Thinking of living off the grid? Here’s where the First State ranks

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in favor of taking in fresh air and wide-open spaces, you’re not alone.

According to Nature’s Generator, more than 250,000 residents in the United States currently live off the grid.

A recent BusinessElectric.com study, which revealed the top 150 places in the United States to live off the grid, included all three Delaware counties, as voted on by 3,000 Americans.

Here’s what each county has to offer for off-the-grid living.

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Best places to live off the grid in Delaware

• Sussex County (No. 20) – Just off the Atlantic Ocean, the First State’s southernmost county is ideal for beachgoers and nature lovers alike. The county spans roughly 938 square miles, and is known as Delaware’s largest county geographically, according to the county’s website. The county is home to a wide range of seaside resorts – including notable locales Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island – and known for its arable land, which is perfect for farming. The county also has a wide range of state parks and protected lands, including , Delaware Seashore State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which offer many outdoor recreational activities. Georgetown is Sussex County’s largest city, which spans nearly 4.1 square miles and has a population of 7,662 residents as of 2022.
• Kent County (No. 57) – Considered central Delaware, Kent County is considered by many to be a blend of historical and modern-day, family-friendly living. The county homes several museums including First State Heritage Park and the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village. There are also many state parks, including Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Bowers Beach and Killens State Park, which offer multiple outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing and bird-watching. Residents can also visit Spence’s Bazaar & Flea Market or Fifer Orchards to pick out homemade goodies and fresh produce. Dover, the state capital, is considered Kent County’s largest city, spanning 23.97 square miles and is home to 39,403 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census.  
• New Castle County, western region (No. 122) – The northernmost county of the First State, the western region of New Castle County provides residents both the opportunity to explore the big city and small towns. Alongside Lums Pond State Park, other regions worth exploring include Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area and Augustine Beach and Wildlife Area. Wilmington is the county’s largest city, with a population of 70,898 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census and spans 6,510,38 square miles.

What is off-the-grid living?

As Nature’s Generator explains, off-the-grid living is often defined as severing ties with public utilities, including electricity, gas and water, and instead generating these resources using renewable energy such as solar or wind power and water collection or filtration.

To put it simply, living off the grid means cutting off local utilities and similar resources and embracing self-sufficiency and resilience.

What are the pros and cons of off-the-grid living?

While many point to self-sufficiency, financial independence and reducing one’s carbon footprint as empowering, making the decision to live off the grid does have its drawbacks.

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In addition to making significantly high investment costs in resources like solar panels, water collection systems and battery storage mechanisms, there is also a lot of work involved and a greater risk of social isolation and being without electricity or water for several days.

But many do credit how living off the grid with saving money, encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle and providing a deeper connection to natural surroundings.