Census data release jumpstarts redistricting

The U.S. Census Bureau came out with the 2020 census numbers on Thursday, kicking off legislative redistricting efforts across the country. States must redraw the boundaries of 429 House districts and 7,383 state legislative districts ahead of the 2022 elections. Republicans only need five more seats in the U.S. House to gain a majority in 2022. The GOP controls redistricting in 20 states compared to eight Democratic-led states. Independent commissions or bipartisan groups are leading redistricting in 16 states, racing the clock to complete new maps in time. Each state has a different timeline, and some require new districts by the end of the year or sooner. Ohio has a Sept. 15 deadline, while Colorado needs new districts by Oct. 1.

What does the census show? The fastest population growth was recorded in big city suburbs in states such as Texas and Arizona, indicating increasing urbanization. The country’s top 10 cities all surpassed 1 million residents since 2010. The data shows a demographic shift, too: White Americans still account for the largest racial category, but the number of Americans identifying as only white dropped 8.6 percent in the past decade.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Stew about how states are gearing up for redistricting amid partisan politics.