The first release of 2010 Census figures showed California's population had grown by about 10 percent over the past decade.

Though not official yet, the Latino population fueled much of the state's growth.

The Latino population in California grew by about 25 percent during the past decade, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.

About 11 million Latinos were counted during the 2000 Census.

About 13.7 million were estimated to be living in the state as of 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey, the last official numbers released about Latinos.

Latinos make up about 37 percent of the state's population, according to the survey, which is an annual sampling of U.S. households.

The federal agency plans to release the full, 2010 census population figures based on race and ethnicity early next year.

The U.S. Census Bureau released general population figures for the nation and states on Tuesday for congressional reapportionment purposes.

The reapportionment of congressional seats happens every 10 years after a census count and is based on population growth. Census numbers are also used to determine how to distribute more than $400 billion in federal aid.

California will not gain or lose any congressional seats because its population grew at about the same rate as the rest of the nation.

Political experts believe the Latino population played a key role in California holding on to its 53-member delegation seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"California could have lost a seat if not for Latino growth," said Rosalind Gold, senior director of policy research and advocacy at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Twelve seats were gained or lost by states across the country.

Most of the states that will add congressional seats have growing Latino populations, including Texas, Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, Gold said.

The U.S. population as of April 1, 2010 was 308,745,538, a 9.7 percent increase since 2000. California was the most populous state with 37,253,956 residents, up from 33,871,648 in 2000.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the Latino population had reached 48,356,760 in 2009, about 16 percent of the national population.

According to the 2000 Census, 35 million Latinos were living in the United States, about 12.5 percent of the population.

Gold said the growth in the Latino population does not automatically translate into true political clout. Many Latinos are not eligible to vote because they too young or are not U.S. citizens.

"We have to promote naturalization among Latinos who are eligible to become U.S. citizens," Gold said. "Among native-born Latinos and newly naturalized Latinos we have to promote voter participation."

Leonel.sanchez@sandiegored.com