The Census Bureau announced Tuesday that Michigan's delegation in the U.S. House will fall from 15 to 14 beginning in 2012.
That represents a continued decline since 1970, when Michigan's representation peaked at 19.
Experts say the culprit was a deep, decade-long recession that sent many residents to other states in search of jobs.
The loss of a House seat will hurt Michigan's clout in Washington and also will reduce its share of funding for federal programs such as highway construction, education and health care.
2010 Census Population 308.7 Million
White House downplays political impact from census
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's spokesman says he doesn't expect the results of the new census to have a "huge practical impact" on national politics.
The spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said he has not seen the new data, which was being released Tuesday. Despite migration to Republican-leaning states in the South and West, Gibbs said he didn't see any reason why both parties would not remain competitive in those regions.
The once-a-decade government count will be used to reapportion the 435 House seats among the 50 states. Texas, a strong GOP state, is expected to pick up House seats.
2010 Census Population 308.7 Million
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