Nevada gets fourth congressional seat

Nevada was the state that gained the most as a percentage of its 2010 Census count. The Silver State was up 35.1 percent to 2,700,551.

The increase will result in an additional representative in congress for the state.

Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., said he was pleased that the state will be getting another member in Congress.

"After much speculation, I am pleased Nevada will be receiving an additional congressional seat," Heller said. "The Nevada delegation works closely together on issues important to our state and adding another voice to the congressional delegation will greatly benefit the state of Nevada."

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., presaged the battle over redistricting during the coming Legislative session.

"I hope that when the boundaries of this new district are drawn it is done in a way that best benefits Nevadans, not a political party," he said. "This fourth Congressional seat will ensure that the people of Nevada continue to be well-represented in Congress and that their voices are heard even more loudly through the halls of the Capitol. The Nevada Delegation will be adding a new member, and I look forward to seeing who the people of Nevada elect to fill this position."

The resident population of the United States on April 1, 2010, was 308,745,538.

According to the census, that represented an increase of 9.7 percent over the 2000 U.S. resident population of 281,421,906. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Acting Commerce Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank and Census Bureau Director Robert Groves unveiled the official counts at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

"A big thanks to the American public for its overwhelming response to the 2010 Census," U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. "The result was a successful count that came in on time and well under budget, with a final 2010 Census savings of $1.87 billion."

Rebecca Blank, now Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce who has overseen the 2010 Census as Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, echoed Locke. "The 2010 Census was a massive undertaking, and in reporting these first results, we renew our commitment to our great American democracy peacefully, fairly and openly for the 23rd time in our nation's history."

The U.S. resident population represents the total number of people in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Beginning in February and wrapping up by March 31, 2011, the Census Bureau will release demographic data to the states on a rolling basis so state governments can start the redistricting process.

Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution calls for a census of the nation's population every 10 years to apportion the House seats among the states. The 2010 Census is the 23rd census in our nation's history.

For more information, visit www.census.gov.