America’s Smallest Town Has a Mayor, a Librarian, and 100% Voter Turnout (It’s One Lady)

Have you ever sat through a three-hour city council meeting listening to people argue over fence heights? If so, pack your bags for Monowi, Nebraska, where local government moves at the absolute speed of light.

Monowi is officially the only incorporated municipality in the United States with a population of exactly one. That single resident is Elsie Eiler, a wonderfully hardworking woman who handles every single municipal duty herself: mayor, clerk, treasurer, librarian, and tavern owner.

The Most Efficient City Council in America

Democracy in Monowi isn't just alive; it hits 100% voter turnout every single election. The official 2010 and 2020 U.S. Census records both confirmed what locals already knew: Elsie is the sole inhabitant of the entire town.

Because Monowi is an officially incorporated town, it requires legal governance. So each year, Elsie posts a notice for mayoral elections and votes for herself. There are no mudslinging campaigns, no heated debates, and definitely no filibusters.

To keep the lights on—literally—Mayor Elsie files an annual road plan with the state to secure funding for Monowi’s four municipal streetlights. She pays property taxes to herself to keep the city incorporated. And when the Monowi Tavern needs its annual liquor license renewed? Governing Board Elsie reviews Mayor Elsie’s application, signs off on it, and grants the approval.

A Library Built on Love

Beyond running the municipal engine, Elsie manages two local landmarks. One is the Monowi Tavern, which serves as a cozy refueling spot for passing truckers, neighboring farmers, and curious travelers from around the world.

The other is the Rudy Library, a charming public facility built in memory of her late husband, Rudy. A passionate reader, Rudy always wanted his vast collection shared with the world. Today, the library houses roughly 5,000 books that visitors are welcome to explore.

The Otterly Interesting Part

While major metropolises struggle with endless red tape, Monowi has achieved political harmony. When your entire city council fits around a single kitchen table, public consensus is always guaranteed, and municipal approval takes about five seconds.

Would you ever want to run your own tiny municipality, or is managing a town of one a bit too much responsibility?

Keep exploring

• Meet Dax, the Cool Little Robot Taking the Heat Off City Surveying Crews
• The Accidental Island of Illinois That Belongs Entirely to a 2001 Volvo
• Why Wombats Poop Cubes (And Refuse to Let Their Property Values Roll Away)
• Take an Otter quiz