What is Illinois's smallest city?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

The title of Illinois's smallest city can vary based on whether you define it by population or by land area, as local municipal designations in Illinois can be legally complex. However, based on recent census data, the "city" (specifically categorized as a city rather than a village or unincorporated town) with the lowest population is often cited as places like Kaskaskia or various micro-municipalities with fewer than 50 permanent residents. Historically, Kaskaskia was the first capital of Illinois, but it has dwindled over the centuries due to persistent flooding from the Mississippi River, which effectively turned it into an island and caused almost all its residents to relocate. While it remains legally a "city" in the state’s administrative records, it is functionally a tiny, isolated community that represents a fascinating, albeit shrinking, footnote in Illinois history.

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