The RM of Chesterfield No. 261 incorporated as a rural municipality on December 9, 1912.[2]
Geography
The southern boundary of the RM is along the South Saskatchewan River. The largest lake is Cabri Lake and the Mantario Hills are found in the western part of the RM. Within the hills is the Mantario Hills (SK 047) Important Bird Area (IBA) of Canada, which is a significant staging area for Canadian geese and nesting area for the ferruginous hawk.[5] The Mantario Wildlife Management Unit is also found within the hills.[6]
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the RM of Chesterfield No. 261 had a population of 419 living in 142 of its 171 total private dwellings, a change of -12.9% from its 2016 population of 481. With a land area of 1,962.21 km2 (757.61 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.2/km2 (0.6/sq mi) in 2021.[9]
In the 2016 Census of Population, the RM of Chesterfield No. 261 recorded a population of 481 living in 147 of its 165 total private dwellings, a 0.2% change from its 2011 population of 480. With a land area of 1,943.29 km2 (750.31 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.2/km2 (0.6/sq mi) in 2016.[4]
The RM of Chesterfield No. 261 is governed by an elected municipal council and an appointed administrator that meets on the second Tuesday of every month.[3] The reeve of the RM is Karrie Derouin while its administrator is Tosha McCubbing.[3] The RM's office is located in Eatonia.[3]
