Two Saskatchewan villages that had some residents in 2006 are now down to zero, according to the 2011 census. However, residents in both communities dispute that finding. (Canadian Press)

Another tiny Saskatchewan community is taking issue with census results that show it has zero residents.

According to the 2011 census, details of which were released on Wednesday, the village of Keeler is completely empty, having lost the five residents it had in 2006.

But resident Duncan Keeler says it's nonsense to say that the village, located about 170 kilometres northwest of Regina, is now a ghost town.

"They're wrong," said Keeler, whose great-grandfather gave Keeler its name. "We do exist."

In its heyday, Keeler had 100 residents, a hotel, some stores and a couple of blacksmiths.

Today, Duncan Keeler can count the townsfolk on two hands — but he insists there are at least seven permanent residents and one part-timer who call Keeler home.

Keeler is northwest of Regina, while Atwater is northeast of the city. (Google Maps)

Keeler said he filled out his census form, but can't vouch for everybody else. It's possible a couple of local truckers were away at census time, he said. He also has a sneaking suspicion about another neighbour.

"One other one ... would have boycotted," he said. "He just doesn't like government, period."

Keeler says there are some empty houses in the area, but that doesn't mean the town is dead.

"We're down, but we're not out," he said.

Keeler is not the only Saskatchewan village that the census says has zero residents.

That same fate has befallen Atwater, about 230 kilometres northeast of Regina.

Atwater's fall was steeper than Keeler's — in 2006, it had 25 residents, according to the census.

However, like Keeler, at least one person in town is insisting the community still lives.

Sharon Gelowitz told CBC News that Atwater actually has about 31 residents who pay taxes and have a council.

Gelowitz said Census Canada's zero count for Atwater is clearly wrong and she wants to see it straightened out.