The city of Missouri City will begin the process to redraw its City Council district boundaries following the 2020 census, which showed the city's population grew by 10.25%.

The 2020 decennial census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau shows Missouri City's population was 74,259, up from 67,358 in the 2010 decennial census.

The redistricting process, during which the city determines the boundaries for its four City Council districts based on population, is required to take place at least once every 10 years within two years of the federal census, City Attorney E. Joyce Iyamu said.

"Redistricting is simply the process of drawing the lines of the districts from which the public officials are elected," Iyamu said.

During its Sept. 20 meeting, Missouri City City Council unanimously passed a motion allowing city staff to recruit specialized legal services to aid in the redistricting process.


This legal counsel will work with the city to conduct an initial assessment of the population and demographics of each council district, Iyamu said. The initial assessment will cost $6,000 and be funded through the legal services line item of the budget, according to city documents.

Iyamu said City Council will adopt criteria and guidelines for the redistricting process in January. This will include legal parameters as well as measures such as keeping neighborhoods or geographical areas together in the new maps.

Additionally, Council will seek public feedback before a new redistricting plan is adopted in April, according to a timeline of events presented to council.

The last time the city redrew council district boundaries was in 2012.