Ruso, North Dakota

Ruso is an incorporated tiny city in McLean County, North Dakota, in the United States. The population was one at the 2020 census,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">Template:Cite web</ref> making Ruso the least populous incorporated place in North Dakota.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is tied with Monowi, Nebraska, as the least populated community in the United States that is currently inhabited. There are no longer any businesses or services in Ruso; but said to be present is a FLDS compound<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> that has been of concern to the Attorney General of the state.

History

Ruso was founded and named on July 17, 1906,<ref name="digitalhorizonsonline.org">Template:Cite book</ref> and named either after a Russian word meaning "south of us" or from the first two letters in both of the words "South Russia" by an agent who brought in immigrants from Russia.<ref name="digitalhorizonsonline.org"/><ref name=Wick>Template:Cite web</ref> Ruso was incorporated as a city on July 7, 1909.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The city lost its last business in 1956.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Three tornadoes struck the Ruso area on August 15, 2022, flipping over farm equipment and anhydrous tanks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Geography

Ruso is in northeastern McLean County, on the west side of North Dakota Highway 41, which leads north Template:Convert to Velva and south Template:Convert to Turtle Lake. North Dakota Highway 53 passes just south of Ruso, leading east Template:Convert to Butte and west Template:Convert to Max. Washburn, the McLean county seat, is Template:Convert south of Ruso.

The New Town Subdivision of the CPKC railroad passes through Ruso, leading east to Drake and west to Max.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Ruso has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/>

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there was one person and zero families residing in the city. There were four housing units.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were four people, one household containing one family residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were three housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White.

There were three households, of which one was a married couple living together and the other two single people living alone. One household was a person living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.33 and the average family size was 2.00.

The median age in the city was 58.5 years. 0.0% of residents were under the age of 18; 0.0% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 0.0% were from 25 to 44; 75% were from 45 to 64; and 25% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 75.0% male and 25.0% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were six people, three households, and three families residing in the city. The population density was 23.9 people per square mile (9.3/kmTemplate:Sup). There were three housing units at an average density of 11.9 per square mile (4.6/kmTemplate:Sup). The racial makeup of the city was 100% White.

There were three households, out of which none had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 100% were married couples living together. The average household size was two and the average family size was two.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.3% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 33.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. There were three males and three females.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,250, and the median income for a family was $41,250. The per capita income for the city was $21,050. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

Education

It is within the Velva Public School District 1.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>