I come from a small town in Vermont but spent half my life on an island in the Pacific with a nearly a million people on it.
Now I live on a different island with only about 3K souls. We have police (8), a Fire Dept. (Volunteer) Municipal water, hydro-electric, trash pick up and sewer service. Most of the streets are paved but there are no multi-lane roads. There are no traffic signals except the one that flashes in front of the Fire House when the engine is about to come out, and another flashing amber light that runs when school lets out.
There is no Walmart, Costco or other big box store on the island. There are two hardware stores, two groceries, Two bars (Plus the Moose and Elk clubs), three marine chandleries and thirteen churches. There is no restaurant open after 4PM so there are a lot of dinner parties, pot lucks, church socials and community events. We have an excellent library and community theater too.
There is no road connecting this community with any other town; no bridge to the mainland. Access is by boat or airplane only. No large ships call here either. Tourism is limited to a few hunting and fishing lodges on the island or ferry passengers stretching their legs.
P.S. Didn’t see a single yard sign or bumper sticker for the national election.
Sounds like Ocracoke Island, NC, before the tourists found it at least.