The U.S. Census Bureau just released updated population estimates ahead of the 2030 Census.

Our team has been digging into the new data, which shows that states with rapid population growth from 2023-2024 are seeing the majority of that growth in metropolitan areas. 

Here’s one reason why that trend is so significant for our movement: The maps in these states are already gerrymandered, and are growing even more gerrymandered as people move into packed districts. The need for redistricting reform will only become more urgent as this pattern continues.

• Texas: The population of Harris County, home to Houston, saw massive growth, increasing by 105,852 people, while Dallas County grew by 19,774 people. Both Houston and Dallas were among the ten fastest-growing metro areas in the country. 
   
• Florida: The population of Miami-Dade County increased by 64,211 people, and Orange County, home to Orlando, grew by 32,381.
   
• Arizona: The population of Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, increased by 57,471 people.
   
• Utah: The population in Salt Lake City and Utah Counties saw a population growth of 37,605 people, making up 62% of the state’s total growth. 
   
• Idaho: The population of the Boise metropolitan area made up 58% of the population growth in the state. 

Barring redistricting reforms, maps drawn based on the 2030 Census data could once again unfairly disadvantage urban, suburban, and diverse communities. 

This data only underscores the need for both an accurate census as well as fair maps to ensure every voice is heard. Please make a contribution of any amount to help fight gerrymandering and ensure a truly representative democracy.

Of course, redistricting isn’t the only process that relies heavily on census data.

Census data is also used to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding to states and municipalities — including Medicare and Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Highway Planning and Construction, the Education Stabilization Fund, National School Lunch Programs, and over 300 other programs. 

Communities are counting on accurate census data to make sure they get the resources they need. But Republican state attorneys general have already sued to try to stop the 2030 Census from counting all U.S. residents. These kinds of blatant attempts to undercount communities with higher populations of immigrants and undocumented people could have far-reaching consequences for people’s daily lives.

So we’ll keep working to ensure a fair count in the next census — which would lay a foundation for fair maps and a fair distribution of resources.

The fair maps movement protected the 2020 Census from Donald Trump in his first term, when he tried to duck the Constitutional requirement to count all residents. And we’ll be prepared no matter what comes at us this time around. But we’ll need your help and support along the way. 

Will you keep powering the fight for a fair census and fair maps by making a $30 donation to the NDRC today?

Sincerely,

Daniel Tutwiler 
Deputy Director, Mapping and Geospatial Analytics
National Democratic Redistricting Committee

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Since 2017, the NDRC has executed a comprehensive redistricting strategy that shifts the redistricting power, creating fair districts where Democrats can compete. Our victories have been made possible by our strong community of grassroots supporters.

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