When we think of ghost towns, we might picture the ones we see in movies after there's been a zombie outbreak or an apocalyptic event — but ghost towns are very real, and America is home to a few of them.

According to the US Census Bureau, three new towns have reached a population of zero since 2010, while 39 others now have less than 10 residents. HireAHelper delved into the data to see which towns' populations have declined the most, and which parts of the country might vanish from the map next.

Key Findings:

• Three US towns have become ghost towns since 2010. According to the data, there are now zero residents in Mustang, Texas, South Park View, Kentucky and Hoot Owl, Oklahoma.

• In the last 12 or so years, 92 of America's towns have lost at least half of their population.

• Over the same period, populations grew in 82 percent of cities with more than 100,000 people.

• The greatest population decline happened in Corning, Missouri, where the number of residents fell 93 percent between 2010 and 2022 — from 15 people to just one person.

Check out these eerie before-and-after photos of some of the US towns where populations are dwindling.

Via HireAHelper.

[Image credit: Eniko Polgar]