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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Iowa's population is growing, but its congressional delegation will be shrinking.

The census bureau released 2010 census numbers Tuesday morning. Iowa's population grew from just over 2.9 million residents to a shade over 3 million. That represents a four point percent increase.

Unfortunately, that is far below the nearly 10% increase the nation saw. So Iowa will lose one of its five congressional districts in 2012.

This marks the second consecutive census that Iowa has lost a congressional seat.

Wapello County Republican Chairwoman Trudy Caviness says the news will make things more difficult for Iowa representatives.

"The more people you have, there's some more opportunities you have congressional people looking out for you. And when you lose one, then all of the sudden we're going to split the state in fours instead of fives. But one person will represent a few more people."

"You always hate to lose population. You always hate to lose a representative in D.C. Because of course the more people we have representing us in D.C., the more things, our issues in Iowa are taken care of."

It becomes very likely that once Iowa's non-partisan restricting process is complete, at least one 2012 Iowa congressional race will feature two current incumbents facing off against each other.

"I just think that the people should watch and see where this happens. Again, it's going to be very interesting to see how the districts are drawn and to see where it plays."

The first re-districting draft should be ready by May.