By MICHELE GERLACH
The Andalusia Star-News

The population of both the United States and of Alabama have increased over the past 10 years, according to the first 2010 Census data released yesterday.

The 2010 Census showed the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2010, was 308,745,538, or 9.7 percent more than the population in 2000.

In Alabama, the population increased 7.5 percent, to 4,779,736. That was less growth than experienced by neighboring Florida (17.6 percent), Georgia (18.3 percent), and Tennessee (11.5 percent); but more than Mississippi ( 4.3 percent); and Louisiana (1.4 percent).

The Southeast was the fastest growing region of the nation (14.3 percent), closely followed by the West with 13.8 percent. The Northeast grew only 3.2 percent and the Midwest only 3.9 percent.

Only Michigan (0.6 percent) and Puerto Rico (2.2 percent) experienced population declines.

Alabama will not be affected by federal reapportionment and will maintain seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

County and city numbers will be released by the U.S. Census Bureau in March.