There are a lot of charming small towns in North Dakota. A lot of them are tight-knit communities where most people know each other and family names become part of the vernacular. The following itty bitty towns, however, are places where every single person definitely knows your name. These are the 15 tiniest towns in North Dakota where you and your neighbors would get to know each other very well because there’s not a whole lot of people to know.

15. Ayr
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This little town would definitely be one where everyone knows you because the population is only 17. It is located in Cass County and was founded in 1883. At its peak population, it was at just over 100 residents. Like most small towns in North Dakota, it has grain elevators and storage next to the railroad line that was built through it.
14. Gascoyne
Andrew Filer/Flickr
The original name for this town was Fischbein, however, this name was only around for about a year after its founding. A member of the railroad that was being built through the town decided to rename it to Gascoyne due to the lignite coal found in the area. The population is just 16 people and has never exceeded 100 in all of its history.
13. Leith
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This town was featured on national headlines for a while in 2012 due to the fact that someone was attempting to buy up all the land and drive people out to create a white nationalist community. That person has since left Leith due to protests against them as well as jail time and sold all of their land back to the city. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16.
12. Bantry
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This small McHenry County town was founded in 1905 and was fairly well populated until the 1950s. After that, the population declined to its current number of just 15 residents.
11. Hannah
Andrew Filer/Flickr
With a population of 15, Hannah comes in at 11th on the list. The name is not the girl's name you should focus on when referring to this town, however. A girl named Ethel Catherwood was born in Hannah. She was the first woman ever to win a gold medal in the high jump for the Olympics. She participated in the 1928 Summer Olympics, held in Amsterdam, which was the first one to ever allow women athletes. Catherwood brought home the gold for Canada, the country which she was representing. The town is only a few miles from the Canadian border.
10. Kief
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Just 14 residents live in Kief, a town named by the Ukrainian settlers after the city Kiev in Ukraine. It lies in McHenry County and is part of the Minot Micropolitan Statistical Area.
9. Venturia
Andrew Filer/Flickr
At 13 residents, Venturia is the 9th smallest town in North Dakota. It was founded 115 years ago in McIntosh County. At peak population, there were over 250 residents.

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8. Churchs Ferry
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This town used to be much larger, but Devils Lake swallowed most of it up. Over 400 homes had to be relocated or were destroyed due to the rising waters of the lake. The remaining 12 residents are still in danger from the lake but voted to remain an incorporated town in 2012.
7. Hansboro
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Hansboro also has a population of 12, but the name isn't after any company. It was named for a former North Dakota Legislature, Henry C. Hansbrough. It began as a railroad town in 1905.
6. Pillsbury
Andrew Filer/Flickr
The name might make you think of a certain mascot for some biscuits, and maybe that is what it was named after. The town was founded almost 40 years after the Pillsbury Company was in Minneapolis. This Pillsbury, however, was founded in Barnes County, North Dakota. The reported population is 12.
5. Loraine
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This pocket sized town also has a population of nine. Located in Renville County, Loraine is just a few miles from the Canadian border. It has always been fairly small and the population has never exceeded 100.
4. Perth
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Perth held nine residents as of the 2010 census. The census taken in 1910 boasted over 200 hundred residents, but that number steadily declined over the years. During its heyday, Perth had its own newspaper, but it only ran for around six years.
3. Bergen
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Tying in second for smallest towns with Grano is Bergen, which also has seven residents. The town is located in McHenry County, and it's not too far from Minot.
2. Grano
Andrew Filer/Flickr
This little town has a population of just seven people. It was founded in 1905 along the Soo Line Railroad, like many North Dakotan towns. The name's origin for this town is unknown today, although multiple explanations exist.
1. Ruso
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Ruso reported a population of only four at the last census. It is located in McLean County and is considered the place with the smallest population in the entire state. It was founded in 1906 and actually played a role in the 2014 Turkish film The Cut.

And I thought my town was small at around 100 residents! How many people live in your town? Discover even more of the smallest towns in North Dakota here!

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More to Explore

Charming Small Towns in North Dakota

Leah | April 02, 2020

What are the best small towns in North Dakota?

There are many North Dakota small towns to explore, a lot of which are very similar, but some that truly stand out. Jud, for example, is a tiny town of fewer than 100 residents but a community that shines. Most every building there is covered in murals, making it quite literally picturesque. Medora is a popular town for tourists despite it having a population of just 130 residents. This is thanks to its amazing location among the badlands right next to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and its wild western feel - plus, a famous outdoor musical. If there are any small towns in North Dakota you must visit, that one is definitely at the top.

What are the best things about living in North Dakota?

These kinds of small towns give just a glimpse into what it's like to live in North Dakota. Living in the Peace Garden State is, for many, a wonderful thing. If you live in a small town, you'll know there is a tight-knit community to have your back. Neighbors will help out neighbors like family. The peace and quiet of small town life are very appealing to some, as well. But small towns aren't the only thing in North Dakota. There are cities with all the amenities you'd need and expect all across the state, such as Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Mandan, Dickinson, and Williston. There's a bit of something for everyone here, and that's what makes life in North Dakota so great.

Which hidden gems in North Dakota should I visit?

These charming small towns in North Dakota are relatively unknown but some very worth visiting. If you're looking for other hidden gems in the state to check out, you've come to the right place. The town of Napoleon, located in the central region, has quite a bit to offer despite being so little. The White Maid restaurant is second to none, and there is a delicious bakery and other locally-owned businesses to enjoy as well. Additionally, Napoleon is right next to Beaver Lake State Park, a gorgeous lake-centered park with camping, fishing, and so much more. What more could you ask for in a small town?

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Featured Addresses
Ayr, ND 58007, USA
Gascoyne, ND 58653, USA
Leith, ND 58529, USA
Bantry, ND 58713, USA
Hannah, ND 58281, USA
Kief, ND, USA
Venturia, ND, USA
Churchs Ferry, ND 58325, USA
Hansboro, ND, USA
Pillsbury, ND, USA
Loraine, ND 58761, USA
Perth, ND, USA
Bergen, ND 58792, USA
Grano, ND 58750, USA
Ruso, ND 58778, USA