(AUSTIN) — Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, today (Friday) announced the results of the decennial census for Senate District (SD) 21.

"Ten of our counties gained population over the last decade, while seven counties lost population," Senator Zaffirini said. "Wilson County was the fastest-growing county, followed closely by Webb."

Other counties in SD 21 that grew are Bexar, Atascosa, Frio, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Starr, Zapata and Zavala. Those that lost population are Bee, Dimmit, Duval, Karnes, Live Oak, McMullen and San Patricio.

The cities of Laredo and San Antonio experienced strong population growth: San Antonio is now the second-largest city in Texas, and Laredo is the tenth. Additionally, the data show that the state's Hispanic population increased by 42 percent, comprising 38 percent of Texans.

Senator Zaffirini has represented this configuration of counties, including northeast Bexar, since 2003. The district will change anew effective 2012.

The Texas Legislative Council is processing and formatting local data for use in the state's redistricting software. Once that process is complete, the Texas Legislature will redraw the boundaries of the state's congressional, state legislative and state board of education districts to reflect shifts in the state's population.

"As the ranking member of the Senate Redistricting committee, my priority will be to ensure that our South Texas communities of interest are kept together and that every person has an effective voice in government," Senator Zaffirini said.

More census results may be obtained via www.census2010.gov

  ATTACHMENT:   Senate District 21 Population Changes

CENSUS DATA SHOW that ten Senate District 21 counties gained population over the last decade, and seven lost population. A member of the Senate Redistricting Committee, Senator Judith Zaffirini works to protect South Texas communities of interest in the Texas Senate.

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