This is a big day for Steinbach and neighbouring municipalities. Population numbers from the 2016 census will be released at 7:30 Wednesday morning.

Steinbach's population in the 2011 census was 13,524. City officials say, based on building permits over the past five years, that number could rise by about 3,000 people.

Census data is used for a number of things such as determining the size of federal and provincial grants to municipalities on a per person basis. If Steinbach surpasses the 15,000 mark, it will also face a higher percentage of RCMP costs according to a formula that applies to all municipalities.

The population of Niverville in 2011 was 3,450 and it expects to surpass the 5,000 mark. The RM of Hanover had 14,026 people in 2011, just slightly fewer than the RM of Springfield which was the largest municipality in the province. Hanover expects it could take top spot this time around.

Statistics Canada will release the numbers at 7:30 a.m. and we will publish the local number by 8:00 a.m.