The smallest town in Kansas has only X inhabitants: a ghost town without school or church
It is a community on the brink of disappearance, it preserves its history in the heart of the United States.
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In the state of Kansas, in Harper County, lies Freeport, a small town that has become one of the most depopulated towns in the United States. With a population of just 4 people according to the 2020 census, this place is considered a ghost town, without a school, church, or many of the basic services usually found in other communities in the country.
Freeport was not always on the brink of disappearance. For years, this locality was recognized as the smallest incorporated city in Kansas. However, in November 2017 it officially lost its city status, becoming an unincorporated community due to the drastic reduction in its population.
This decline reflects a common pattern in many rural areas of the United States, where the exodus to larger cities has left entire communities almost empty. Located about 90 kilometers southwest of Wichita, Freeport once had a school, a church, and some local businesses that sustained life in the community.
A town where time stood still
Over time, the closure of businesses and lack of job opportunities led its residents to move to other parts of Kansas or to other regions of the United States in search of better conditions.
Despite its small population, a town still preserves structures that recall its past. Its old church, although closed, still stands as a witness to the time when the community had a more active life. Similarly, some commercial buildings remain empty, reflecting the impact of depopulation on the rural areas of the country.
Today, it does not have a school, a fire service, or essential infrastructure. Its inhabitants depend on nearby towns to meet their daily needs. However, this small corner of Kansas still attracts curious visitors who seek to learn about the history of ghost towns in the United States up close.
While other rural areas of Kansas struggle to revitalize, Freeport continues to withstand the test of time with only four residents, maintaining its place as one of the smallest communities in the country.
