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ALBANY, GA. -- New census numbers show the population of Southwest Georgia is shrinking. That could mean major changes for the economy and its politics.

Darton College Economics Professor Erin Johnson says there’s a simple reason why so many Southwest Georgians are heading north to metro Atlanta. "They want to go places where they can find jobs, to find opportunities," said Johnson. "So those are going to be mostly your urban and suburban areas."

Dougherty County is no exception. New census figures show the local population dropped from just over 96,000 in 2000 to around 94,500 in 2010. That trend northward will likely have a major impact when the state legislature begins redrawing political districts.

"It’s going to be difficult for the Republican state legislature and the Governor to redistrict," said Albany City Commissioner Roger Marietta.

Further complicating the issue is a statewide jump in minority populations – 25 percent for blacks and 96 percent for Hispanics.  

An increase in the number of minority voters might strengthen U.S. congressmen like Sanford Bishop. But losing five to seven seats in the state house and state senate could equal trouble for state representatives like Winfred Dukes if districts have to be combined. "They may be able to keep their seats but they’re going to grow upward, outward, and northward and so somebody’s going to get squeezed out," said Marietta.

The new census numbers put Southwest Georgia in a bit of a catch 22. To attract more people, the region needs money for things like roads and infrastructure. But less representation could make getting the funding for those projects very difficult.

"The number of state representatives we have to go forward and argue on our behalf will be less," said Marietta.

"Our interests may not be best served so that can have an impact on agriculture," added Johnson. "That can have an impact on other industries too."

Any new redistricting plan must pass both state houses, be signed by the Governor, and gain approval from the U.S. Department of Justice.