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The top 10 places to go off-the-grid in the US — does your hometown make the list?

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The top 10 places to go off-the-grid in the US — does your hometown make the list?

If the hustle and bustle of the modern world is getting you down, look no further for the perfect slice of peace and quiet.

Business Electric ranked the top 150 off-grid living counties across the nation as voted by 3,000 Americans.

The top spots sprawled across nearly every region of the country, but all had two essential traits in common: wilderness and isolation.

Here’s the top ten counties in the US to find a bit of peace of mind.

1. Wasco County, Oregon

Wasco County, located a comfortable distance from the buzzing city of Portland, took home the top spot for off-the-grid living.

The sweeping county covers 2,381 square miles, but only has a population of 26,670, according to Census data. That means that there are roughly just 11 people per square mile, making for very quiet living.

There are roughly 11 people living in Wasco County per square mile. Bob – stock.adobe.com

Much of the allure of Wasco is how much is encompassed in the northwestern wilderness. Mount Hood National Forest bleeds across Wasco and several other neighboring states and boasts lakes, hiking trails, mountain biking trails and much more.

Beware, however, that Mount Hood is one of the most visited federal parks in the country.

2. Hot Springs County, Wyoming

One thousand miles away, Hot Springs County boasts a shockingly small population of just 4,621, making it the second-least populous county in the entire state.

The tiny community is made even more isolated by the terrain — it is completely surrounded by mountains

The seclusion is nearly ironic considering Hot Springs County was once home to the largest town in the country. Now a ghost town with several eerily standing buildings and a cemetery, Gebo was a mining town established in 1907 that was once home to 2,000 people.

Hot Springs County residents today, however, get the privilege of enjoying the southern portion of the Big Horn Basin, the Wind River Canyon, the Shoshone National Forest and its namesake Hot Springs State Park, all of which lie within their sparsely populated county lines.

Hot Springs County is named after its sprawling Hot Springs State Park. MelissaMN – stock.adobe.com

3. Meriwether County, Georgia

Taking home the highest-ranking spot in the southeastern region of the country, Meriwether County is known for its sprawling parks and lakes.

According to the county website, the community’s history dates back “before recorded times when the Indians used its paths for trading routes, the springs as a source of healing and its wilderness as a source of beauty to behold.”

The county’s population rests around 20,613 spanning its 505 square miles, according to Census data.

Meriwether County has history dating back to pre-recorded times and is known for its healing springs. Wikipedia

4. Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Self-described as a “prime for weekend getaway” and a “hunting and fishing paradise,” Bienville Parish is famous for its camping culture.

Lake Bistineau, Kepler Creek Lake, The Mill Creek Reservoir and Saline Lake are some of the most popular spots littered with cabins and lodges, which hide under the refuse of hardwood forests

The community is relatively small, with just 5,375 households in the northwestern county.

It is the spot where the notorious Bonnie and Clyde were gunned down, however, so expect some oglers.

Bonnie and Clyde were cornered and gunned down in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. BienvilleParish.org

5. Somerset County, Maine

Somerset County Maine boasts the largest population of the counties thus far mentioned, standing at 50,477 people.

Somerset County has a total area of 4,094 square miles — about a quarter of which is covered in water.

The maritime-heavy community has hordes of protected preserves that make for the perfect place for all-year-round hiking, hunting and fishing — and even snowmobiling in the winter.

About a quarter of Somerset County is covered by water. Vadim – stock.adobe.com

6 – 10

Two states that already earned top-five status also scored spots in the backend top ten spots for the off-grid living locations in the US.

Harney County, Oregon, known for its mountains and lava formations, slid into No. 8, while lake-covered Rabun County, Georgia finished as No. 10.

Litchfield County, Connecticut; Lake County, Michigan; and Pope County, Illinois also made the list as spots six, seven and nine.

All but Litchfield County had populations under 17,000 people.

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