New census numbers show that Pennsylvania is once again the nation’s fifth largest state, passing Illinois after two decades, but it is also one of the slowest growing, writes Jonathan Lai for Philly.com.

New population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Keystone State has recovered from last year’s historic dip in population growth and is now showing steady growth. However, this recovery is not enough to overtake states in the South and West.

Over time, this slow growth could cost Pennsylvania another congressional seat. The state started with 36 House of Representatives members in 1910, but has since lost at least one seat each decade in the reapportionment process bring its current total to 18.

The next round will take place after the 2020 Census and looks likely to result in the loss of another seat.

According to estimates as of July 1, 2017, Pennsylvania had 12,805,537 people. This is an increase of 18,452 from the year before. Out of that, 7,360 came from the net change in births and deaths, while 11,596 was net migration. This means that the majority of the state’s growth has come from international immigration.

Read more about the census at Philly.com here.

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Top photo credit: Traveller-Reini Washington D.C.: United States Capitol – classic view: the west side of the building via photopin (license)