Miss. voting age numbers rise

From the AP...

JACKSON, Miss. -- New U.S. Census Bureau figures show Mississippi's voting-age and overall population counts rose slightly between 2008 and 2009.

The estimates, which are current as of July 1, 2009, show the number of Mississippians 18 and older increased by 12,356, or 0.56 percent.

The bureau's estimate of the state's voting-age population in 2008 was 2,171,898, compared to 2,184,254 for 2009.

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The 2009 voting age population represented 74 percent of the overall population, as it did in 2008.

Mississippi's overall population rose from 2,938,618 to 2,951,996, the bureau estimated, an increase of 13,378, or 0.45 percent.

Latest Census estimates show positive growth for Mississippi's Gulf Coast

According to the latest estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau, all six of Mississippi's Gulf Coastal counties gained residents from July 1, 2007 through July 1, 2008. In short:

• George County saw an increase of 470, which represents a 2.14% increase with a total of 22,406 residents. Within MS, George County had the 5th highest percentage change in population growth.

• Hancock County saw an increase of 399, which represents an increase of 1.0% percent with a total of 40,140 residents. Within MS, Hancock County had the 19th highest percentage change in population growth.

• Harrison County saw an increase of 2,094, which represents a 1.187% increase with a total of 178,460 residents. Within MS, Harrison County had the 10th highest percentage change in population growth.

• Jackson County saw an increase of 493, which represents a 0.37% increase with a total of 130,694 residents. Within MS, Jackson County had the 38th highest percentage change in population growth.

• Pearl River County saw an increase of 459, which represents a 0.8% increase with a total of 57,466 residents. Within MS, Pearl River County had the 23rd highest percentage change in population.

• Stone County saw an increase of 476, which represents a 3.06% increase with a total population of 16,025. Within MS, Stone County had the 3rd highest percentage change in population growth.

Statewide, Mississippi experienced slight growth of about 0.6%, up to 2.93 million residents.

Census Bureau tracks livable homes after Katrina

From the Times-Picayune in New Orleans - The Census Bureau will be tracking livable homes following Hurricane Katrina's destruction in August 2005.

Cities challenge Census estimates

Let's try to avoid this or this in Mississippi. Be Counted!

Short synopsis: Pittsburg may challenge the latest Census estimates and the city of New Orleans has succeeded in getting the Census Bureau to revise upward their last estimate by 49,000 residents.

Census estimates: What they mean for Mississippi and the nation

USA Today had an article detailing the Census estimates for 2010. The estimates pointed to a slight population increase of 3.3% for Mississippi since 2000, going from 2,844,666 to 2,938,618. Overall, the national population is estimated to have grown about 8% since 2000, with our current population at 304,059,037.

According to the report, eight states would lose a seat in the House of Representatives if reapportionment were conducted today instead of after the decennial Census in 2010. You might recall that the 2000 Census recorded Mississippi's population decrease--and with it, our lost seat in Congress. (Mississippi now has four, not five, U.S. Represenatives.)

Low population counts result in lost representation. We cannot allows this to happen again. Mississippi, be counted!