Nebraska town loses half its population between censuses, and now has just one resident

There are varying degrees of rurality, but one Nebraska town may be the most rural: it has only one resident. "Elsie Eiler is the most admired person in Monowi, Neb. She is also the smartest, wealthiest, best-looking and youngest," Kevin Murphy of Reuters reports. Monowi lost its other resident in 2004 when Elsie's husband, Rudy, died. "We probably have the record by going down in population 50 percent," Eiler told Murphy. "I chose to stay here after my husband died. It's home." (CBS News image)

Wikipedia map: Nebraska, Boyd County and Monowi

The Census Bureau has not confirmed the data yet, but Reuters reports "Monowi appeared to stand alone as a one-person incorporated village, town or city." Eiler owns the town's only business, the Monowi Tavern, and operates the library, a "tiny building jammed with 5,000 books that is dedicated to Rudy, a devoted reader," Murphy writes. "Eiler has done the required paperwork to keep Monowi a village," and she serves as the village clerk, treasurer, mayor and council, Murphy reports. "I'm the whole thing," Eiler said. There's no need for any elections, she said, "because I'd be the only one to vote." (Read more)