LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The U.S. Census Bureau has released the first data from the recently completed 2020 census. It revealed new state population counts affecting the Electoral College and congressional apportionment.
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Nevada will not lose or gain any congressional seats, according to the Census Bureau.
The U.S. population is 331,449,281, which is an increase of 7.6% from 2010. Nevada's population is 3,108,462, up by 15% from 2010.
RELATED: 2020 Census report: US tops 331M people; 6 states will gain Congressional seats, 7 will lose a seat
The roads you drive on and the schools your children go to may be receiving a boost in funding, thanks to Nevada’s growing population. The U.S. Census Bureau just released new numbers for the first time from the 2020 census.
More and more people are deciding home means Nevada. The U.S. Census Bureau releasing numbers Monday showing the state growing by 15 percent over the last decade, putting it at more than 3 million people.
“We’re clearly seeing that in our housing market today. That population increase and that inflow of equity coming in, principally from California.”
Jeremy Aguero with Applied Analysis says having more people means more money from the federal government, especially for a state that has been hurt by the pandemic economically.
“Those dollars pay dividends towards jobs, wages, and salaries and quite frankly, an extension of a social safety net, our community really needed,” he said.
About a third of Nevada’s budget comes from federal funds and it’s likely to see more, helping pay for schools and roads. Clark County commissioner Tick Segerblom says the census numbers need to be used by the federal government as soon as possible. He says this affects things like vaccine distribution where old population numbers didn’t accurately reflect the state’s actual need.
RELATED: A breakdown of the 2020 U.S. Census apportionment results
“One of the things we’ll be doing with our congressional delegation is to push the Biden administration to implement it right away because this has a day to day impact,” he said.
Aguero says he anticipates Nevada’s growth to continue, with Californians searching for economic opportunity being a big reason why.
“There are enough people moving from what is the seventh-largest economy and coming across the border to the state of Nevada. Their small decline is our large increase and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon,” he said.
Rebecca Garcia, president of the Nevada PTA feels optimistic after the bureau released its latest numbers for Nevada as it means more money towards public education.
“Like with early childhood programs, nutrition assistance. All of the free and reduced lunch programs and other nutrition programs. Those come from federal programs,” she said.
Garcia says any additional federal money is crucial, saying the state doesn’t adequately fund public education on its own.
“Truly any additional investment of federal funds over a long period of time. That’s the difference with the census. This gives us federal funding for many years to come,” she said.
The census data is still being put together and a further breakdown of that data like race, ethnicity, and education is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
