Least-populated U.S. cities, listed from least to most populated.
Least-populated U.S. cities appear first in this complete list of all 19,483 included city/place records (U.S. Census Bureau PEP). The table runs from the lowest July 2025 population estimate to the highest, keeps official zero-population estimates, and identifies the smallest places with at least one estimated resident.
SourceU.S. Census · PEP
VintageV2025
Reference2025-07-01
GeographyIncorporated places + 8 consolidated cities + DC
Coverage51 states + DC · 19,483 cities total
Last build2026-09-23
Direct answer
What are the least-populated places in the Census city file?
4 included places have a Census Vintage 2025 estimate of 0 residents; Carbonate, CO; Corning, MO; Mule Barn, OK; South Park View, KY appear first alphabetically among them.
Excluding zero-population estimates, the lowest resident count in the current file is 1; the first examples are Hillsview, SD; Monowi, NE; Warm River, ID.
Filter this least-populated ranking
19,483 rows available
The 19483 least-populated included U.S. city/place records by Census Vintage 2025 population estimate.
Showing 19483 of 19,483 included city/place records. Rank #1 means lowest 2025 population estimate; the Census pop rank column shows the same row's national rank when sorted largest-to-smallest.
Methodology · why zero appears
The page follows the Census estimate file, not a hand-picked trivia list.
Census Vintage V2025 includes a small number of incorporated places with a 2025 estimate of zero residents. Those rows are kept in the ranking because the site publishes the official city/place universe rather than silently removing edge cases.
If your question is the smallest place with at least one estimated resident, use the table's maximum-population filter or the direct answer above. The universe still excludes most Census-designated places, minor civil divisions, unincorporated county areas, and county-balance geographies.
