Galvin admits error as Boston gains in Census

Galvin admits error as Boston gains in Census
By Hillary Chabot  |   Tuesday, March 22, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Photo by Ted Fitzgerald (File)

Contrary to figures originally released by Secretary of State William Galvin’s office this morning, the City of Boston actually gained population in the most recent U.S. Census count.

Boston went from 589,141 residents in the 2000 Census to 617,594.

Galvin’s office confirmed the error today and suspended the release of any further numbers until a 2 p.m. press conference. “I very much regret the confusion this has caused,” Galvin said.

Boston officials tell the Herald they knew the figures were bogus.

“We knew right away the numbers were wrong,” said Susan Ellsbree, spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. “We have always been confident that our population has continued to grow.”

Massachusetts is one of 10 states that will lose congressional seats, while 12 states mainly in the South and West will add congressional seats.

The Bay State’s population increased from 6,349,097 to 6,547,629 since 2000 — an increase of 3.1 percent, according to the Census.

The national population rose from 281,421,206 to 308,745,538 or 9.7 percent over the last 10 years.

The U.S. Census Bureau said it would appoint a member of Congress for every 710,767 people, up from one congressman for 646,950 people in 2000.

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