It was the only decrease among the 50 states and the state’s first in the last 100 years.

But much more was on the line than just numbers.

The results of the census, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, are used to proportionately dole out billions of dollars in federal funding for state and municipal projects. They also apportion the number of seats each state has in the 435-seat U.S. House of Representatives.

In the latter category, Michigan lost one seat of representation, paring down its number of seats to 14, according to census data.

The loss follows a 30-year trend, as the state has lost at least one seat in the House since 1980; Michigan lost two seats in 1990, according to data.

It is unclear how the district landscape looks, as Congress next year will be tasked with redistricting in accordance with census data.

Analysts and media reports have predicted a redistricting showdown between the soon-to-be Republican-controlled House and the narrowly Democratic Senate. According to documents from the Census Bureau, the reapportioned Congress will not take office until 2013.

The impact of the census’ results extends past the number of federal dollars spent on each state and seats in the House.

The results also are used to determine the make-up of the electoral college, meaning presidential elections can be impacted when national results are considered, officials said during a news conference Tuesday morning.

“Much is riding on the results,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said during a news conference Tuesday. “The 2010 census will serve as a backbone for our political and economic stability for years to come.”

Updated population numbers for East Lansing were unavailable on the Census Bureau’s website. The city’s population was 46,320 at the time of the 2000 census.

The population of the nation as a whole increased greatly from 2000. As of April 1, when the Census is taken, more than 308 million people resided within the country. Ten years ago, the number was more than 281 million.

Despite this, it is, at 9.7 percent, the smallest increase in the U.S.’s population in more than 70 years. It is the second smallest increase since 1910, after 1940’s 7.3 percent increase, according to census data.

Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves said the population increase can be attributed to both natural causes, such as fertility rates, and immigration rates both legal and illegal.

Groves said natural causes represented about 60 percent of the growth, with immigration making up the remaining percentage.

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