The U.S. Census Bureau recently found that Idaho is the fastest growing state in the nation, and if that trend continues, it could mean some big political gains for the Gem State.
Census data showed Idaho’s population grew by 2.2 percent from 2016 to 2017, bringing the state’s population to 1.7 million.
A study from Election Data Services found Idaho is on track to have a third seat in the U.S. House of Representatives by the year 2030 if the in-migration continues at the same rate.
Idaho currently does not have a large enough population to gain a third seat in the House, coming up about 118,000 residents short.
Idaho gained 37,000 residents last year, and the current pace would leave the state just 55,000 people short of another seat in Congress by 2020.
Other states are closer than Idaho to gaining seats, but EDS says the growth rate has the state poised to move up the ladder.
The most recent census data shows states in the South and in the West continue leading in population growth, resulting in a rise in congressional delegations in those areas, and decreasing in the East and upper Midwest. (KTVB)
