Changes in Dunwoody’s population have the city poised to redraw its City Council district lines.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 census showed District 1 grew dramatically, from 12,786 people to 19,008, City Attorney Brian Anderson said. District 2 had a modest growth from 12,712 to 14,439 and District 3 actually decreased slightly from 13,242 people to 12,789.
Cities usually must redistrict every 10 years to reflect the population changes outlined by the most recent census, he said.
“Basically you have a one-man, one-vote construction,” Anderson said. “Everyone is supposed to have the same weight.”
Anderson said he doesn’t yet know how the districts will change. On Nov. 8, Dunwoody will hold an election to choose a mayor and fill three city council seats.
“I would be surprised if it has an impact on candidates running (for City Council). I’m not anticipating that,” Anderson said. “Of course you never know for certain.”
Anderson said he will draw the lines and advertise them for 3 consecutive weeks. The council will have a public hearing and vote on the districts. Once the new lines are approved, the plans will be sent to the federal Department of Justice for review.
The District 1 population grew dramatically because of several apartment buildings that have been built since Dunwoody incorporated, Anderson said.
“We were expecting a big growth,” Anderson said. “That was the overriding factor.”
–Melissa Weinman, melissaweinman@reporternewspapers.net