California Town with Fewer Than 30 Residents Wants More People to Move There. But They Want Potential Homeowners to Know This One Thing First

**Darwin, California: The Struggle for Survival in a Small Town**

Situated just outside the boundaries of Death Valley National Park, the quaint town of Darwin, California, is facing an uncertain future. With a population that has dwindled to fewer than 30 residents, the community is eager to attract younger individuals capable of revitalising the town and ensuring its longevity.

Originally founded in 1874 and named after luckless miner Darwin French, Darwin emerged during a time when silver and lead mining drew hopeful prospectors to the area. Yet, according to 2020 census data, the town’s population has greatly decreased, often hovering around 36, with many of those residents residing there only part-time.

Kathy Goss, a longtime resident who relocated from San Francisco in 1997, has become a vocal advocate for the town’s need for younger newcomers. “We need help,” Goss stated in an interview. “We need younger people to come here and make the commitment to live here. And make a commitment to doing some muscle work.” In an effort to raise awareness, she has placed signs throughout the town urging people to acknowledge that “People live here.”

Despite facing severe challenges with water management, the tight-knit community continues to persevere. The town operates under a limited permit system that costs each household approximately £45 per month. With limited manpower, only five residents currently comprise the water board, leading to heavy burdens on those involved. Resident Judyth Greenburgh describes the stress of the role, stating, “Anyone who becomes the head of the water board becomes this stressed-out monster.” Greenburgh, now 61, added a note of determination: “We survived this long. We’ll survive again. And it’s Darwin. Evolve or die, right?”

Unlike larger cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, Darwin lacks a full-fledged water department, which means that the town must adhere to many of the same regulations without the necessary organisational support. Resident Jim Hunolt expressed frustration at this disparity: “This isn’t Bakersfield, where they have a whole department of water. But we’re subject to almost all the same rules they are.”

Despite these obstacles, local inhabitants highlight the town’s peacefulness. “The only danger of living here, real danger, is that you’re too far from a hospital if you really need something,” reflected 73-year-old Rick Gibson. He emphasised that Darwin is not the type of community fraught with violence—”It’s not a gun-hungry town where everybody’s shooting all day long.” However, Gibson acknowledges his own need for a change, as he plans to relocate to either Las Vegas, Reno, Nevada, or Placerville, California, as he approaches 80.

Meanwhile, the social dynamics of Darwin are evolving in ways that residents have mixed feelings about. Many locals report that tourists frequently pass through, drawn to the town by its reputation as a “ghost town” for social media photography. Hunolt voiced his frustration over these brief visits: “They pull in, they look around. It’s like, you’re not the first one to film it.”

Nico Georis, a newer arrival who joined the community in 2022, has taken an active role on the water board and echoes the sentiments about the need for future generations. “They’re getting older, and they need help, and they need a new generation to pass the torch to,” he noted regarding the town’s original residents.

Nonetheless, Georis also expressed a sense of disillusionment over recent changes: “It’s a much different place now. And it’s a beautiful place, so I’m happy for people to see it, but it’s become a destination, and it’s kind of ruined living there.”

As members of this small community grapple with their future, they highlight the fundamental similarities shared with other towns across California. “We’re no different than any other town in California,” Gibson concluded. “Any little town.”

The residents of Darwin are certainly facing an uphill battle, but with concerted efforts to attract younger individuals willing to settle down and work for the town’s preservation, there may still be hope for this historic community to thrive once again. As interest from the outside world increases, it remains to be seen whether this tiny enclave can transform fleeting curiosity into a sustainable future.