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Survival Retreat Population Density
June 27, 2010Population density and survival retreat location are inversely proportional. That is, most survival retreat locations will tend to be located in low population density areas.
Definition of a survival retreat, also referred to as a bug out location or BOL
A retreat, living outside and away from the main stream population for refuge, safety, and privacy.
Refuge, shelter or protection from danger. Safety, freedom from danger or damage. Privacy, being concealed or hidden.
No doubt there are a variety of interpretations and definitions of a survival retreat (or BOL) and its purpose.
Some will lean towards the safety aspect of a remote survival retreat location while taking comfort in being away from mass population density in the event of a major disruption. Others will prefer the idea of privacy or solitude of being unseen, or not being bothered by neighbors. There are many and various personal reasons for desiring a retreat location, and people today are exploring the possibility more and more as the uncertain times we live in begin to awaken our survival instincts.
Some people are already living year round in a location that many would consider a “survival retreat”, while others may have a retreat location that is only used occasionally, while still others only dream about having their own.
While determining an ideal location for a survival retreat, a very big concern will be the surrounding population density, which will ideally be low, and some distance away from any large population center.
There are obvious practical considerations while determining the remoteness of a survival retreat. The further away, the more self-sufficient you must be, year round. You need to keep in mind the products and services that you will need, which you cannot provide yourself. Most of us cannot survive on our own without the help or services of others. If someone lived fifty or a hundred miles away from the nearest town, that someone would have to be pretty self-sufficient and adept at making it on their own.
Maybe an ideal location is one where you are relatively near, or in, a small town which itself is not near a large population center. How small a town? Again, a personal choice.
My own thoughts of an ideal population choice may be 5,000 or less, or thereabout. Just enough population to provide the basic services that you will need (you can’t do everything yourself – or at least most of us can’t). There are so many variables, that it really comes down to doing a lot of research of the area, its services, and how they will compliment your own skills.
How far should this small town be from a larger population center, perhaps for other needs such as quality care, hospitalization, and other professional services? Determining that ideal distance, is an interesting exercise in itself. In a worst case disaster, how far will the ‘reach’ be of the hordes – at what point during a horde trek will the supplies diminish and thin out such that it is mostly stopped? What is a safe distance?
It is all very personal. However the following population density maps may help get you started.
Population Density Maps
For those looking for an ideal retreat location in the USA, I have come across several population density maps that may be useful, and if nothing else, interesting to look at.
USA population density map – 3D view
where-we-live from TIME multimedia
USA population density per square mile
USA population density map – flat view
US population map – wikimedia.org
Urban population density of North America
Based upon satellite measurements of city lights, this image is a map of the urban population density of North America. Most major cities are in level areas along an ocean, bay, large lake, or navigable river. I find it interesting to stare at the picture until you visualize the light gray areas rising up higher in elevation, and then observe how most everyone lives at very low elevations (dark areas).
World population density map
United Kingdom population density map
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