Mass. loses US House seat, political clout

Today's announcement, which many analysts expected, sets the stage for state lawmakers and Governor Deval Patrick to redraw congressional districts. The new map, which would be in place by the 2012 elections, could radically alter district boundaries.

It is not clear whether any of the current incumbents, all Democrats, will be forced to face each other in the 2012 primaries. If some incumbents decide not to seek another term, the negotiations between the state's congressional delegation and Beacon Hill will be made easier.

Some political observers expect that US Representative Barney Frank, a Newton Democrat first elected in 1980, will not seek reelection in two years. Other members of the delegation, including Michael Capuano of Somerville, Stephen Lynch of South Boston, and Edward Markey of Malden, could be potential candidates to take on US Senator Scott Brown, the Republican who faces reelection in two years.

The state's population has grown, according to the new figures -- rising 3.1 percent to 6,547,629 from 6,349,097 in 2000 -- but not enough to offset the increases in the South and West, which are again gaining seats in the 435-member US House at the expense of the Democratic-dominated Northeast.

A total of 12 seats shifted, affecting 18 states, Census officials said.

The gains made by other states will also mean that Massachusetts' share of federal funds will be less than it has been since the last time the state lost a congressional seat, in 1990.

With the population shifts continuing to bolster GOP strongholds in the South and Southwest, the loss of the seat will also diminish Massachusetts' influence in presidential elections. Each state's Electoral College votes are based on the size of its congressional delegation. The 1910 federal census gave Massachusetts 16 congressional seats, its high point in the last 100 years.

The total population of the United States rose 9.7 percent to 308,745,538 from 281,421,906 in 2000. The Northeast grew by only 3.2 percent, and the Midwest grew 3.9 percent. Meanwhile, the South grew by more than 14 percent and the West grew by 13.8 percent.

Texas grew by more than 20 percent to 25 million people, while Florida surged 17.6 percent to 18.8 million. Other states with more than 15 percent growth included Arizona (24.6), Colorado (16.9), Florida (17.6), Georgia (18.3), Idaho (21.1), Nevada (35.1), North Carolina (18.5), and South Carolina (15.3).

The only state to lose population was Michigan, which dropped 0.6 percent. Rhode Island grew just 0.4 percent.