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Show mvyBlh Hud If present trends continue, Utah could be awarded a third seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, after the 1980 Census of Population is taken. This was the conclusion reached by Utah Foundation, the private research organization, in a study of population trends. UTAHS present allocation of two congressional seats is based on the 1970 census count. Since 1970, however, Utah has been growing at a much faster rate 1 than the rest of the nation. I Between 1970 and 1976, the population growth in Utah has averaged 2.4 per cent S per year, compared with a growth rate of j only 0.9 per cent per year for the nation as I a whole. I ACCORDING to the Foundation r analysis, this rapid growth in the state is I attributed to three major factors -- a high I birth rate, a low death rate, and substan-I substan-I tial in-migration. p Utah's birth rate currently is highest in the nation; the death rate is well below the national average; and net in-migration accounted for 35,000 new residents since 1970. FOLLOWING the 1970 Census of Population, the basis of apportioning the t U.S. House of Representatives was one I representative for every 468,088 persons I in the population. With a total apportion-,1 apportion-,1 ment population (residents plus qualified individuals living abroad) of 1,067,810, Utah was represented by one Congressman Congress-man for every 533,905 persons. Since this ratio was about 15 per cent above the average for the nation, Utah has been slightly underrepresented in Congress based on the 1970 census count. FOUNDATION analysts project that Utah should have a resident population of 1,342,000 in 1980 when the next census is taken. The resident population of the U.S. (excluding the District of Columbia which is not part of the apportionment), on the other hand, will reach 221,107,000 if present trends are continued. Based on these projections, one congressional seat will be allotted for every 508,300 persons residing in the 50 states. UTAH WITH a projected resident population of 1,342,000 probably would be entitled to three representatives. These figures could be altered slightly by the addition of qualified persons living abroad who are included in the allocation count. Present Federal law calls for an automatic au-tomatic reapportionment of Congress following each decennial census. Representation in Congress is assigned so that the average population per representative represen-tative has the least possible relative variation between one state and any other. CONGRESSIONAL seats for the 1982 general election will be allocated according accord-ing to the 1980 Census results. If Utah's population growth by 1980 justifies the allocation of a third seat in Congress, the state will be faced with the task of redesigning the congressional districts so that they are more-or-less equal in population. THE FOUNDATION reports that Salt Lake County now has more than 42 per cent of the state's total population and it probably would have its own congressman if the number is increased to three. In fact, it is likely that part of Salt Lake County might have to be included with one of the other congressional districts in order to insure equal representation. THE U.S. HOUSE of Representatives currently consists of 435 members. Since 1910, Utah has been represented by two members in this body. Prior to 1910, Utah had only one congressman. |