Tiny cities that are a hub

[Takumi]

Tappahannock, VA, has a population of a little over 2000, and has a Walmart Supercenter, Lowe's, Sheetz, Applebee's, Shoney's, multiple hotels, and several fast food restaurants. Definitely a hub for that part of the state, as anything more substantial requires a 45-minute drive to Mechanicsville.

[DandyDan]

For Minnesota it's places like Marshall (college), Morris (college), Virginia/Hibbing (regional centers), Winona (college), Grand Rapids (tourism!, Baxter/Brainerd (more Baxter these days, tourism), Bemidji (college/tourism), Albert Lea (interstate junction)

Should probably add Hutchinson and Thief River Falls. Hutchinson is big enough for Walmart and Applebee's.

I would add Worthington to that list as well, granted it's mostly because it's a place where highways meet more than anything. Fairmont seems similar.

[sbeaver44]

Carlisle PA is under 20,000 and seemingly has about that many warehouses and trucking stations due to its proximity to several interstates.  Served by I-76 and 81.  I-83 is 20 miles away.  I-78 is 40 miles away.  I-70 is 55 miles away.

Rochelle IL might qualify, about 10,000, huge railroad center (or was, are they closing UP Global III?) and at the crossroads of I-39 and I-88

[DandyDan]

Carlisle PA is under 20,000 and seemingly has about that many warehouses and trucking stations due to its proximity to several interstates.  Served by I-76 and 81.  I-83 is 20 miles away.  I-78 is 40 miles away.  I-70 is 55 miles away.

Rochelle IL might qualify, about 10,000, huge railroad center (or was, are they closing UP Global III?) and at the crossroads of I-39 and I-88

You may be amused to know Rochelle's high school teams are known as the Hubs.

[zachary_amaryllis]

la junta, colo. junction of us 50, 350, sh 10, and one or two more state routes.

might be 15,000 people.

there's an amtrak depot there.

[planxtymcgillicuddy]

For North Carolina, I'd say any town between Charlotte and the Triad. Statesville, Mocksville, Salisbury, Lexington all punch well above their weight

[US 89]

Ely, Nevada comes to mind. It’s not that big with only 3900 people or so, but it’s the biggest town for a long way. The closest bigger city is Elko, which is 180 miles away by car...and if you’re going that far for a bigger city, you might as well just go to St George (215 miles away) or Las Vegas/Salt Lake City (both 240 miles away).

As a result, it functions as a significant regional hub - with multiple national chain hotels, fast food places, and even a Ridley’s (Intermountain West smaller-town grocery store chain). About the only things it’s missing are Walmart and McDonalds.