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
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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