Census Could Alter County Council Districts

It's redistricting time for Northampton County Council. 

Council President John Cusick says that the population growth of the Easton area shown in the 2010 census means that the lines of council's four districts will need to be redrawn. 

While Easton itself only grew in the last 10 years, census figures show the suburban townships around the city saw significant growth. One of those townships -- Williams, which grew by 31 percent -- would most likely move out of its current district two and into district three, Cusick said.

District three encompasses the boroughs of Bath, Nazareth, Northampton, Freemansburg and North Catasauqua, and the townships of Allen, Bethlehem, East Allen, Lower Nazareth and Lower Saucon. Of those communities, only Lower Saucon borders Williams.

But because of that shift, another community might be moved out of region three, and so on. 

Council Clerk Frank Flisser said the county has until the end of the year to make the change. He said council redrew the district lines ten years ago following the last census, but that the shifts then were "minimal."