WASHINGTON — The numbers for the 2010 census are out, and the news appears good for Republican-leaning states when it comes to adding new seats in the House of Representatives.

The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census be conducted every 10 years to reflect the population shifts in the country accurately. The new numbers spell out congressional reapportionment as the states divvy up the 435 seats in the House.

Tuesday’s findings showed a a growing population in Western and Southern states — areas where Republicans tend to do well.

According to U.S. Census Bureau figures:

• Eight states will gain House members, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington.
• Ten states will lose members in the House, including Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
• Then-candidate Barack Obama won eight of those states in 2008.
• Thirty-two states saw no gains in seats, including California. The solid blue state still has the largest congressional delegation with 53 seats.

In states where one party dominates, the redistricting process could give that party an advantage, and the results could have a big impact on the 2012 battle for control of Congress.

The GOP made major gains in last month’s midterm elections with governorships and state legislatures, which have control over the redistricting process. The election results will give the Republicans a much bigger say in how the electoral map is redrawn.

The census numbers also could have a big impact on the next race for the White House, as some states will gain or lose electoral votes, and ultimately influence the outcome of the 2012 presidential race.

Of particular note, Texas — a solid Republican state — gained four House seats. A large Hispanic population there may have been good for Obama in 2008, but the state went for Republican John McCain. The state will now have 36 House seats.

Another influential state that will help a candidate in electoral gains is Florida. The state was at the center of the 2000 electoral battle between George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore, and has since been a proving ground for both parties’ candidates. The state now has 27 seats.

Overall, the number of seats in the House has grown since the first census in 1790. Congress increased the number to 435 in 1913, according to the Census Bureau.