Ever wondered where you can find the smallest slice of Americana, a place where everyone knows your name and the pace of life slows to a gentle stroll?
Here are some of America’s tiniest towns, boroughs, and villages, some incorporated and unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs), with populations so small they might surprise you. These communities may be small, but their character are larger than life.
1. Alabama: McMullen
Population: 10
This unincorporated community in Pickens County is found in the rural foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Founded in the 1800s as a crossroads settlement, McMullen has a rich history rooted in the rural ways of life.
2. Alaska: Kupreanof
Population: 27
Located on an island of the same name in the Petersburg Borough, Kupreanof is an isolated fishing village with a rich Russian history. Kupreanof dates back to its founding by Russian settlers in the late 1800s. Today, the community is mostly Tlingit and Russian Old Believers.
3. Arizona: Tusayan
Population: 558
While not as tiny as some, Tusayan in Coconino County serves as the gateway to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and offers a unique desert experience.
4. Arkansas: Magnet Cove
Population: 5
Magnet Cove, Arkansas is a tiny unincorporated community hidden in the rugged hills of Hot Spring County. The town is best known for its mineral deposit called Magnet Cove Barrens that draws in rockhounds from far and wide.
5. California: Little Grass Valley
Population: 2
Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Plumas County, this tiny enclave offers a breathtaking view of the Plumas National Forest. Despite its isolation, Little Grass Valley exudes a sense of peace and tranquility that only true solitude can provide.
6. Colorado: Lakeside
Population: 17
This Statutory Town in Jefferson County is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Lakeside boasts beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.
7. Connecticut: Fenwick
Population: 43
Tucked away in picturesque Old Saybrook, this borough in Middlesex County is a charming seaside village that packs a lot of history in its tiny boundaries. This was the summer home and sanctuary of legendary actress Katharine Hepburn.
8. Delaware: Hartly
Population: 74
Hartly is a small, rural town in Kent County, with a rich agricultural history and a focus on community events. Residents enjoy a close-knit community and the town’s rural charm.
9. Florida: Lake Buena Vista
Population: 23
Famous as the home of Walt Disney World Resort, this city in Orange County is a census-designated place with a small permanent population.
10. Georgia: Santa Claus
Population: 165
This festive town located in Toombs County embraces its name with Christmas-themed attractions and a year-round spirit of holiday cheer.
11. Hawaii: Manele
Population: 29
Nestled on the sunny island of Lanai, this CDP in Maui County is as beautiful as its name. It’s tucked away between the gorgeous Maulee Bay and Hulopoe Bay.
12. Idaho: Warm River
Population: 3
This tiny city in Fremont County sits on the banks of the Warm River, offering a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and anglers.
13. Illinois: Valley City
Population: 13
This small village in Pike County is located in the western part of Illinois. Founded in the late 1800s as a stop on the railroad, the village has a few homes, a volunteer fire department, and a small post office.
14. Indiana: River Forest
Population: 22
This town in Anderson Township, Madison County offers a slice of Midwestern charm that’s hard to resist. You can tour the entire town in a matter of minutes, but you’ll find yourself drawn to its laid-back atmosphere, friendly neighbors, and beautiful parks.
15. Iowa: Beaconsfield
Population: 15
This city in Ringgold County has a strong sense of community, with everyone pitching in to help their neighbors and support local businesses. It focuses on agriculture, with nearby farms producing corn, soybeans, and livestock.
16. Kansas: Mildred
Population: 28
This small agricultural unincorporated community in Allen County is known for its friendly atmosphere and rich history. Founded in the late 1800s as a railroad stop, Mildred has a rich agricultural heritage that’s still evident today.
17. Kentucky: South Park View
Population: 0
Once a bustling community, this home rule-class city in Jefferson County became increasingly quiet when the nearby Louisville International Airport’s noise caused residents to relocate. Despite its dwindling population, South Park View remains a charming place.
18. Louisiana: Belmont
Population: 19
This small unincorporated community and CDP in Sabine Parish offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
19. Maine: Frenchboro
Population: 29
This town in Hancock County on Long Island, Maine is a remote fishing community that benefit from its eight miles of rough seas and shoreline.
20. Maryland: Port Tobacco Village
Population: 21
Founded by English settlers in 1727, this tiny town in Charles County has endured wars, economic downturns, and even a change in its name (from Port Tobacco to Port Tobacco Village in 1888).
21. Massachusetts: Popponesset Island
Population: 26
This island and CDP is situated in the town of Mashpee, Barnstable County. Visitors flock to Popponesset for its serene beaches and stunning views, often lingering well after the sun sets to soak in the serenity of this little island paradise.
22. Michigan: Pilgrim
Population: 11
This tiny unincorporated community and CDP in Benzie County is located on the picturesque Portage Lake. Visitors to Pilgrim can spend their days fishing, hiking, or simply relaxing in nature. And when the sun sets over Lake Superior, the peace and quiet of Pilgrim make for an unforgettable experience.
23. Minnesota: Funkley
Population: 12
This tiny city in Beltrami County is located in the northern part of Minnesota, offering a remote escape for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
24. Mississippi: Satartia
Population: 49
This small village is located in Yazoo County. Once a thriving port town and stopover for riverboat travelers in the 1800s, Satartia has since been bypassed by the hustle and bustle of modern life.
25. Missouri: Baker
Population: 3
An inactive incorporated village in Stoddard County, it has a simplicity and serene countryside setting, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet of small-town living.
26. Montana: Ismay
Population: 19
This remote town is nestled in Custer County, known for its wide-open spaces, clear skies, and stunning sunsets. The town is situated in the heart of Montana’s “Big Sky Country,” where the scenery is vast and the population is sparse.
27. Nebraska: Monowi
Population: 1
It is the smallest incorporated community in America located in Boyd County, with a population of one—Elsie Eiler, the town’s sole resident. She is also the mayor, the librarian, and the local bartender, all rolled into one. In 2004, Elsie’s husband, Rudy, passed away, leaving her the last remaining resident in Monowi.
28. Nevada: Gold Point
Population: 7
This historic mining town in Esmeralda County is now a ghost town turned tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into Nevada’s mining history.
29. New Hampshire: Hart’s Location
Population: 41
This small town in Carroll County is situated in the White Mountains, offering stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.
30. New Jersey: Tavistock
Population: 5
Nestled in the woods of southern New Jersey, this borough in Camden County was established in 1921. It was primarily a private residential community for wealthy families who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of nearby cities like Philadelphia.
31. New Mexico: Newkirk
Population: 7
This village in Guadalupe County is a small oasis in the desert along the historic Route 66. It’s a place where travelers stop to refuel both their cars and their souls. This tiny town features landmarks like the Dusty’s Route 66 General Store and El Rancho Hotel & Restaurant, where you can relive the glory days of the Mother Road.
32. New York: Dering Harbor
Population: 11
On the far end of Long Island Sound, this village in the Town of Shelter Island, in Suffolk County is a tiny, secluded beach town that’s just a stone’s throw from the legendary Hamptons. Dering Harbor offers a private paradise where you can enjoy quiet beaches, quaint streets, and plenty of peace and quiet.
33. North Carolina: Dellview
Population: 13
This unincorporated village in Mecklenburg County is a true slice of rural America. Nestled amongst the rolling hills and green pastures of North Carolina, Dellview offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
34. North Dakota: Perth
Population: 9
Perth is a vital part of Towner County’s agricultural heritage. The town was originally founded as a railroad stop in the early 1900s, and while the trains no longer stop here, the area’s rich farmland and friendly locals keep the community alive and well.
35. Ohio: Rendville
Population: 28
This village in Perry County was once a thriving African-American community and now serves as a reminder of Ohio’s industrial coal-mining past.
36. Oklahoma: Cardin
Population: 3
An unincorporated community in Ottawa County with a rich mining history. The community was founded in the early 1900s when coal and zinc deposits were discovered in the area. However, the mines eventually closed down, and Cardin’s population dwindled over time.
37. Oregon: Granite
Population: 38
An unincorporated community in Grant County, situated in a remote mountainous region. Despite its minute size, Granite boasts a history rich in mining and ranching. Its name is a direct reference to the surrounding rocky landscape and its once-lucrative granite quarries.
38. Pennsylvania: Centralia
Population: 5
Located in Columbia County, Centralia is a ghost town like no other. Once a bustling mining community with over 1,000 residents, this town is now nearly abandoned, thanks to an underground coal mine fire that started in 1962 and still burns today.
39. Rhode Island: Watch Hill
Population: 154
Watch Hill is a CDP seaside village located in the town of Westerly. Founded in the 17th century, it boasts a stunning coastline and is home to the iconic Flying Horse Carousel, America’s oldest operating carousel.
40. South Carolina: Smiley Face
Population: 45
An unincorporated community in Marlboro County, named for its location near a natural formation resembling a smiley face.
41. South Dakota: Hillsview
Population: 3
Located in McPherson County, it’s not every day you find a town that’s solely occupied by one family. The Hillsview Homestead is a secluded slice of paradise where the residents live in harmony with nature and each other.
42. Tennessee: Saulsbury
Population: 81
Nestled in the heart of rural West Tennessee, Saulsbury boasts a rich history and a tight-knit community spirit. Located in rural Hardeman County, you’ll find local eateries serving up Southern comfort food to the friendly faces that greet you at the corner store.
43. Texas: Guerra
Population: 6
This unincorporated community and CDP in Jim Hogg County is the definition of a “one-horse town”—except, in this case, there aren’t even any horses. Guerra is a speck on the map, located deep in the heart of Texas, near the Mexican border.
44. Utah: Bonanza
Population: 1
This CDP town is quite literally a solitary outpost in Eastern Utah. Located in Uintah County, Bonanza is a one-person town where the lone resident enjoys the solitude and quiet beauty of the Utah desert.
45. Vermont: East Montpelier
Population: 80
This small town in Washington County, with a population of just 80, is located in the rolling hills of Vermont’s Central Region, where the landscape is dotted with sugar maples, birches, and oaks.
46. Virginia: Mappsburg
Population: 51
Located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Mappsburg is a small, unincorporated community in Accomack County. Primarily residential with a few small businesses, it’s known for its quiet, rural atmosphere. Residents enjoy a close-knit community and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay.
47. Washington: Krupp (Also Known as Marlin)
Population: 49
Krupp, also known as Marlin, is an unincorporated community in Grant County, Washington. It’s a former mining town with a rich history. Today, it’s a very small, quiet community with a few remaining buildings.
48. West Virginia: Thurmond
Population: 5
Thurmond, located in Fayette County, West Virginia, holds the title of the smallest incorporated town in the state. It was once a bustling coal town but declined significantly with the industry. The town is now a National Park Service site, attracting visitors interested in its history.
49. Wisconsin: Stockholm
Population: 66
It is a village in Pepin County, known for its Swedish heritage and scenic beauty. While small, Stockholm has a few businesses and attractions, including an art gallery and a historical museum.
50. Wyoming: Lost Springs
Population: 4
Lost Springs is the smallest incorporated town in Converse County. It was once a coal mining town but dwindled as the industry declined. Today, it’s a ghost town with a few remaining buildings.
These least-populated places offer a glimpse into different aspects of American life. Some are quiet residential communities, while others have a rich history or unique character. Despite their small size, each town offers something special to its residents and visitors alike.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.