in VOA Special English.This week, the United StatesCensus Bureau releasedits official countof the nation's population.It said the population,as of April first,was three hundred eight million,seven hundred forty-five thousand,five hundred thirty-eight.The population increasednine point seven percent in ten years.This was the nation'slowest growth ratesince the nineteen thirties.Experts say this was a resultof falling birth ratesamong some groups and fewer immigrantsbecause of the recession.Two states had the largestpopulation increases.Texas gained more thanfour million people-- more than any other state.Nevada was the fastest growing state.Its population increasedthirty-five percent from the lastcensus in two thousand.Across the country,the largest increases werein southern and western states.The population continues to movefrom the Northeast and Midwestto the South and West.This has been happeningfor the past forty years.The United States Constitutioncalls for a census of the nation'spopulation every ten years.This must be done to equally dividethe four hundred thirty-fivevoting districts in the Houseof Representatives among the states.Each House member represents,on average, about seven hundredthousand people.The states with the biggest populationshave more congressional seatsthan less populated states.The most populated state, California,has fifty-three House seats.The least populous, Wyoming,has only one seat.Eighteen states will gain or lose seatsin the House because of the census results.Texas will gain four seats,more than any other state.Florida will gain two seats.Six states in the South and Westwill each gain one seat.Ohio and New York willlose two House seats each.Eight states, mostlyin the Northeast and Midwest,will lose one seat each.Some experts say the census reportwas possible good newsfor the Republican Party.Most of the states that will gain seatsusually support Republicans.Many of the states losing seatsusually vote for Democrats.Amy Walter is political directorfor ABC News.AMY WALTER: "There are some expertswho are looking at this dataand saying that basedon what they see now,Republicans could add tenmore seats to their total."State legislatures and governorsare responsible for settingthe borders of congressional districts.Republican gains in the electionslast month will strengthen their powerin the redistricting processthat is to begin next year.The change in House seatsmight also affect the voting for president.Under the Constitution,the number of electoral voteseach state has is based onits total number of Houseand Senate seats.Adding some House seatsto the South and West mighthelp the Republican candidatefor president in twenty-twelve.The census report showsthat Hispanics are a major reasonfor population growth in stateslike Texas, Arizona and Florida.Since Hispanics usually vote Democratic,experts say this may helpDemocrats in the long-term.And that's IN THE NEWSin VOA Special English.