Census 2000 Apportionment Data Released

Part 1: Figures adjusts states' representation in U.S. House

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Dateline: 12/28/00

Initial figures released by the Census Bureau in Washington today show America's population grew to 281,421,906, an increase of about 13.2 percent since 1990.

State population totals from this initial set of data will be used to redistribute seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 108th Congress (in 2003-2004) fairly among the states. This process, called "reapportionment" is required by the Constitution to be done every 10 years, in conjunction with the national census. [Article I, section 2, clause 3, U.S. Constitution]

Under a formula created by Congress, states with larger populations get more representatives than smaller states.

Currently, each of the 435 members of the House represents about 625,000 people. Under the new population figures, this number will increase to about 647,000 people per representative starting with the 108th Congress in 2003.

Powered by population booms in those areas, states in the Southern and Western U.S. gained seats in the House. According to Census 2000 figures, states gaining and losing seats in the House are as follows:

States Gaining 2 Seats in the House Are: 

• Texas (32 seats)
• Arizona (8 seats)
• Georgia (13 seats)
• Florida (25 seats)

States Gaining 1 Seat in the House Are:

• California (53 seats)
• Nevada (3 seats)
• Colorado (7 seats)
• North Carolina (13 seats)

States Losing 2 Seats in the House Are:

• New York (29 seats)
• Pennsylvania (19 seats)

States Losing 1 Seat in the House Are:

• Wisconsin (8 seats)
• Michigan (15 seats)
• Illinois (19 seats)
• Indiana (9 seats)
• Ohio (18 seats)
• Connecticut (5 seats)
• Oklahoma (5 seats)
• Mississippi (4 seats)

Representation of other states will remain unchanged from 2000. [Figures for All States]

Apportionment set by Census 2000 will take effect with the congressional elections in Nov. 2002.

In March, the Census Bureau is scheduled to publish county and city-level population figures from Census 2000 that will be used redraw actual U.S. congressional and state legislative geographic districts.

Actual population figures for each state from Census 2000 are shown on the next page.

Next page > Actual State Population Data as Released by Census Bureau > Page 1, 2 

 

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