U.S.A. 1950

In ten years, the U.S. had gained nearly 19 million people--the biggest increase in its history, and greater than the combined populations of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The population of the U.S., according to the tentative census figures released last week, now stands at 150,520,198. The massive westward shift of the U.S. people would perceptibly change the traditional political balance of the U.S.

In the new census figures, New York still held a big lead as the No. 1 state, with a population of 14,743,210. But the real surprise was bustling, booming California (10,472,348), which had jumped in ten years from fifth to second place. The next eight: 3. Pennsylvania, 10,435,965

4. Illinois, 8,696,490

5. Ohio, 7,901,971

6. Texas, 7,677,060

7. Michigan, 6,334,172

8. New Jersey, 4,821,880

9. Massachusetts, 4,711,753 10. North Carolina, 4,034,858.

Five of the 48 states had lost population: Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

Distribution of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives (and likewise the electoral votes of each state) depend by law on the census. The new figures meant that industrial New York and Pennsylvania had lost some of their overwhelming political power. With one representative now allotted for roughly every 344,000 citizens, New York stood to lose three of its 45 representatives, Pennsylvania perhaps two of its 33. But California expected to get eight new seats to add to its present 23.

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