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.

Question:

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