Monowi, Nebraska
Incorporated US community with a population of 1 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monowi (/ˈmɒnoʊwaɪ/ MON-oh-wye) is an incorporated village in Boyd County, Nebraska, United States. It garnered national and international[4] recognition after the 2010 United States census counted only one resident of the village, Elsie Eiler.[5] Although the 2020 census listed Monowi's population as two,[6] this was confirmed to be an example of differential privacy in the census data; Eiler remains the town's sole resident.[7]
Monowi, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
 Population sign that can be seen on entering Monowi from the east (2007) | |
 Location within Boyd County | |
 Detailed map of Monowi, Nebraska | |
 Monowi Location within Nebraska  Monowi Location within the United States | |
| Coordinates: 42°49′51″N 98°19′46″W / 42.83083; -98.32944][[Category:Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas]]"},"html":"Coordinates: </templatestyles>\"}' data-mw='{\"name\":\"templatestyles\",\"attrs\":{\"src\":\"Module:Coordinates/styles.css\"},\"body\":{\"extsrc\":\"\"}}'/>42°49′51″N 98°19′46″W / 42.83083°N 98.32944°W"}"> | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Boyd |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Elsie Eiler (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2) |
| • Land | 0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,368 ft (417 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1 |
| • Density | 4.76/sq mi (1.81/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 68746 (shared with Lynch) |
| Area code | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-32550[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2399382[2] |
According to tradition, the name Monowi means "flower" in an unidentified Native American language.[8][9] Monowi was named after the many wildflowers growing at the original site of the village.[10]
History
Summarize
Perspective
Monowi was platted in 1903, when the Mason, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad was extended to that point.[12] A post office was established in Monowi in 1902 and remained in operation until 1967.[13]
Monowi's peak years were in the 1930s, when it had a population of 150.[14][15] Like many other small communities in the Great Plains, it lost its younger residents to cities that were experiencing growth and offering better jobs.[16]
During the 2000 census, the village had a total population of two; only one married couple, Rudy and Elsie Eiler, lived there.[14] Rudy died in 2004, leaving his wife as the only resident in the village.[16] In this capacity, she acts as mayor, and granted herself a liquor license. She is required to produce a municipal road plan every year in order to secure state funding for the village's four street lights.[17][16]
Although the village is nearly abandoned, it does have a bar called the Monowi Tavern, operated by Eiler for passing travelers and tourists. In addition, Eiler maintains the five-thousand–volume Rudy's Library, founded in memory of her late husband.[14][16]
In 2018, the village was featured in commercials for Arby's and Prudential.[16][18] The village was also used as a starting place for the biggest advertisement poster in the world, which was finished on June 13, 2018.[19]
Census data
After the 1990 United States census, Eiler had observed that Monowi's population had been miscounted, and contacted radio broadcaster Paul Harvey to publicize the error.[20] Years later, preliminary information from the 2020 census appeared to show that Monowi's population increased to two. However, Eiler denied that anyone had moved into the town, and a spokesperson for the United States Census Bureau said that the alleged second resident was actually a form of "noise... add[ed] to the [census] data," in which some individuals are listed in a bordering tract to protect the anonymity of census respondents.[7]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.21 square miles (0.54 km2), all land.[21] The village is located in the far eastern portion of Boyd County, in the northeastern region of Nebraska. It is located between the Niobrara River and the larger Missouri River.[22] The nearest community to Monowi is Lynch, located approximately 7 miles (11 km) away. Omaha, the largest city in the region, is located approximately 195 miles (314 km) southeast.[23][24]
Demographics
Census data for Monowi highlights its uniqueness, owing to the numerical singularity of its population. As of 2010:[25]
- The total population was one (Born 1935, female, white, named Elsie).
- She was the sole householder, living alone.
- Of the three housing units in Monowi, only hers was occupied.
Education
The area is within Boyd County Public Schools.[26] The area was previously within the Lynch Public Schools district in Lynch.[27] The Lynch district consolidated into the Boyd County district in June 2017.[28]
See also
- Hibberts Gore, Maine – a US community with a population of one
- Buford, Wyoming – an abandoned unincorporated community in the US that gained media attention in 2011 for housing one person
- Ruso, North Dakota – a incorporated city in McLean County, North Dakota, with a population of one
- Rochefourchat, Drôme – a commune in southeastern France with a single resident
References
External links
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