The Vermont population grew almost 2.8% in the last decade, to a resident population of 643,077, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The nationwide, state-by-state census figures released Monday were part of the national reapportionment of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The new population numbers will be used by governments, nonprofit groups and others to inform critical services, said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
“We use the data to make sure the economy is working for everyone,” Raimondo said. “The data is vital.”
The figures show that in the last decade Vermont added 17,336 people. However, Vermont will continue to have only one representative to the U.S. House.
Vermont continues to be hobbled by an aging population that has lead to a shrinking workforce and a decline in the number of children in the state’s schools and the state has worked hard to attract new residents.
The census found that Colorado, Montana and Oregon all added residents and gained seats in the U.S. House. Texas was the biggest winner - the second-most populous state added two congressional seats, while Florida and North Carolina gained one. States losing seats included Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Vermont’s growth outpaced three states that lost population from 2010 to 2020. Those states were Illinois, Mississippi and West Virginia.
Vermont continues to be the second least populated state in the country. Only Wyoming has fewer residents.
Nationally, the population of the United States grew by 7.4% to 331,449,281, the second-slowest increase ever.
Vermont’s growth of 2.8% was slightly greater than the state of Maine, which grew by 2.6%, but less than neighboring New Hampshire, which saw a 4.6% population increase.
More detailed census information about Vermont and other states will be released later this year.
Census takers had to try new methods to finish the big count this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. For example, the census was advertised on pizza boxes instead of during basketball games, said Ron Jarmin, acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau.
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