Here’s a pop quiz: do you know your district?
If you had to give it a quick search, no worries. Richmond residents may soon have different voter districts thanks to the national census. The citywide process began in December to reapportion + redistrict the nine areas in 2022.
The city is currently divided into nine Richmond Voter Districts, each of which are represented by someone on City Council. If you want to know who your council member is, check out this page.
The last redistricting was finalized in 2012. Since then, Richmond has seen considerable population shifts.
Here are some fast facts to throw out at your next party:
- Richmond’s population increased 11% between censuses. It now sits at 226,610.
- The population shift was the largest the city has seen in the last 40 years.
- According to the new numbers, ideal districts will have ~25,000 people each.
Three districts have seen substantial changes in the last decade. That means the way the districts are currently drawn, the population counts are now too far off from that ideal number.
The 2nd District — called “North Central” — and the 6th — “Gateway” — have grown. Northside, the 3rd District, decreased in population in that time.
Here’s where you come in. City leaders are hosting information and engagement meetings throughout the process to raise awareness + collect public input. There is a virtual meeting today at noon.
According to 6th District Councilperson Ellen Robertson, the official 30-day public comment period is set to begin Tues., Jan. 25.
Let’s get ready to redraw Richmond.