Georgia’s stands to gain a Congressional seat as its population grew by 18.3 percent since 2000, according to data released today by the United States Census.

The state population according to the census was 9,687,653. The state’s growth rate was one of the tops in the South, trailing Texas, which had a 20.6 percent increase in population (and gains four Congressional seats), and North Carolina, which grew 18.5 percent. Florida’s population increased 17.6 percent, and stands to gain two Congressional seats. South Carolina grew by 15.3 percent and stands to gain a Congressional seat, while Alabama’s grew by 7.5 percent.

Georgia will have 14 Congressmen after reapportionment.

Total U.S. population stands at 308,745,5398 in the count,  a 9.7 percent increase since 2000.

The most populous state was California (37,253,956); the least populous, Wyoming (563,626). The state that gained the most numerically since the 2000 Census was Texas (up 4,293,741 to 25,145,561) and the state that gained the most as a percentage of its 2000 Census count was Nevada (up 35.1 percent to 2,700,551).

Regionally, the South and the West picked up the bulk of the population increase, 14,318,924 and 8,747,621, respectively. But the Northeast and the Midwest also grew: 1,722,862 and 2,534,225.

Puerto Rico's resident population was 3,725,789, a 2.2 percent decline from 2000.

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

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