Springfield, Man, Rural Municipality, pop 12 602 (2001c), 12 162 (1996c), 11 102 (1991c), 9836 (1986c), area 1103.34 km2, was formed when Springfield and Sunnyside (Dugald) jointly incorporated 1873. It covers 105 866 ha immediately E of Winnipeg, with Birds Hill Provincial Park in the NW, and Agassiz and Sandilands provincial forests to the E. Its largest communities are the villages of Oakbank, Dugald and Anola. The municipality is governed by a reeve and 6 councillors.
Large-scale settlement by Ontario, British and American farmers occurred in the area in the early 1870s. Subsequent settlers included French Canadians, German, Ukrainian, Polish, Belgian and Danish immigrants, and more recently Hutterites. Mixed farming and gravel extraction have dominated Springfield's economy. Since the 1960s the area has experienced migration from Winnipeg of families wishing to combine urban employment with a country life-style.