South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 24, 2009 12:33 PM CST
South the Big Winner in New Census
Texas delegates wave their hats during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one.

Ohio would lose two seats, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania would each be down one, USA Today reports. The figures attest to a long-running trend, and it’s one that favors Republicans. With those totals in place, Barack Obama’s margin of victory over John McCain would have been 12 points lower. (More Census Bureau stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X