In his latest Gotham Gazette Demographics column, “Census Brings Unpleasant Surprise for State Politicians,” Social Explorer’s Andrew Beveridge examines New York’s population count and what it means for political power.

In 2010, the census counted 163,351 fewer people in New York State than it estimated in 2009.  Because of this population decline, New York will lose two congressional seats.

The loss of two congressional seats will set off a huge redistricting fight. Beyond representation in Congress, the diminished New York state population will have a major impact on the amount of federal aid that the state receives.

Demographers and politicos are scratching their heads trying to figure out how this happened and what the implications will be. Unlike California, which has already claimed an undercount and protests the census results , New York state is still contemplating the impact and sources of this apparent population loss.

Whatever the reason for the lower count in New York State, the implications for congressional redistricting are massive. Most of the population losses occurred in upstate New York, while the gains were in areas in and around the city, most particularly in outer ring suburbs.

Thanks to the new census count, New York state is now in for two separate games of musical chairs to find out which representatives will no longer have seats to call their own.

Beveridge also explores the potential impact on individual upstate and downstate districts.  For more on the underestimated numbers and their consequences for New York (or your home district), click here to read the full article.