Alabama Avoids Loss Of Congressional Seat With Slight Population Gain
Alabama avoided the loss of a congressional seat as its population grew from 4.8 million in 2010 to 5.03 million last year, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
State officials had feared Alabama would lose one of its seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one of its nine Electoral College members, based on the 2020 census.
The census is taken every 10 years, and the 435 seats in the House are apportioned according to the population of the states. The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama released an analysis in January, predicting Alabama would keep its seven congressional seats and that New York would lose one seat.
That’s what will happen, based on the population count released Monday.
If New York had counted just 89 more people than the 20,215,751 final figure, it would have held on to the House seat, according to The New York Times. Instead, the size of New York’s delegation will drop by one to 26. Minnesota currently has one House member, and it will gain a second.
The distribution of the population nationally is important because census figures are used to distribute federal money among the states, as well as representation in the Electoral College. The Census Bureau said more than $675 billion in federal money is spent annually — based on population of the states — on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other programs.
Gov. Kay Ivey said Alabama’s success in the census “was certainly a group effort across the state, and I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part.”
Among key successes cited by Ivey in the 2020 responses were:
- Higher self-response rate than in the 2010 Census
- 47 of the state’s 67 counties exceeded their final 2010 self-response rates
- Many Black Belt counties performed at or above 2010 levels
The release of data pertains only to statewide population totals. Figures for counties and cities will be released later.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs took over the state’s Census count efforts in 2017 as the state geared up efforts to encourage people to participate in the census.
“This was by far the most time and resources that Alabama state government has ever given toward a census count, and I am happy that our efforts and hard work have paid off,” said Kenneth Boswell, chairman of Alabama Counts! Committee and ADECA director.
Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, has said he expects a special session of the Legislature this summer on legislative redistricting, based on the distribution of the population within Alabama.
The Alabama Legislature is made up of 35 seats in the Senate and 105 in the House of Representatives. Those districts are realigned every 10 years, based on population shifts reflected by the Census.
Brigitte Bardot, sex goddess of cinema, has died
Legendary screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. The alluring former model starred in numerous movies, often playing the highly sexualized love interest.
For Ukrainians, a nuclear missile museum is a bitter reminder of what the country gave up
The Museum of Strategic Missile Forces tells the story of how Ukraine dismantled its nuclear weapons arsenal after independence in 1991. Today many Ukrainians believe that decision to give up nukes was a mistake.
Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland led the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a key governing body. He was next in line to become the church's president.
Winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to busy holiday travel weekend
A powerful winter storm is impacting parts of the U.S. with major snowfall, ice, and below zero wind chills. The conditions are disrupting holiday travel and could last through next week.
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
‘It’s behind you!’ How Britain goes wild for pantomimes during the holidays
Pantomimes are plays based on a well-known story — often a fairy tale — which are given a bawdy twist. The audience is expected to join in throughout, shouting as loudly as they can.
