The RM of Victoria saw its population spike significantly according to data released earlier this week by Statistics Canada from the 2016 Census.

The municipality's population jumped from 1,119 in 2011 to 1,514 in 2016. That's a spike of 395 people and a 35.3 per cent growth rate -- the highest among all municipalities in Manitoba according to census data.

The question is: How?

"We're certainly glad to hear that, but we're a bit at odds as to just where it came from," says RM of Victoria Reeve Harold Purkess, noting there hasn't been much growth in housing and infrastructure. "We know we have young families and we know our school is in better shape than it's been in awhile, but it's such an increase we're not exactly sure how it came about."

"Unless there was a shortfall from the previous census due to the different forms."

The higher population in census data will provide increased capital benefits to the municipality in the form of provincial government transfers calculated at a per capita rate, Purkess says.

"But on the flip side a lot of the organizations and memberships we contribute too are also done on a per capita basis, so it will cost us a little more there. But the extra numbers are certainly welcome."