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How many survivalists are in the US?

Insights into State Preparedness in 2021 and 2022 First, we found that 15% of all Americans identify themselves as survivalists.

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First, we found that 15% of all Americans identify themselves as survivalists. This puts into perspective just how significant it is that 26% of Floridians identify themselves as preppers and that only 6% — less than half the average — of Connecticut residents do so. Next, we asked all respondents if they have purchased survival materials, which can include anything from non-perishable food items and bulk toiletries to generators and communication devices that don’t require an internet connection or subscription service. A total of 48% of all respondents stated that they expect to purchase more survival items in the future. Our team was interested in how prepared Americans felt overall for a disaster of any kind, so we asked respondents and sorted responses by state. Overall, residents of Wisconsin, West Virginia, Washington, Virginia, and Utah feel most prepared for an unexpected environmental or political disaster. Interestingly, only one state where residents feel most prepared for a disaster — Washington — made it into the top ten states for the number of residents identifying as “survivalists.” This could be due to a skewed perception of the term “survivalists,” especially in the wake of popular shows like National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers, which glamorizes extreme survivalism. Finally, it was hard to ignore the potential move to survivalism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we asked respondents specifically if they have purchased more survival materials since the pandemic began. Quite unsurprisingly, 45% of respondents reported that they had.

Best States to Live to Survive Doomsday/End of the World

When it comes to life for true survivalists, there are a massive number of factors that go into deciding on the best place to live after an economic, political, or environmental disaster. For most preppers, a low population density is essential so that the competition for natural resources is lower. Areas where wild game is in better supply are typically more favorable, so states with open land are generally better for preppers. Access to fresh water and fertile soil for farming is crucial, so areas with a low risk of drought are usually better. For all of these reasons, states with a mixture of forest cover and open land are more suitable. Preppers also consider proximity to major roads (better to be far away, as others will use these to search for resources), military bases (better to be far away given the possibility of martial law being put into effect), and nuclear power plants (better to be far away for safety) to determine overall safety and accessibility of the area. Areas with a high likelihood of natural disasters tend to be shied away from.

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Additionally, preppers often look for signs of potential growth of an area after the dust settles in the wake of a catastrophe. Factors that help identify that an area may flourish include low poverty and low crime rates, a high number of residents with higher education, an abundance of natural resources, and relatively high job growth rates. With all that being said, preppers often identify five states in particular as the best for survival purposes in the wake of a disaster: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Washington State. Of these states, only two appear on our list of states with the highest population of residents considering themselves survivalists: Colorado and Washington State. The likelihood is that these two states are the best places to relocate to if you’re prepping for the end of the world as we know it.

Why the Prepper States Are Desirable for Anyone

So, why does all of this matter if you’re not planning on buying into the “prepper lifestyle” and becoming entirely independent?

Well, most of the things survivalists look for also appeal to people who are simply moving. Relocating to areas that have open land and abundant natural resources tends to land you in beautiful locations. States with low population density and large properties offer privacy, which is desirable to most people, especially those relocating out of major cities. States with a low risk of natural disasters offer more peace of mind to anyone moving. Packing up and moving to an area with low crime, low poverty rates, more residents with higher education, and high job growth potential is great for preppers, but it also appeals to just about anyone relocating, regardless of their motivation. Considering these factors tend to land you in an area with high employment rates, high incomes, and potential for growth and opportunity. Add in affordable land, cheap utilities, and other general benefits, and you’ve identified areas that are as appealing to survivalists as they are to anyone else looking for a change of scenery.

Wrapping Up: Major Insights and Key Takeaways

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After surveying over 2,300 individuals over 18 years of age and located in all 50 states across America, the Pro Mover Reviews team identified that residents in Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and New Mexico have the highest density of residents who identify as survivalists. These states are all prone to some kind of extreme weather, including hurricanes and tornadoes, which likely accounts for some level of resident preparedness. At the bottom of the list were Connecticut, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Maryland, and Kansas, all of which had less than 10% of residents identifying as preppers. The threat of natural disasters in these areas is generally less than in the most prepared states, which probably affects residents’ self-reported level of readiness for a catastrophe. Perhaps most importantly for our readers, many of the states that are considered the best places to live for survivalists also appeal to people looking to relocate, whether the relocation is inspired by a move for a career, new opportunity, or just for a change of pace and scenery. Higher rates of education among residents, low crime and poverty, abundant land and natural resources, and a high potential for job growth make for an ideal place to live for preppers and non-preppers alike. If you’re thinking of relocating, you can make your a whole lot easier by having a professional moving team behind you to help every step of the way. So, whether you’re heading to a survivalist state to prepare for the end of the world, or you’re simply looking for a more desirable place to live with more abundant opportunities, Pro Mover Reviews can help you get where you need to be.

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