By Gabe Bullard
Louisville, KY – Kentucky will neither gain nor lose a seat in Congress following the
2010 census.
Kentucky has six seats in the House. That number last changed after the
1990 census. The commonwealth previously had seven seats.
But while the number of seats won't change, the shape of the districts
may. Census Bureau director Robert Groves says information on population
shifts within states will be released next year.
"Starting in February, state by state, the Census Bureau will release
data that will be used by the states for redistricting. That information
gives counts down to the block level."
It's expected that the more detailed data will show a general shift
toward urban areas. The General Assembly will redraw the congressional
districts and their own districts as well.
Kentucky's population has grown to more than 4.3 million people. The
2010 census information released Tuesday showed a 7.4 percent
population increase in the commonwealth since the 2000 census.
That population growth is slower than the national average of 9.7%,
which is one of the lowest rates of growth this century.