DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s population grew at a modest rate to 3.12 million this year, but the growth rate trailed behind the national rate. The U.S. Census Bureau released new estimates Tuesday showing state and national populations as of July 1. Iowa’s population grew by 14,418, or 0.5 percent, over last year’s total of 3.11 million.

The national population grew 0.8 percent to 321.4 million between last year and this year. Iowa remains 30th in population among the states. Iowa lost a U.S. House seat after the 2010 Census because the state’s population grew more slowly than other states. So the state’s current four House seats are likely safe even with Iowa’s continued slow growth.