Baldwin City’s population was estimated at 4,669 in the latest release. That is an estimated population growth of 88 residents and, that too, would be the city’s largest annual population increase since the 2010 census, which pegged Baldwin City’s population at 4,515.

Lecompton had an estimated population of 640 as of July 1, 2015. The city’s population in the 2010 census was 625. Lecompton is estimated to have added four residents in the 12 months ending July 1, 2015, the same amount as the year before. The increases of those two years topped the other years since 2010.

Eudora’s 2,466 households (another number harvested from the U.S. Census Bureau’s website) should receive in the next two or three weeks a survey in the mail with questions about the Eudora Parks and Recreation Department. Interim City Manager Barack Matite said the $16,000 survey’s goal was to get Eudora resident’s feedback on where city officials should spend revenue from the 0.75 cent sales tax for parks and recreation uses that city voters approved last year. The tax does not raise enough revenue to pay for all the items of the parks and recreation master plan, he said.

The five-page survey will quiz residents about what parks and recreation facilities they use, the frequency of use, impressions of their condition and the responder’s priorities. The survey will specifically seek resident information on upgrades for the city pool and the community center.

The survey, which ETC/Leisure Vision created, is part of a greater $28,000 park assessment Shafer, Kline & Warren Inc. is conducting for the city. Other components of the contract include pre- and post-survey focus groups with residents on parks and recreation needs and priorities and inspection and evaluation of facilities.

On Monday, Dave Hill, president of the Baldwin City Economic Development Corp., approached the Baldwin City Council with a funding request of $15,000 for EDC efforts.

Hill said Thursday the money would augment the $15,000 the EDC spends annually on efforts to help local businesses expand, attract new business, promote new housing starts — including affordable housing — and work toward a new business park.

He said it would allow the EDC to contract former Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce executive director Hank Booth to work on economic development efforts.

“We want to work with him,” Hill said. “We think he is a good asset.”

Booth was also on hand Monday to address the City Council about the request. The City Council took no action on the request. Brad Smith, city financial director, told council members an appropriate time to consider the request would be during next month’s 2017 budget considerations.

The annual CPA Picnic dominates the weekend in Eudora. The children’s parade starts things off at 7 p.m. Friday, and the community parade signals the event’s start at 7 p.m. Saturday. Activities starting at 7 p.m. both nights in CPA Park include the Weee Carnival, Holy Family Catholic Church Food Booth, the CPA Picnic Committee drink booth and live music.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s annual Summer Spray 5K in Baldwin City will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday at the Baldwin City Municipal Golf Course Club House. Registration is $10 for those 12 years of age and younger and $30 for adults.

The Baldwin City Community Fund will have a bingo fundraiser at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Baldwin Elementary School Intermediate Center, 100 Bullpup Drive.