WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Census Bureau released population reports for counties and metropolitan areas in 2009, the last annual figures before the new 2010 Census, it says.
The figures are based on the 2000 Census, updated with estimates of population change from births, deaths, and domestic and international migration, and are the last release using 2000 data, the bureau said.
2011 population estimates will be the first based on the 2010 Census.
The 2010 Census population totals will be used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and must be released by April 1, 2011, for counties, cities and other small geographic areas so that states can proceed with redistricting, the bureau said.
The federal government will also use the 2010 data for allocation of funds.
"Census numbers govern the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year and serve as the baseline for future post-Census population estimates," Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said.
