The census numbers are in + city leaders have already started the redistricting process . Let’s break it down.
Local redistricting is the redrawing of the city’s 26 council districts to account for population growth. Jefferson County’s population now stands at 782,969 residents — up 5.7% from 2010 — according to census data.
Redrawing lines
Wondering who draws the lines? The Louisville Metro assigns the responsibility of redistricting to the Ad Hoc Committee, made up of 7 council members.
By law, the new district boundaries must be balanced in population — in our case ~30,000 per district — so city planners went back to the drawing board + released draft maps available for public review. See the current district map here .
Districts 3, 4, + 6 stretch east reshaping districts 15 and 9. | Drawing provided by Louisville Metro
The proposed redistricting map aims to retain the historically Black districts while also redrawing boundaries to break up the population growth in areas like Middletown + Jeffersontown.
According to the Metro Council — after receiving the 2020 Census data — it made the following goals to guide redistricting efforts:
- Keep the core of districts intact
- Ensure minority representation was maximized when possible
- Be respectful of where incumbents live
- Balance populations across all districts
Community-led redistricting
Want your voice heard? The Ad Hoc Committee designated a few ways for residents to participate in the redistricting process, including an online survey and an upcoming community feedback meeting on Oct. 27. To attend in-person, register here before 4 p.m. on Oct. 26.