OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s population continued to grow steadily this year, but the rate of growth may not be enough to ensure the state will keep all three of its U.S. House seats after the 2020 Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau released new estimates Tuesday showing that Nebraska’s population had grown to 1.88 million by July 1 of this year.

The state’s population was roughly 0.7 percent higher than the July 2013 estimate of 1.87 million.

The nationwide population grew at a similar rate to 318.9 million this year, but states in the South and West grew at a more brisk pace above 1 percent.

David Drozd, research coordinator for the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Center for Public Affairs Research, says the state has now gained population for 27 years in a row.