Looking to get away from the bustle of the city? Suburbia just not for you? An off-grid lifestyle might appeal to you.

According to a recent poll, three Illinois counties are among the best for off-the-grid living, including one in the top 10:

Top Illinois counties for off-grid living

In its poll of 3,000 people nationwide, BusinessElectric.com says these counties were the most popular choices in the Land of Lincoln:

• No. 9, Pope County: The southernmost county in Illinois sits on the border of Kentucky, along the Ohio River. It has 3,763 people — second-fewest people in Illinois, according to the 2020 census. The entire county is hilly and during rainy weather, “rivulets cascade down the hills in the park forming waterfalls of varying sizes and heights,” according to Wikipedia. The county contains Dixon Springs State Park and is part of the Shawnee National Forest.
• No. 36, Johnson County: The immediate western neighbor to Pope County has 13,308 people, according to the 2020 census. It includes part of Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Shawnee National Forest.
• No. 124, Jo Daviess County: Let’s go to the opposite side of the state with the northwesternmost county in Illinois. Part of the so-called “Driftless Area,” the county contains “rugged terrain compared to the rest of the state,” says Wikipedia, including Charles Mound, the highest natural point in Illinois. The county has a population of 22,035 and sits in a tri-state area including Dubuque, Iowa, and Platteville, Wisconsin.

The top 5 locations nationwide to live off the grid

• No. 1, Wasco County, Oregon: The county gained significant attention as the setting for the Netflix series “Wild Wild Country,” which documents the controversial Rajneeshpuram community led by Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in the 1980s. Despite the community’s tumultuous end, the show has appeared to have sparked renewed interest in off-grid lifestyles in Wasco County, according to Business Electric.
• No. 2, Hot Springs County, Wyoming: Ranked second, Hot Springs County in central Wyoming offers a rural environment enriched with natural hot springs, rivers, and mountains. The county’s remote areas provide the essential seclusion and resources necessary for off-grid living.
• No. 3, Meriwether County, Georgia: Located in west-central Georgia, Meriwether County offers a rural setting with large parcels of land available for purchase. The county’s strong agricultural community and abundant natural resources support a sustainable off-grid lifestyle.
• No. 4, Bienville Parish, Louisiana: Situated in northern Louisiana, Bienville Parish provides a rural environment with access to plentiful natural resources like forests and bodies of water. The parish’s remote areas offer privacy and opportunities for alternative living.
• No. 5, Somerset County, Maine: Completing the top five, Somerset County in central Maine boasts a rural environment with vast forests and access to rivers and lakes. The county’s low population density and natural beauty make it an ideal location for off-grid living.

Top off-grid locations in Iowa and Missouri

The poll conducted by Business Electric found the following counties in Iowa and Missouri among the most popular for living off the grid:

Iowa

• No. 12: Clayton County, Iowa
• No. 56: Allamakee County Iowa
• No. 109: Adams County Iowa

Missouri

• No. 65: Ozark County, Missouri
• No. 74: Oregon County, Missouri
• No. 104: Shannon County, Missouri

3-Star 2025 Center Isaac Sowells Jr. (6’2″/295) took an Official Visit to NC State last weekend. I caught up with him to get his take on the experience.

Walk through the visit. What did you do? Where did you go? Who did you meet?

We did a lot of things. We went through academics, facility tours, photo shoots, a lot of eating, and just getting to get comfortable around the people in the building.

What was the message from the coaches to you? What is your relationship like with the coaches?

The message from the coaches to me is I can be the Center of the future and help this program in the right direction. I’ve had a great relationship with Coach 2J since they offered me in August. He’s been texting me basically every single day, multiple times a day.

How do you think NC State might be a good fit for you?

I feel like I could fit in there because the depth chart is appealing and I can have the opportunity to play early. They have an explosive offense and keep getting top-tier Recruits. They also have a top ranked defense.

What were your favorite parts?

I’d say my favorite parts were just really getting to hang out with the people at dinner and just getting to know a little bit more about the commits and recruits.

Who was your host?

Zeke Correll

What are your thoughts on where NC State’s at, and where they are headed?

I feel very great about the program. They have a Top 25 defense and a very explosive offense. They keep bringing in top guys and don’t go too deep into the portal.

Where does NC State stand in your recruitment? What do you like about the Wolfpack?

I’d say they sit pretty high in my recruitment. I just like the way they treat their top guys and make you feel like a priority.

When do you plan on making your college decision?

July 18th.

What’s your relationship like with the current players and some of the other players they are recruiting?

I’d say with the current players I’m getting to know them a little bit more, like Zeke Carroll and I got to meet (Jacarrius) Peak. When it comes to recruits, me and (Michael) Gibbs talk every day, and I’ll talk to Gus (Ritchey) and Will (Wilson) periodically.

What is it that you like the way Coach 2J coaches the O-Line?

I like his approach. He’s there to coach you hard, but he also loves you and he makes that known.

_______

A month ago, Sowells Jr. released his Top-5, and NC State was included along with Kentucky, South Carolina, Miami and Louisville. He has taken Official Visits to South Carolina, Miami and Kentucky.

ESPN ranks Sowells Jr. as the #3 Center in the nation, and the #4 player overall in the state of Kentucky.

As a Junior last year, he had 85 Knockdowns for Louisville Male High School (Louisville, KY).

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated Saturday in a homicide investigation over a teenager’s shooting death.

Authorities have identified the victim as 17-year-old Terrance D. Booker.

Booker died in a shooting around 5 a.m. Saturday in the 1300 block of Williams Street, according to the Major Case Squad.

Investigators say Booker was shot multiple times and found deceased in the yard of a home.

No suspect information has been released to this point. The Major Case Squad says there are 14 investigators working this case.

If you have any relevant information, contact the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis at 618-332-4277 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).