What do you mean by “small town?” My hometown had a population of less than 1500 when I was growing up–it’s over 1600 now. Whoo! Yes, some people commute to Mpls/St. Paul from there, but it’s still pretty much a small town (although the Walmart and such may change that soon).
To my mind, a small town is not the same thing as a small city. Eau Claire WI is a small city (or even medium size) of about 50,000. With some exceptions for small college towns, my definition of small towns would include criteria such as:
Only one public high school, possibly requiring people to come in from other small towns to get a graduating class of more than 50.
The high school is also the community center.
One grocery store.
A weekly newspaper.
No TV station–radio stations must be small.
No more than two of any of the following–dentist’s offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance agencies, movie theatres, video stores, fast food franchises (probably a Dairy Queen).
Unlocked cars, houses, etc.
Wild areas–fields, forests, streams, etc.
You know a sizable proportion of the population.
The town’s mayor must hold down a full-time “real” job.
You start getting beyond these, and I wouldn’t say that it’s a small town anymore.
Bucky