Here Are The Tiniest Towns In All 50 States
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Sophia
Author
The spirit of community and neighborly kindness that you get in American small towns just can’t be rivaled. As the years go by, it’s getting harder and harder to find truly close-knit communities that embody that feeling of togetherness and old-fashioned hospitality. These teeny tiny towns may have populations near or below 1,000 people, but they have plenty of heart to go around. Here are some of the smallest towns in the U.S.
With an incorporation date of November 16, 1818, this town is actually older than the state of Alabama. Mooresville has a population of under 100 people and only 48 post office boxes. Some families have had the same box for several generations.
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This tiny town of 87 residents is nestled right on the Canadian border. In fact, Hyder uses Canadian currency and runs on B.C. time. The only connection between Hyder and the rest of Alaska is a twice-weekly mail float. Hyder gets its electricity from a Canadian utility provider, uses a Canadian postal code, and Hyder's students attend school in Canada.
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This town of 128 people is a must-see Arizona destination. Wild burros (small donkeys) roam the streets, and the Oatman Hotel once hosted movie stars such as Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. This small town has a true Old West vibe.
Located in Searcy County, Gilbert is home to only 28 people. It actually isn't the smallest town in Arkansas (that honor belongs to Magnet Cove with its population of five people), but it is known for being one of the coldest spots in the state.
This resort area is well past its golden days, but photographers and explorers still flock to Bombay Beach's shore. With a population of 295, this town was once a thriving coastal destination until rising salt levels drove business elsewhere.
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This tiny town is appropriately named "The Wildflower Capital of Colorado." Besides the gorgeous springtime blooms, this former mining town is loaded with history and friendly residents.
Union is a town of 693 living residents, and possible a few ghostly ones as well. The town graveyard is supposedly haunted by a number of spirits and draws a modest amount of ghost tourism. Union is also home to "Traveler Food and Books," a restaurant that gives patrons free books with their meals.
Located on the shore of the Broadkill River, Milton has around 200 buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places. However, this tiny place might be better known for being the home of Dogfish Head Brewing company. And downtown is just seven miles from the Delaware Bay!
Located on Amelia Island, this cozy town is a true hidden paradise. White sands, incredible wildlife, quirky local businesses and historic buildings make this coastal town one of the best towns to visit in the U.S. for a weekend adventure.
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With just under 1,000 permanent residents, this small town actually swells in population during the summer months due to its gorgeous natural scenery and proximity to some of the most scenic spots in the Appalachian Mountain range.
This place is pretty tiny – there are only 470 year-round residents – but given Hanalei's stunning natural assets, the secret is bound to get out eventually. Located on Kauai, Hanalei is surrounded by lush mountains and has some of the most gorgeous white sand beaches on the whole island. Check out the Napali Café for some breakfast, lunch, or coffee with a tropical view.
Priest River experienced a strong boom in the early 1900s due to a thriving lumber trade, but has since become a quiet small town with a beautiful waterfront promenade and an annual "Timber Days" logging festival.
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The teensy town of Belknap may only have around 100 residents, but it is home to one of the most striking collection of bald cypress trees to be found anywhere. Rising up out of Heron Pond, some of the trees are almost 1,000 years old.
The biggest draw in this town of 800 residents is definitely the Marengo Cave system. It's a National Natural Landmark and draws thousands of visitors each year. Camping out near the caves is a popular activity. If you're looking to spend some time in town, you can't go wrong by grabbing a slice at Papeno's Pizza.
Nicknamed "Luxembourg in America," this tiny community only has a population of 135, but it is one of the most charming towns in the U.S. Grab a delicious Kraut sausage from Kalmes Restaurant and tour the beautiful Pieta Chapel.
Nestled in the Flint Hills, Cottonwood definitely puts community spirit first. This is a scenic, walkable small town – there are plenty of river walks, nearby hiking trails, and wildlife watching spots.
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Sparta may be home to only 262 people, but it can claim the famous Kentucky Speedway as its own. If you like fast cars, this is the tiny town for you.
Perched on the edge of Kisatchie National Forest, this sleepy town is a great spot for getting away from it all. The locals are still proud of Coushatta's connections to the famous Louisiana Meat Pie Company.
Located in Frederick County, this town is known as the antiques capital of Maryland. The population hovers around 700, so you're bound to see a few familiar faces around town even if you only visit for a weekend. Check out the "Christmas In New Market" festival, where the town celebrates the yuletide traditions of the past two centuries.
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Located in Knox County on one of the Fox Islands, this town has a population that just breaks the 1,000 people mark. It's accessible only by ferry, which keeps this scenic coastal settlement pretty quiet, especially during the winter months. When in town, be sure to check out the guided beautiful nature walks through Lane's Island Preserve.
Located on Nantucket island, the town of Chilmark only has 866 permanent residents. Must-see spots include the gorgeously colored clay cliffs of Chilmark Beach, as well as the classic American general store, Meneshma Market.
Port Austin is home to around 650 people, and one of the coolest natural rock formations in Michigan. Turnip Rock is definitely a must-see, but this tiny town also plays host to one of the largest farmers market in the state.
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This is Laura Ingalls Wilder's hometown! The inspiration for the famous author's "Little House on the Prairie" books is as picturesque as you might imagine.
The population of Shuqualak was 562 at the last census. Most of the buildings in the downtown area are on the National Register of Historic Places. Shuqualak is also home to plenty of agricultural beauty and farm-to-table food options.
This teeny town is home to only 164 people, but recent efforts to renovate historic business has left its downtown looking picture perfect. Check out the remodeled Iron Horse Hotel and Restaurant, and the town's quirky Mid-Missouri Museum of Independent Telephone Pioneers.
With only 315 year-round residents, Augusta packs a lot of personality into a tiny Old West package. Known as the "Last Original Cow Town in the West", this tiny community is full of farmers, nature-lovers, and friendly folks.
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With a population under 300, Long Pine is one of Nebraska's hidden gems. It's home to Hidden Paradise Resort, which was a popular retreat in the 1880s and is now experiencing a bit of a revival. Go visit before the crowds show up!
Home to 200 people and three beautiful 19th century churches, this small town is known for the high-quality turquoise that is mined locally.
This cozy town is almost too scenic to bear. Located in Grafton County, Easton sits at the foot of Kinsman Mountain and overlooks both the Wild Ammonoosuc and Gale rivers. There's certainly enough beauty in Easton to share amongst its 254 residents.
With only 16 residents, there certainly aren't any strangers in Walpack. The town was actually abandoned in the 1960s due to a planned dam project, but has since been named one of the best places to live in New Jersey.
Hot springs, gorgeous red rock cliffs, and a population of only 250 people makes Jemez Springs a great vacation spot. Visitors can also explore the ruins of a 500-year-old Native American village.
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Despite having a population of only 589 residents, this teeny community is actually fairly well-known. It hosts the state's 3rd oldest fair, and many New Yorkers have fond memories of visiting this town as a child.
Just 40 miles from Asheville lies Saluda. This town of 500 people is filled with family-run businesses that have been operating for generations, as well as a historic train station with an authentic 19th century caboose. The local countryside also offers some incredible hiking trails.
This town of 76 people is known as the Village of Murals. As you might expect, there are brightly colored murals almost everywhere you look. Many of them celebrate the history of Jud. Visitors will definitely want to pack a camera.
There are plenty of cool small towns in Ohio, but the coolest would definitely have to be Coolville. One particularly cool attraction is the town's tiny church, which happens to be the smallest and coolest church in the entire state. It fits just four cool little pews. The 496 cool residents of Coolville agree that it's an objectively cool place to live and visit.
This small resort town has 415 residents. Highlights include a 59,020-acre wildlife refuge with plenty of buffalo, elk and deer, as well as gorgeous cobblestone streets and great eclectic shopping options.
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The town of Joseph has just about 1,000 residents, though that number goes up if you count the beautiful bronze statues scattered throughout town. Joseph is also home to the fascinating Valley Bronze Gallery and cozy Bronze Antler B&B.
Marklesburg has a population of 204, and an incredibly high number of buildings that date between 1845 and 1870. For such a tiny town, this spot has a wealth of architectural gems.
New Shoreham is located on the popular island destination, Block Island. It is actually Rhode Island's smallest municipality at just over 1,000 residents. Beaches, restaurants and a cozy community of locals make New Shoreham a delight year-round.
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This small fishing town only has 525 people and less than 2.5 square miles of land, but it's incredibly charming nonetheless. Over 62% of people living here have a college degree, and a quarter of residents have at least a master's degree. McClellanville's Fourth of July celebration is also one of the best and brightest around.
With a population of only three people, most people in South Dakota don't even know that Hillsview exists. The town was named for its elevation, which is 1,850 feet above sea level. The area is noted for its great sunsets, which might have something to do with the town's elevation.
Just outside of Nashville, Leiper’s Fork is a super charming small town with a buckets of old-fashioned appeal. The town is notable for its dense firefly displays, great BBQ, and the original Dukes of Hazzard police car.
You know how everything's supposed to be bigger in Texas? Luckenbach didn't get the memo. This town is home to three permanent residents and a pretty awesome looking post office. The whole town was actually purchased by a Texas folklorist for $30,000 in 1970. Why? He wanted the local dance hall to stay open later.
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The Browning Arms Company was founded in this sleepy rural town. As you might guess from the gorgeous natural scenery, Morgan is a great spot for outdoor adventuring.
The "line" part of Derby Line is actually a big deal. This place sits right on the Canadian border, and the boundary actually runs right through town. The border cuts through buildings and streets, and in some places, town residents have to report to a customs check-point if they do something as simple as cross the street to park their car or retrieve a stray ball.
A visit to Winthrop feels like a trip to the past. A slightly hokey yet adorably charming, wild western past. The 415 residents of Winthrop keep the town looking snazzy with wooden boardwalks and western-themed storefronts. Visitors can grab drinks at Three Fingered Jack's Saloon, the oldest saloon in the state.
221 residents and a whole lot of horsing around. The Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase horse race is held here every year and brings over 50,000 visitors to The Plains each May.
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Clay has 486 residents and amazing views of Elk River. The town hosts an annual Golden Delicious Apple Festival that draws visitors from miles around.
This river community of 800 people may not look like much, but it draws hundreds of endangered American bald eagles every season. This is also a great town for a solid calf workout: 13 of the roads in Alma are actually stair step streets.
Riverside is known as the coldest spot in Wyoming; it has the lowest average temperature in the state. With only 62 residents, the chilly temps may just be due to a lack of body heat.
Have you been to some of the smallest towns in the U.S.? What’s your favorite tiny town in your state?
If you are interested in learning about some of the most remote towns in the country, read all about The 15 Most Secluded Towns In The U.S.
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More to Explore
Smallest Towns In The U.S.
What are the most charming towns in the U.S.?
Smalltown America can be quite charming and usually filled with gorgeous countryside, a quaint downtown, and a community feel where everyone knows each other. These towns can be quite enchanting and visiting one can provide a nice break for those of us who live in a city. Some of the most charming towns in the U.S. are Stowe in Vermont, Carmel in California, Hilo in Hawaii, Alton in Illinois, Park Rapids in Minnesota, and Hannibal in Missouri.
What towns in the U.S. have the lowest populations?
With a country as large as the United States, there are bound to be some towns with only a handful of residents. Take for example McMully in Alabama which has only seven residents. Then there’s Fulford in Colorado with two residents, Fenwick in Connecticut has 64, Menele in Hawaii has 29, Beaconsfield in Iowa has just 18 people, and there are thousands more towns like these around the U.S.
What are the best towns to live in the U.S.?
Living in the U.S., we certainly have our pick of places to live. From big to small cities, large to small towns, quaint villages, and remote locales, we may choose to live somewhere that gives the quality of life we are looking for. And sometimes the best quality of life can be found in towns where the pace of life is a little slower, where we can take the time to stop and smell the roses (and fresh air). Hadley, Massachusetts is one such town in New England with a population of 5,000 people and plenty of gorgeous farmland. Other slower-paced towns with open space and smaller populations are Stevensville in Montana, Murphys in California, Front Royal in Virginia, Pecos in Texas, Essex in Connecticut, and Ionia in Michigan.
Featured Addresses
Mooresville, AL 35649, USA
Hyder, AK, USA
Oatman, AZ 86433, USA
Gilbert, AR, USA
Bombay Beach, CA 92257, USA
Crested Butte, CO 81224, USA
Union, CT, USA
Milton, DE, USA
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA
Blue Ridge, GA 30513, USA
Hanalei, HI, USA
Priest River, ID 83856, USA
Belknap, IL 62908, USA
Marengo, IN 47140, USA
Saint Donatus, St Donatus, IA, USA
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845, USA
Sparta, KY 41086, USA
Coushatta, LA 71019, USA
New Market, MD 21774, USA
Vinalhaven, ME, USA
Chilmark, MA, USA
Port Austin, MI 48467, USA
Walnut Grove, MN 56180, USA
Shuqualak, MS 39361, USA
Blackwater, MO 65322, USA
Augusta, MT 59410, USA
Long Pine, NE 69217, USA
Austin, NV 89310, USA
Easton, NH, USA
Walpack Township, NJ, USA
Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA
Schaghticoke, NY 12154, USA
Saluda, NC 28773, USA
Jud, ND 58454, USA
Coolville, OH 45723, USA
Medicine Park, OK, USA
Joseph, OR 97846, USA
Marklesburg, PA 16657, USA
New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA
McClellanville, SC 29458, USA
Hillsview, SD 57437, USA
Leipers Fork, TN 37064, USA
Luckenbach, TX 78624, USA
Morgan, UT 84050, USA
Derby Line, Derby, VT, USA
The Plains, VA, USA
Winthrop, WA 98862, USA
Clay, WV, USA
Alma, WI 54610, USA
Riverside, WY 82325, USA