What is America's smallest city?

The smallest incorporated city in the U.S. is Monowi, Nebraska, with a population of just one person, Elsie Eiler, who also serves as its mayor, librarian, and treasurer. While sometimes confused with unincorporated areas or towns with very few people (like Lost Springs, Wyoming, population 4), Monowi holds the unique distinction of being a legally incorporated municipality with a single resident.


What is the smallest city in America?

The smallest incorporated city in America is Monowi, Nebraska, with a population of just one person, Elsie Eiler, who also serves as the town's mayor, librarian, and bartender, running the only business, the Monowi Tavern. While other small towns exist, Monowi is unique as the sole resident holds all municipal and business roles in the tiny community, attracting visitors from around the world.
 

Is Monowi, Nebraska still a town?

While not a recreation area, Monowi is a unique place in Nebraska -- a town of just one person! Monowi is an incorporated village in Boyd County. The U.S. census counts only one resident of the village, Elsie Eiler. In 2018, the village was featured in commercials for Arby's and Prudential.


What is the smallest major city in the US?

The smallest "major" city in the U.S. depends on definition, but Pittsburgh, PA, is often cited as the smallest city with major amenities (pro sports, large skyline) despite a smaller population (~300k), while Montpelier, VT is the smallest state capital (8k+), and tiny towns like Monowi, NE have just 1 person, showing how small "cities" get. 

What city has only one person?

The city with only one person is Monowi, Nebraska, home to Elsie Eiler, who serves as the mayor, clerk, treasurer, and bartender for the town's only business, the Monowi Tavern, keeping America's smallest incorporated town alive. After her husband Rudy passed, Elsie became the sole resident, managing town functions and collecting taxes from herself to provide services, even running a library and tavern for visitors.
 


THIS IS AMERICA'S SMALLEST TOWN (meet the ONLY resident)



What is the #1 best small city in America?

Best Small Cities to Live in America
  • Carmel, Ind. Carmel, Indiana, ranks as the best small city to live in, thanks to a combination of strong economic performance, health outcomes, and safety. ...
  • Brookfield, Wisc. Brookfield, Wisconsin, takes the second spot, driven by low unemployment and poverty levels. ...
  • Apex, N.C.


What is the largest city in the US not on water?

Indianapolis is considered the largest city in the United States that is not constructed on a navigable body of water.

Can you live in Monowi?

Yes, you can move to Monowi, Nebraska, but it's essentially a town of one, run by Elsie Eiler, who serves as mayor, bartender, and librarian, so you'd essentially be moving into a very small, unincorporated area with very few amenities beyond her tavern and library, existing mostly because she files paperwork to keep it official. While people visit for the novelty, finding a place to live might involve negotiating with Elsie for one of the few remaining structures or a property, with the town's future tied to her. 


Where's the cheapest place to live in Nebraska?

The cheapest places to live in Nebraska often include smaller cities and rural areas, with Alliance, Beatrice, Scottsbluff, and McCook frequently cited for low median home values and rent, while North Platte and Lexington offer high affordability scores; Thayer County is also noted for having the state's lowest cost of living, driven by very affordable housing. 

What is the oldest town in Nebraska?

The oldest town in Nebraska is Bellevue, established as a fur trading post by the Missouri Fur Company in 1822, making it the state's first permanent European-American settlement and oldest continuously inhabited city, with a history rooted in trade before Nebraska even became a territory.
 

What city has a population of 1?

The city with a population of 1 is Monowi, Nebraska, home to Elsie Eiler, who serves as its sole resident, mayor, bartender, librarian, and treasurer, running the town's only business, the Monowi Tavern, after her husband passed away.
 


Do people visit Monowi, Nebraska?

Monowi is not a ghost town because Elsie never allowed it to become one. She is the past and present of her village and the reason people from far away still drive down that lonely Nebraska road to visit a place where one woman has become an entire community.

What US city has the lowest population?

The least populated incorporated city in the U.S. is Monowi, Nebraska, with a population of just one person, Elsie Eiler, who serves as the town's sole resident, mayor, and official. Other extremely small towns include Thurmond, West Virginia (pop. 2) and Lost Springs, Wyoming (pop. 4). 

What is the #1 best city to live in America?

There's no single "number one" city, as it depends on what you value, but New York City often tops global lists for culture/vibrancy (World's Best Cities 2025), while Brookline, MA, and Washington, D.C. rank high for quality of life/livability by U.S. News & Real Estate and RentCafe, respectively, focusing on amenities, safety, and schools; other top contenders vary by criteria, with suburbs like Naperville, IL, and cities like Charleston, SC, leading for small-town feel or food scenes. 


Where is everyone moving to in 2025?

In 2025, Americans are primarily moving to ** Southern and Sun Belt states like Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee**, seeking lower costs of living, warmer climates, and job opportunities, while also showing interest in places with strong lifestyle and recreational appeal, with some international interest in locations like Luxembourg and Australia. Key drivers are affordability, better job prospects, and access to outdoor activities, with a general trend away from large, expensive coastal cities.
 

Which states are the cheapest to live in?

The cheapest states to live in consistently include West Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri, and Iowa, generally in the South and Midwest, due to low housing costs, groceries, and utilities, with West Virginia often ranking as the lowest overall, followed closely by the others with strong cost-of-living indexes. These states offer significantly lower expenses compared to the national average, making them ideal for budget-conscious living, though specific city/county costs vary.
 

What is America's prettiest city?

There's no single "most beautiful" city, as it's subjective, but Charleston, SC, frequently tops lists for historic charm, architecture, and Southern hospitality. Other top contenders include Seattle, praised for its natural setting with mountains and ocean, San Francisco, known for its iconic views, and New York City, celebrated for its vibrant, world-class atmosphere.
 


What is the safest small city in America?

The safest small cities in the U.S. frequently include Columbus, Indiana, known for low property crime; Zionsville, Indiana, with very low violent and property crime rates; and Wallingford, Connecticut, consistently appearing on top lists for safety, alongside towns like Saratoga Springs, Utah, Newton, Massachusetts, and Monroe Township, New Jersey, all featuring low crime metrics and high quality of life. Other top contenders often feature locations in the Northeast (NJ, CT, MA, NY) and certain areas in the Midwest and West. 

What is the richest small town in America?

GoBankingRates put together a list of the most affluent small towns in all 50 states. Towns with 500 to 1,500 households were considered eligible for the list. Medina, Washington, had the highest median household income and the highest average home value.

What city only has one person?

The city with only one person is Monowi, Nebraska, home to Elsie Eiler, who serves as the mayor, clerk, treasurer, and bartender for the town's only business, the Monowi Tavern, keeping America's smallest incorporated town alive. After her husband Rudy passed, Elsie became the sole resident, managing town functions and collecting taxes from herself to provide services, even running a library and tavern for visitors.
 


What is the only city without laws in the US?

Slab City is tucked away in the southeastern corner of California's Sonoran Desert, a mere 45 miles from the Mexican border. Sometimes referred to simply as The Slabs, it was named for the concrete slabs left behind from a forgone WWII military base (Camp Dunlap). It is not technically recognized as a town.

Which country has 3 cities?

South Africa is the only country in the world with three capital cities: Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein. Each city serves a unique purpose, with Cape Town as the legislative capital, Pretoria as the administrative capital, and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. #facts #didyouknow.