Video: The American Population

On October 2006 demographers determined that the US population reached 300 million. What is the significance of this number? Watch as this demographer from the Brookings Institute discusses what this is going to mean for the future of America.

Click on the image above to watch The Online NewsHour: U.S. Population Tops 300 Million, or click here for the transcript and audio of the segment.

What two regions of the United States does the demographer say are experiencing the most growth?

The southeast and the southwest.

What is the significance of this move for politics in the United States?

States gain or lose congressional representation based as their population changes. As states grown in population the number of representatives they have in the House increase. States which lose population can lose representatives as well.