Illinois · Off-grid & homestead potential

Lake County

40BoltScore / 100
#100 of 102 in Illinois

Lake County is a marginal bolthole (40/100). Its strengths are low extraction and seizure exposure and decent rainfall (36.8″/yr). The trade-offs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and 25 mi from the nearest metro.

How Lake County scores

Hazard Safety4
Freedom35
Food56
Isolation6
Sovereignty83
Water78
Affordability18
$397kTypical home
2.7%Property tax
$15,913Land / acre
36.8"Annual rain
6.6% of yrsSevere drought
25 miNearest metro
1,597.7People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
48.7°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Lake County, Illinois

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

Lake County is a marginal bolthole (40/100). Its strengths: low extraction and seizure exposure and decent rainfall (36.8″/yr). Watch-outs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and 25 mi from the nearest metro.

How much does land cost in Lake County, Illinois?

Land in Lake County runs about $15,913 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Lake County?

Lake County gets about 36.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.6% of years.

How remote is Lake County?

The nearest major metro is about 25 miles away, and population density is 1,597.7 people per square mile.

How Lake compares in Illinois

See all 102 Illinois counties ranked →