Census Day

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Today the U.S. Census Bureau released its 2010 findings. The decennial survey of the states found the U.S. population grew at 9.7% over the last decade to 308,745,538, the slowest rate since the Great Depression. The report cost $1.87 billion less than expected, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. But, most importantly, the census determines the makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives. Capped at 435, seats are added and subtracted by population shifts. In total 12 seats will shift mostly from the northeast to the South and West, where the population has grown, on average, 14% over the last decade.

The winners: Texas was the biggest winner, gaining four seats in the U.S. House and bringing its delegation up to 36 seats. Florida gained two seats. Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Georgia, Washington and South Carolina will all gain a single seat.

The losers: New York and Ohio will lose two seats each. Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan will all lose a seat.

Let the gerrymandering redistricting begin.