Latino population grew about 25% in California

Played key role in state keeping all congressional seats

Por: Leonel Sáncez 22 Diciembre 2010 @ 3:13 pm

Latinos emerged as a powerful force in California’s life in the last decade. SanDiegoRed/Services

The first release of 2010 Census figures showed California’s population had grown by about 10 percent over the past decade.

Though not official yet, the Latino population fueled much of the state’s growth.

The Latino population in California grew by about 25 percent during the past decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.

About 11 million Latinos were counted during the 2000 Census.

About 13.7 million were estimated to be living in the state as of 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, the last official numbers released about Latinos.

Latinos make up about 37 percent of the state’s population, according to the survey, which is an annual sampling of U.S. households.

The federal agency plans to release the full, 2010 census population figures based on race and ethnicity early next year.

The U.S. Census Bureau released general population figures for the nation and states on Tuesday for congressional reapportionment purposes.

The reapportionment of congressional seats happens every 10 years after a census count and is based on population growth. Census numbers are also used to determine how to distribute more than $400 billion in federal aid.

California will not gain or lose any congressional seats because its population grew at about the same rate as the rest of the nation.

Political experts believe the Latino population played a key role in California holding on to its 53-member delegation seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“California could have lost a seat if not for Latino growth,â€