Monowi

Nebraska's ghost towns are railroad and homestead towns, spaced every few miles along lines the trains don't run anymore.

Monowi (, MON-oh-wye) is the least populous incorporated village in the United States by having a population of one. It is in Boyd County, Nebraska, United States, and received national and international attention after the 2010 United States census recorded only one resident in the village, Elsie Eiler, who serves as its mayor, librarian, clerk, and treasurer. According to the 2020 census, Monowi had a population of 2. This was later confirmed to be an example of differential privacy in the census data; Eiler remains the town's sole resident.

The on-the-ground condition of Monowi is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Monowi is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Monowi is roughly 42.8308, -98.3294 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.