10/18/2026
In the US, we often measure the smallness of a "small town" based on the traffic light count. The lower the light count, the more the "small town" bragging rights, with "1 light towns" being the standard for truly rural. The vast majority of the time, small towns follow a 1 light/1,000 population pattern. I grew up in a town with 4 traffic lights, and it has a population of 3,908, placing it very close to this rule. In terms of towns you size by traffic lights, this would be a medium small town. Once we get up to 10 lights/10k people, now we're getting into city territory.
HOWEVER, I just moved to a town that stunned me by completely by defying this ratio. Despite having a population of 9,236 (rapidly approaching big city territory there), the traffic light count is...ZERO. Not a single light. Instead, current construction will bring the city to 7 total roundabouts, with more planned. This roundabout density is a true rarity by US city planning standards, and I am overjoyed. (Attached photo of our pending extra roundabouts)
28M, Size 9, doesn't know the difference between a roundabout, traffic circle, and rotary