Rockwell City, Iowa (AP) – Rockwell City is challenging the 2010 census, which shows its population dropping by nearly 25 percent in the decade since the last count. According to the latest census, Rockwell City, which is located in northwestern Iowa’s Calhoun County, has 1,709 residents. The 2000 census showed 2,264 people. That’s a loss of 555 residents.

Rockwell City is home to a state prison, which houses about 500 inmates. City Clerk Kim Kelly said she would be sending in the necessary paperwork to challenge the results. The challenge will include the City’s assertion the inmates weren’t counted.

When the issue surfaced earlier this year, state officials said the inmates were to be counted as Rockwell City residents.