Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Idaho

Best Places to Live in Idaho

Every Idaho county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Latah County leads at 79/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Idaho ranks #24 for homesteading and #13 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Idaho

    How Idaho treats the things that matter for living off-grid or homesteading. State law also feeds each county’s admin, autonomy, and carry factors; rules often vary by county.

    General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.

    All 44 Idaho counties, ranked

    1. 1Latah County79
    2. 2Benewah County74
    3. 3Nez Perce County74
    4. 4Boundary County73
    5. 5Lewis County71
    6. 6Idaho County71
    7. 7Bonner County70
    8. 8Bannock County70
    9. 9Madison County70
    10. 10Teton County69
    11. 11Bonneville County69
    12. 12Caribou County69
    13. 13Gem County69
    14. 14Clearwater County68
    15. 15Bear Lake County66
    16. 16Kootenai County66
    17. 17Shoshone County64
    18. 18Lemhi County63
    19. 19Franklin County62
    20. 20Fremont County62
    21. 21Washington County62
    22. 22Custer County62
    23. 23Boise County62
    24. 24Valley County61
    25. 25Elmore County60
    26. 26Camas County59
    27. 27Adams County59
    28. 28Power County57
    29. 29Oneida County53
    30. 30Twin Falls County53
    31. 31Cassia County52
    32. 32Blaine County52
    33. 33Bingham County49
    34. 34Jefferson County47
    35. 35Payette County46
    36. 36Clark County44
    37. 37Butte County40
    38. 38Owyhee County40
    39. 39Minidoka County39
    40. 40Ada County37
    41. 41Jerome County37
    42. 42Canyon County34
    43. 43Lincoln County32
    44. 44Gooding County30

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