When we think of state capitals, we usually imagine sprawling urban jungles like Austin or Phoenix. However, US geography is full of surprises. The title of the smallest state capital in the country belongs to a tiny capital city that feels more like a close-knit community than a political powerhouse.
Which is the smallest state capital in the US?
Montpelier, Vermont is the smallest state capital in the United States. While many large state capitals have populations in the hundreds of thousands or even millions, Montpelier has an estimated population of just 7,915 people (2024 estimate). To put that into perspective, even a medium-sized sports stadium can hold 20,000 or more people. That means the entire population of Montpelier wouldn’t even fill half a stadium.
Top 3 smallest state capitals in the US by population
- Montpelier, Vermont (Population: 7,915)
- Pierre, South Dakota (Population: 13,788)
- Augusta, Maine (Population: 19,168)
(Source: United States Census Bureau, 2024 estimate)
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