Living in a big city, you can miss out on the best part of small town living – the fact that everyone knows your name. In a small town, you will be greeted by name as you check out at the grocery store, or as you’re out walking your dog, or making a deposit at the bank. It’s a comforting experience, and one of the best parts of living in a small town. If you’re from one of these tiny towns in Iowa, you probably know exactly how that feels.

Note: We used the website City-Data.com to research small Iowa towns. Each town included on our list has less than 2,000 residents.

1. Stuart
Jasperdo/Flickr
Their motto is, "Home to 1600 good eggs and a few stinkers." Popular hangouts in this tiny town include Stuart Bowl and Foxy's Den Restaurant. Population - 1,624
2. Paullina
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Henry and D. Edward Paullin offered up their land to the Toledo and Northwestern Railroad free of charge with the condition that the area surrounding the tracks be named after them. Population - 1,034
3. Alta
Tom McLaughlin/Flickr
Alta is another Iowa town settled around the railroad. Residents often head to Scooter's Bar & Grill to catch up with their neighbors. Population - 1,945
4. Northwood
PROJimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The county seat of Worth County, the city may be small but the downtown area is full of charm. In addition to shopping and dining, you'll find a theater, town pool and casino nearby. Population - 1,977
5. Columbus Junction
Wikimedia Commons
This unique little town located at the junction of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers hosts an annual Swinging Bridge festival. Population - 1,879

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6. Guttenberg
Michaela Kendall
This town was originally named Prairie La Porte, meaning "the door to the prairie" in French. Its current name comes from Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of movable type. Population - 1,873
7. Monroe
Wikimedia Commons
A local favorite in this Jasper County neighborhood is the Mustang Diner. Population - 1,820
8. Parkersburg
Wikimedia Commons
Though Parkersburg was named for its first postmaster, it coincidentally also has several great parks - Miracle Park, Schwartz Memorial Park, and The Depot Park. Population - 1,929
9. Pocahontas
Wikimedia Commons
This city was named after the famous Native American princess from Jamestown, Virginia. The local schools are highly rated and the cost of living is fairly low. Population - 1,744
10. Greenfield
Wikimedia Commons
Greenfield is home to four entries on the National Register of Historic Places - the E. E. Warren Opera House, the Adair County Courthouse, the Adair County Democrat/Adair County Free Press building, and Hotel Greenfield. Population - 1,930

The best kind of small town is the one where everyone your name, and you know everyone’s name. What are some more towns like this in Iowa?

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