Some experts think fast-changing population growth in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District could mean that the city of St. Cloud finds itself in another district after the coming redistricting, according to the St. Cloud Times.

While the state will keep all eight of its current House seats, the makeup of the districts will surely change as some areas saw growth and others saw population loss.

The paper quotes University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs saying redistricting in the central part of the state will affect St. Cloud and other areas north of the Twin Cities. Sherburne, Wright and Anoka counties are the fastest-growing parts of the 6th District.

 “There will definitely be areas where there will be substantial redrawing,” Jacobs said, “and that will include St. Cloud.”

In 2009, the 6th district had 757,000 residents, but estimates show that each of the state’s eight districts will likely have only 633,000, said State Demographer Tom Gillaspy.

St. Cloud is on the edge of the current 6th, near two other districts that will need to add residents, the 7th and the 8th. Jacobs told the paper that he predicts Republicans in control of the Legislature will try to move GOP-friendly districts from the 6th into the 7th and 8th when redistricting begins.

He told the paper:

“You will see lots of people with lots of maps. This is going to be like inviting in five architects to redesign your kitchen. You’re going to get five different ideas.”