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Monowi, Nebraska is the
only incorporated municipality in the United States with a population of 1.
Monowi's peak years were in the 1930s, when it had a
population of 150. Like many other small communities in the Great Plains, it
lost its younger residents to cities that were experiencing growth and
offering better jobs. During the 2000 census, the village had a total
population of two; only one married couple, Rudy and Elsie Eiler, lived
there. Rudy died in 2004, leaving his wife as the only remaining resident. In
this capacity, she acts as Mayor, granting herself a liquor license and
paying taxes to herself. She is required to produce a municipal road plan
every year in order to secure state funding for the village's four street
lights.
Although the village is almost abandoned, it does have
a bar called Monowi Tavern, operated by Elsie Eiler for passing trade. Elsie
also maintains the 5,000 volume Rudy’s Library, founded in memory of her late
husband, Rudy Eiler.
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