Has Hanover taken over as the most populous rural municipality in Manitoba? Reeve Stan Toews says there is a very good chance.

When 2011 Census figures were released, it showed Hanover had the second highest population among municipalities in this province. With 14,026 residents in Hanover, only Springfield had more, and by the smallest of margins. Springfield topped the list with 14,069 residents. When you factor in cities, Hanover was 4th on the list with Winnipeg (663,617) and Brandon (46,061) claiming the top two spots.

But Toews feels change is in the air.

"We have been growing faster than a lot of the other jurisdictions," notes Toews. "That's why we think there's a chance that we moved up a rung on the ladder."

Hanover staff has crunched some numbers and come out with an estimate for how many residents live in the municipality today. Knowing there are 4,973 dwelling units and multiplying that by the 2011 Census Canada average of 3.7 persons per household for Hanover, Toews says their projected population is 18,400.

"The guess is that if these figures are close, then we could be the heaviest populated rural municipality in Manitoba and we could also even be third (including cities) in the province," says Toews.

Toews and the rest of Hanover will have to wait a few more weeks before learning where they stand. 2016 Census figures are expected to be released, beginning February 8th.

(Hundreds of people gather in Grunthal last August to take in the Hanover Ag Fair.)