The Smallest North Carolina Town in the U.S.

Small towns are truly the heart of America. There's nothing like traveling the country and taking in the sights of small towns across U.S., and the people in small towns are often very friendly and welcoming, too. Now, a new study out names the smallest town in each state and what makes it so unique.

The staff at Only In Your State has put together a tally with the smallest town in each state. It's truly a delight to look at their picks and see what they love about all these small places in the world. "The spirit of community and neighborly kindness that you get in American small towns just can't be rivaled," they state in the feature, adding that "as the years go by, it's getting harder and harder to find truly close-knit communities that embody that feeling of togetherness and old-fashioned hospitality." In the piece, they highlight towns that have populations near or below 1,000 people.

According to a piece published by the U.S. Census titled "America: A Nation of Small Towns," roughly "76% of incorporated places have fewer than 5,000 people and about a third of those have less than 500 people." So, small towns are a big deal across the U.S. and in every state. However, while small towns are popular, according to the latest Census numbers, "Overall, between the last census on April 1, 2010 and July 1, 2019 estimates, large cities in the South – places with a population of 50,000 or more – grew at a faster pace than in any other U.S region."

Now, let's get to North Carolina. The smallest town in the state, according to Only In Your State, is Saluda, which is about 95 miles west of Charlotte and 215 miles southwest of Fayetteville. "This town of 500 people is filled with family-run businesses that have been operating for generations, as well as a historic train station with an authentic 19th century caboose," they state. "The local countryside also offers some incredible hiking trails."