Fun fact: Camdem’s Village Green was designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. Why it’s a great small town: On any given day, you can see tangled-haired Appalachian hikers looking for supplies and respite in Luray. While these megacities contribute millions to the population, the country also has smaller but still very populated cities, including 388 that have populations exceeding 100,000, and a whopping 2,483 cities with populations of over 10,000. Why it's a great small town: Manatee lovers, rejoice! Instead, it offers the tranquility of the Raritan River, a Main Street full of boutiques and the striking Red Mill Museum Village. Why it's a great small town: Most visitors come to Gatlinburg to head into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited park in America. The town’s tourism scene revolves around this beloved stretch of wilderness, and there are plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants (serving Southern staples, naturally) to cater to the park-going throngs. America's small towns are packed with reasons to visit. Kansas City is one of the major cities in America where you can find rent for under $1,000. Here, it’s all about staying at a rustic bed and breakfast, forgetting to check the time and taking it slow. Just make sure you don’t schedule that visit for after a wine-tasting tour. During its earliest years, Greece was not a single country as it is today. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains and blessed with the expansive Whitefish Lake, sometimes it’s hard to believe this town is actually real. In some countries a population of a couple of thousand may be enough to qualify for city status. Why it’s a great small town: New Hampshire's rural towns with white-steepled churches, general stores filled with maple syrup and farmers' markets selling the produce of the seasons are a dime a dozen. Fall, when the mountains are set ablaze in reds, yellows and oranges, is especially lovely. The municipalities are governed under one of five different structures. Why it’s a great small town: This coastal town offers exciting water sports and delicious seafood dishes. Visitors spend their days water skiing, kayaking and sailing, and then treat themselves to the fresh catch of the day. On the contrary, its Victorian houses are just as glamorous as when they were built, while its more modern offerings include pedestrian-friendly shops and restaurants, as well as annual jazz and film festivals. September 19, 2017 | Last updated June 24, 2019. You can take the Space Needle to get great views without the physical strain, or ride the Sky Lift to Ober Gatlinburg, the town’s ski resort and amusement park. Since then, snow-sports enthusiasts have flocked here in even greater numbers to enjoy cross-country skiing, hockey, ice skating and even dog-sledding. Why it’s a great small town: Defined by the two rivers that surround it, Grand Rivers is all about water sports. Stowe has a variety of local breweries and numerous family-owned shops to pop into. Its historic downtown is at once part of the National Register of Historic Places and the site of progressive events like LGBTQ pride festivals, and it pairs beautifully preserved Victorian houses with innovative, modern street art. The town also hosts the country's oldest Memorial Day parade, where the streets are lined with red-, white- and blue-wearing participants honoring the fallen. Find a listing of U.S. cities with populations over 100,000, organized alphabetically by state. Fun fact: The 1886 E.L. Smith Building is the oldest in the city. That’s partially why it’s one of the best cities for those making less than $50,000. Why it’s a great small town: Skip overcrowded Miami and head to this well-kept local secret. For the national rankings, cities with a population under 50,000 are not considered. A city is displayed in bold if it is a state or federal capital, and in italics if it is the most populous city in the state. Burn off those calories by exploring Kauai’s impossibly dramatic landscapes, which have been featured in several movies, including “Jurassic Park.” Then make your way to a local beach for some sun-kissed R&R (this is Hawaii, after all). Why it’s a great small town: Sitting on the shores of Lake Superior, you can expect to see incredible landscapes in beautiful Grand Marais. California Coastal National Monument Gateway. From a Colorado mountain resort to a bayside beauty in Maine, keep these small towns — ranked from most to least populated — in mind the next time you want to go somewhere new, unexpected and totally charming. While America's larger cities are definitely worth a visit (or multiple), this list focuses on lesser-known towns with 10,000 residents or fewer. Why it's a great small town: This town in the Adirondacks was put on the world map when it hosted the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Fun fact: Hunter S. Thompson, the famed author of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” ran for county sheriff in 1970 as part of the “Freak Power” movement. McKinley in Denali National Park, the residents of Talkeetna get to gaze upon the United States' tallest mountain. When the wind chills and mountains become cloaked in snow, the town shines. The great outdoors always beacons with its varying and exciting landscapes. Not a fan of snow? Be sure to visit during the Florida Seafood Festival if you want to see the town come alive for its visitors. Why it’s a great small town: This Bavarian town rises unexpectedly within Washington’s Cascade Mountains. With its location along the Mississippi Central Railroad, the town suffered great damage during the Civil War, yet was proudly rebuilt. In addition to being one of the largest cities in the state, Montgomery is also Alabama’s state capital. The largest municipality by population and land area is Los Angeles with 3,792,621 residents and 468.67 square miles (1,213.8 km 2). But the best thing to do here is to disconnect, spending your hours walking on the shore and finishing all those books that have been piling up on your bed stand. Surrounded by the arid Arizona desert, this town attracts nature lovers with the canyons and giant rock formations of Red Rock State Park. This page features all the files containing Vintage 2019 city and town population totals. Why it’s a great small town: This 18th-century town has made a cozy home for itself at the foot of the majestic White Mountains. Of course, modern shopping is available in a tree-lined downtown. Fun fact: To protect its uniqueness, the town has banned national franchises from opening branches within its limits. But the town isn't just home to old-fashioned sweets; there are antique stores and Victorian homes aplenty lining the streets. But anyone who’s enjoyed a quiet afternoon swinging on a front porch or hiking up colorful mountains knows America’s small towns are, in their own way, just as appealing. Walk downtown to see typical Midwestern architecture, or stop at a cafe to admire the majestic Bighorn Mountains that adorn the town. Why it’s a great small town: Formerly a seaside destination for wealthy city dwellers, Watch Hill regained its popularity when Taylor Swift made a home purchase and put the secret vacation destination back on the map. Here, shrimp boats drag the brackish waters that meet with the Chattahoochee River. Like many Alaskan towns, Sitka is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and teeming with wildlife, including bears, whales and eagles. Another Japanese city, Osaka, also has a very large population of almost 20.5 million. Fun fact: The town has an annual festival to honor its elk. Why it's a great small town: If you’ve ever seen pictures of Glacier National Park, then you won’t need anyone to convince you that a visit to Whitefish, one of its main gateway towns, is worthwhile. — as well as Southern hospitality and gorgeous walks along the Mississippi River. Fun fact: You cannot reach Unalaska by land, only by plane or boat. Fun fact: The town was the first in the world to boast electric streetlights. The population of Twin Falls reached a milestone in 2019 — growing above 50,000 becoming the eighth Idaho city with a population above 50,000. Why it’s a great small town: For those descending upon South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore, take the extra trip to visit the nearby town of Keystone. The historic district is dotted with red brick buildings, set against the backdrop of the sweeping San Juan Mountains. As the oldest town in all of Missouri, it touts an interesting historical museum and houses dating back 200 years. The smallest municipality in the state, McMullen has a population of just 10 people. Dominated by the Columbia River Gorge, you have free reign to engage in a number of outdoor activities that include hiking, paddle boarding, skiing and mountain biking. Contents: Cities, Towns & Places. Why it’s a great small town: For those who head to the Badlands of North Dakota, the tiny town of Medora wants to welcome you. Fun fact: The entire town of Wallace is on the National Historic Register. Why it’s a great small town: Thousands fill the small town of Mystic every summer, as its waterfront location lends itself to its long maritime past. Martha Jane Cannary Burke, the iconic American frontierswoman better known by her nickname, “Calamity Jane.”. There were 19,502 incorporated places registered in the United States as of July 31, 2019. Water activities are popular, as is hiking, but the town also offers urban recreation. Fun fact: The town appears in “Ghosts of Mississippi,” featuring Alec Baldwin and Whoopi Goldberg. Fun fact: Silverton is 9,318 feet above sea level. Cedar Park was the fastest growing city in the state between 2010 and 2017. Compellingly, it also features monuments, like the formidable Orthodox Cathedral, that nod to its past life as part of Russia. Why it’s a great small town: This is such a small town to be filled with so much history! Expect to find excellent cuisine — this is Louisiana after all! Why it’s a great small town: Found where the Atlantic Ocean joins the Delaware Bay is Lewes, which offers plenty of beaches, water activities and seafood in its charming restaurants. Once you’ve had your time in the sand, try local wines at Fenn Valley Tasting Room. You'll catch the performance from June through September and learn why the town is the state's top vacation destination. MAY 21, 2020 — Since 2010, populations in cities in the southern and western regions of the United States experienced rapid growth. Fun fact: The town is where Jim Thorpe, the first Native American to win a gold medal for the U.S., is buried — hence its memorable name. It's also been rated as the worst city in the US for having an active lifestyle . Why it's a great small town: With a population of fewer than 1,000 people, Ocracoke is the place to go when you want a quiet summer vacation. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. Sedona, Arizona. Fun fact: Mancos has several Ancient Puebloan archaeological sites. Fun fact: Every year, Garrison hosts a Dickens Village Festival that transports participants to late 19th-century England. Of course, spending a day at the shore of the lake with a picnic and a book is a must-do when the weather allows for it. The majority of Indiana’s cities are designated as third-class and have a city council and clerk-treasurer as part of their government. Though it’s mostly known for its world-class skiing, there are also plenty of other attractions, including microbreweries, lake paddling, fine-dining and hiking. Looking to explore the town instead? Why it's a great small town: Ketchum is one of just a few places in the U.S. that can legitimately claim winter as the best season to visit. As its name suggests, the town is lined with majestic magnolia trees and is surrounded by natural springs. Fun fact: The Moon Pie, made with marshmallow, graham crackers and chocolate, was first made in 1917. 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