March 8, 2001, the Census Bureau released the first official figures from the 2000 census. Figures for New Jersey, Mississippi, Virginia and Wisconsin were released to demonstrate the impact of allowing respondents to indicate more than one race on their census forms (there were 63 race options). The largest gains were among Asian and Hispanic Americans, with Hispanic populations in the latter three states growing over 100% since 1990 and close to 62% in New Jersey. The new multiracial categories account for some of this increase, but they will also make the work of demographers much more difficult. For instance, it is likely that across the country the Hispanic population surpassed that of African Americans. This may depend, however, on whether or not demographers include those who selected other races in addition to Hispanic or African American in the totals. Data for several more states is due for release today, and all states must receive their data by April 1. This data will be used for the all-important and often contentious redrawing of political district boundaries as well as in divying up the over $185 billion transferred every year from the federal government to states and local communities.