Complete Guide to Living Off The Grid in Minnesota

The state of Minnesota is sometimes known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but the truth is that it has roughly 11,000 lakes. The amount of lakes definitely makes this living off the grid in Michigan ideal.

Living off the grid is legal in Minnesota, and there are no existing requirements regulating rainwater gathering. Homeschooling laws are likewise quite permissive. Property prices can be a little higher, and property taxes are slightly higher than the national average. Overall, there aren’t many negative things I can say about living off the grid in Minnesota. The brutal winters may catch you off guard if you aren’t acclimated to them.

General Statistics for Living Off The Grid in Michigan

Although you might imagine that the vast majority of people live in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the state capital, the truth is that Minneapolis has a population of roughly 430k and St. Paul has a population of around 300k. The rest of the population lives in smaller towns and cities that are relatively close to one of the cities listed above. Minnesota has been ranked the second-best state in which to raise a family, with a low crime rate and a high level of life.

This is an excellent state to live in if you want to live off the grid or homestead, albeit it will cost you a little more. Winters are a crucial element to consider if living off the grid in Minnesota interests you. While the state has all four seasons, the winter season can extend a long period. People who reside in Minnesota frequently claim that there are only two seasons: three months of summer and nine months of winter. This is due to the fact that spring and fall are exceedingly brief, beginning and ending within weeks.

One thing you probably didn’t know about Minnesota is that it has a mosquito season, which isn’t surprising given the number of lakes in the state. Every year at the start of the summer, the insect population explodes. The good news is that when compared to the southern states, Minnesota’s mosquito problem is almost non-existent. If you’d like to learn about Off-Grid Living in a neighboring state, I recommend reading my guide to Off-Grid living in Michigan. 

What Are The Off-Grid Laws in Minnesota? 

There are currently no regulations forbidding you from living off the grid; in fact, a large number of people do so in this state. Homeschooling regulations in Minnesota are also quite permissive, and you can alert the authorities with a simple letter. 

What’s the Climate in Minnesota? 

The climate in Minnesota is continental, which means summers are short and hot, while winters are cold and long. In the summer, the average temperature is around 90°F, but in the winter, it can dip as low as -40°F. From the standpoint of off-grid living, this will create two major issues for you: it will limit the amount of time you have to cultivate crops, and you will be working for most of the summer in order to be able to survive the winter.

On some days, the temperature difference between day and night can be significant; yet, when summer arrives, everything blooms at once, and everything turns green in a matter of days. On the other side, when winter arrives, it arrives quickly; just a few weeks after everything is green, everything will be blanketed in snow.

What are the Best Crops To Grow in Minnesota? 

Even if they do not rely on crops as a food source, most individuals who live off the grid cultivate some. Potatoes, oats, wheat, and even sugar beet are all easy to grow in Minnesota. In general, the best land in Minnesota for growing crops is in the southern parts of the state; this is not to say that you cannot grow crops in the northern parts of the state; however, in the southern part of the state, you will have a few extra days of summer, which can make a significant difference.

One thing to keep in mind with crops is that overnight temperatures can drop dramatically even in the summer. If you wish to live off the grid in Minnesota, you’ll need to know how to cultivate your own food and can it.

What’s Freshwater Availability Like In Minnesota?

It’s safe to say that in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you’ll have no trouble locating clean water. There are now no restrictions forbidding the collection of rainwater, and pure groundwater, as well as water from several streams and lakes, are readily available. Minnesota is home to the Mississippi River, which is one of the world’s largest rivers. Because lake water contains a lot of bacteria, parasites, and bugs, your best alternative is to collect water from a nearby stream.

One thing to remember is that if you collect water from a stream or lake, it will most likely freeze over during the winter, and if you use plastic pipes to collect it, it will most likely be destroyed.

What Kind of Wildlife is in Minnesota? 

Minnesota is home to a diverse range of animals, including bison, black bears, wolves, and beavers. Bluegill, crappies, yellow perch, and other fish can be found in plenty in the local rivers and lakes. Hunting and fishing are both controlled, and you will need a license for both, though licenses are quite inexpensive and simple to obtain. Many people go ice fishing in the winter, and you’ll often see something that looks like a tent on the ice of a lake.

How to Generate Off-Grid Power In Minnesota? 

Solar power: You will have little trouble generating power using solar panels during the summer, but they will be nearly useless during the winter. The days are shorter in the winter, and because the winters in this state stay much longer than in other states, you won’t be able to use solar panels in the winter. On the other hand, the state offers a federal tax credit for solar panels of roughly 26%; however, keep in mind that this tax credit is decreasing every year.

Wind power: Currently, wind power generates roughly 18 percent of the state’s electricity, making Minnesota one of the top states in the country for wind turbine power generation. Minnesota also boasts one of the most significant wind energy incentives in the country; when the state and federal subsidies are combined, overall costs can be 60 percent lower.

Hydroelectric power: With so many rivers and streams, generating electricity with water is simple, and some firms even give refunds.

What’s Road Access Like in Minnesota? 

Road access in Minnesota is a double-edged sword; as you travel further into the countryside, the roads deteriorate, and in many regions, there is no road access at all. The biggest issue with road access comes during the winter when car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death in Minnesota. During the winter, it snows so heavily that the authorities are unable to keep up with the cleaning of highways, even those connecting cities.

People who live off the grid in Minnesota frequently utilize ATVs in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter because they can’t always count on having access to roads in this state.

What’s the Price For Off The Grid Land in Michigan? 

Many people will tell you that moving to Minnesota is a bad idea since land is expensive. This is especially true if you buy farmland or acreage near the city. However, people who live off the grid in Minnesota frequently choose a location that isn’t too close to the city. In general, the further north you go, the less expensive the land becomes. Albeit land with a natural spring or a lake will be slightly more expensive.

Interested in another state for living off the grid? Check out my guide to Off Grid Life in Ohio.

What’s the Property Tax in Minnesota? 

Minnesota’s property tax is 1.15 percent, somewhat more than the national rate of 1.08 percent. Many people believe Minnesota has a high property tax. However, the fact is that several of its surrounding states have even higher rates without all of Minnesota’s ammenities. 

What’s the Cost Of Living Off The Grid in Minnesota? 

When compared to other states in the USA, Minnesota’s cost of living is fairly typical. There is one exception: the housing market. It is slightly more expensive than the country’s median average. Albeit this most likely relates to properties in metropolitan areas, and if you’re looking for a property, you’ll notice a significant price variation between counties. When you compare Minnesota to its neighboring states, you’ll notice that it has a rather high standard of living.

What’s the Job Market Like in Minnesota? 

The unemployment rate is approximately 3.2 percent, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.9 percent. Education is one of the key businesses in which a large portion of the population works. This is followed by trade, transportation, and manufacturing. Although agriculture is important to the local economy, just about 1% of the population is employed in this field.

What’s the Crime Rate in Minnesota? 

Minnesota has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. That made it rank as the second-best state for raising a family. Minnesota stands out from the rest of the states not only when it comes to off the grid living, but also as a terrific area to live in general.

Is Living Off The Grid in Minnesota Affected by Natural Disasters?

Tornadoes, floods, hail storms, blizzards, landslides, heat waves, and forest fires are all common natural catastrophes in Minnesota. Floods are common at the start of the summer. This is because of the high temperatures that melt the snow and cause rivers to flood. Some summers are unusually hot, and heatwaves can occur; forest fires can also occur at this time.

Can You Live Off The Grid in Minnesota? 

Minnesota is definitely one of the greatest places for living off the grid; at least in my opinion. The one significant issue that may deter some individuals is how lengthy and cold the winters may be; however, this would not be an issue for someone who comes from Alaska. If you’re from the south and aren’t used to working hard in below-freezing conditions, Minnesota is probably not the place for you.