(CONCORD) Based on 2009 population estimates and newly released state population data from the U.S. Census Bureau, New Hampshire’s smallest county and two largest cities could lose two seats each when the Legislature redraws district lines for the 2012 elections.

The U.S. Census Bureau today unveiled the state population totals from the 2010 Census. With 1,321,445 people, New Hampshire will retain its two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. But lawmakers will need to change voting districts for Congress, Executive Council, State Senate, and State House seats before the June 2012 filing period opens in June.

Redistricting the 400-member House is by far the most complicated task. Since each Representative also serves as a member of the County Delegation, which votes on county budgets, House Districts must be nested withing county lines. The Legislature allocates how many seats each county will have based on population, and traditionally gives each county delegation broad latitude to redraw their own boundaries.

With a state population of 1,321,445, each State House District would have an ideal population of 3,304, up from 3,060 ten years ago. If the final Census numbers due in April are consistent with the county population estimates from the 2009 American Community Survey Data, Coos County would lose two House seats, Cheshire County would lose one, and Belknap, Merrimack, and Rockingham Counties would each gain an additional Representative.

Using the 2009 estimates for New Hampshire cities, Manchester and Nashua would each lose two House seats, while other cities could maintain their current number of seats. Berlin, Rochester, Claremont, and Somersworth currently share legislative districts with neighboring towns.  Manchester’s estimated population of 109,279 would support 33 House seats, down from its current delegation of 35.  Nashua, with an estimated population of 87,555, would support 26.5 House members, down from 28.