Dec 21, 2010

It's official: The U.S. population is 308,745,538; Texas gets 4 new seats

10:44 AM

It's official: The U.S. population is 308,745,538, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

By Jacquelyn Martin, AP

That represents a 9.7% increase over the 2000 figure of 281,421,906.

Nevada had the biggest growth in population, jumping 35.1%, while Michigan dropped the most, losing 0.6%.

Following a multi-year trend in migration patterns, the South grew 14.3% and the West jumped 13.8%,while the Northeast increased only 3.2% and the Midwest 3.9%.

The count not only gives the nation a snapshot of its overall population, the state-by-state figures are used to determine how the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are apportioned.

Under the 2010 figures, eight states will gain representation, with Texas the biggest winner, picking up four seats.

Also gaining seats: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington. Florida picks up 2 seats, the rest geting one each.

Losing seats: Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania

Related links:

Watch the animation above that explains reapportionate or click here. Additional information on how congressional seats are apportioned is available here.

Click here for full-page coverage of population-related issues.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/default.htm

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... 08745538/1