DEFINITION

What is an Ideal Population?

In redistricting, the Ideal Population (or Ideal Value) is the optimal size for each district; derived by dividing the summed value of the control field by the number of districts (or by the number of members for multi-member districts).

For example, if a state has a population of 5 million people and requires twenty districts, the ideal population is 250,000 population (5,000,000 ÷ 20) in each district.

What is deviation? Map of districts that and dataview of how much they deviate from balanced ideal value.

The ideal population for four districts in Connecticut is 902,829 and the districts in this map deviate from that value by -0.03% (302 below) to 0.05% (451 above)

Software for Redistricting

Maptitude for Redistricting is the professional tool for political redistricting. Designed with input from redistricting professionals, state legislatures, and political parties, Maptitude for Redistricting has the features redistricters want and is easy to learn and use.

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