California · Off-grid & homestead potential

Sierra County

49BoltScore / 100
#2 of 58 in California

Sierra County is a marginal bolthole (49/100). Its strengths are decent rainfall (45.8″/yr) and cheap to buy into (typical home $333k). The trade-offs: 70.7% of it owned by the federal government and poor cropland soil.

How Sierra County scores

Hazard Safety68
Freedom40
Food23
Isolation51
Sovereignty21
Water72
Affordability70
$333kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$2,427Land / acre
45.8"Annual rain
36.3% of yrsSevere drought
36 miNearest metro
3.4People / sq mi
70.7%Federal land
47.6°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Sierra County, California

Is Sierra County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Sierra County is a marginal bolthole (49/100). Its strengths: decent rainfall (45.8″/yr) and cheap to buy into (typical home $333k). Watch-outs: 70.7% of it owned by the federal government and poor cropland soil.

How much does land cost in Sierra County, California?

Land in Sierra County runs about $2,427 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Sierra County?

Sierra County gets about 45.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 36.3% of years.

How remote is Sierra County?

The nearest major metro is about 36 miles away, and population density is 3.4 people per square mile.

How Sierra compares in California

See all 58 California counties ranked →