DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Figures released by the U.S. Census bureau show Iowa’s population continues to grow slowly but steadily. The Census Bureau released estimates Tuesday showing Iowa’s population was just over 3.1 million as of July 1. The estimate shows the state’s population grew by a little less than 15,000 in the past year, for a growth rate of about a half percent. It has grown by 2 percent since 2010.

Iowa’s population has seen gradual growth for nearly three decades. However, because other states have grown more quickly, Iowa has lost congressional seats during once-a-decade redistricting, most recently in 2010 when the number of U.S. House seats fell to four.

The state also lost a congressional seat after the 1990 census. Iowa remains 30th in population among the states.