Inhabited incorporated places
The shortlist uses active incorporated places with an estimated population above zero, whether local law calls them a city, town, village or borough.
← All decision guidesTOP 5 · SMALLEST PLACES · UPDATED JULY 2026
5 least-populous inhabited U.S. places
Five inhabited incorporated places at the bottom of the Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 population estimates, with ties and local legal designations stated clearly.
YOUR CHECKLIST
What’s worth comparing first?
Your family, budget, and daily life come first. One great statewide number can’t make the whole decision for you.
One consistent vintage
Every figure comes from the Census Bureau’s SUB-EST2025 dataset and has a July 1, 2025 reference date.
Transparent ties
Places with the same estimate are tied; alphabetical order is used only to select five display entries, not to claim one tied place is smaller.
Estimate sensitivity
At this scale, one resident changes the population dramatically and annual estimates can differ from signs, local records or the decennial census.
A GOOD PLACE TO START
States and cities worth a closer look.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all ranking. We’ll show you what looks promising—and what you should double-check.
01SD
BEST FOR · one-resident incorporated-town research
Hillsview
South Dakota
Why investigate
The Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 dataset estimates Hillsview town at 1 resident, tying for the smallest inhabited active incorporated place.
Verify first
State cost profile →A one-person estimate is highly sensitive; verify current residency, municipal status, services, roads, utilities and emergency response locally.
02NE
BEST FOR · America’s best-known one-resident village
Monowi
Nebraska
Why investigate
The same official dataset estimates Monowi village at 1 resident, tied with Hillsview and Warm River.
Verify first
State cost profile →Do not treat a population estimate as a real-estate market: inventory, utilities, employment, medical access and municipal continuity require direct verification.
03ID
BEST FOR · one-resident incorporated-city research
Warm River
Idaho
Why investigate
Warm River city is also estimated at 1 resident, completing the three-way tie at the lowest positive population.
Verify first
State cost profile →Seasonal activity can differ from resident population; verify access, winter conditions, utilities, wildfire exposure and available housing.
04MO
BEST FOR · the three-resident cutoff tier
Friedenswald
Missouri
Why investigate
Friedenswald village is estimated at 3 residents. It is shown first within the four-way population-3 tie because ties are ordered alphabetically.
Verify first
State cost profile →Confirm whether the place functions like an ordinary housing market and check legal access, utilities, service coverage and property availability.
05NE
BEST FOR · a second three-resident incorporated village
Gross
Nebraska
Why investigate
Gross village is estimated at 3 residents and is the fifth alphabetical display entry after the three population-1 places.
Verify first
State cost profile →Tavistock, New Jersey and Lost Springs, Wyoming also have 3 and share this cutoff; the displayed order is not a statistical difference.
MAKE IT YOURS
Now turn the shortlist into your decision.
- Pick three exact cities.State averages are too broad.
- Build an after-tax budget.Add housing, care, transport, utilities and health.
- Verify eligibility and boundaries.Confirm directly with the agency or school.
- Visit like a resident.Test ordinary commutes and errands.
YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING
Let’s answer the big moving questions.
What is the least-populous inhabited place in the United States?
The Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 estimates show a three-way tie at 1 resident: Hillsview, South Dakota; Monowi, Nebraska; and Warm River, Idaho.
Why are zero-population incorporated places not ranked first?
Carbonate, Colorado; South Park View, Kentucky; Corning, Missouri; and Mule Barn, Oklahoma were estimated at 0. This page intentionally compares inhabited places with a positive estimate.
Why are Tavistock and Lost Springs not in the displayed five?
They are not larger in a meaningful ranking sense: both also have an estimate of 3. Alphabetical order breaks the four-way tie only to keep the widget to five entries.
Are all five legally called cities?
No. Census incorporated places can be legally designated as cities, towns, villages or boroughs under state law. “Place” is the accurate cross-state term.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Check the current data yourself.
Programs, laws and costs change. Follow the source before a financial or enrollment decision.