Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Michigan

Best Places to Live in Michigan

Every Michigan county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Emmet County leads at 89/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Michigan ranks #5 for homesteading and #3 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Michigan

    How Michigan 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 83 Michigan counties, ranked

    1. 1Emmet County89
    2. 2Houghton County88
    3. 3Missaukee County88
    4. 4Alger County87
    5. 5Antrim County86
    6. 6Benzie County86
    7. 7Mackinac County85
    8. 8Otsego County84
    9. 9Luce County84
    10. 10Menominee County84
    11. 11Osceola County84
    12. 12Alpena County83
    13. 13Gogebic County82
    14. 14Montmorency County82
    15. 15Iosco County82
    16. 16Charlevoix County82
    17. 17Baraga County81
    18. 18Newaygo County81
    19. 19Schoolcraft County81
    20. 20Chippewa County81
    21. 21Alcona County80
    22. 22Marquette County80
    23. 23Crawford County80
    24. 24Mason County80
    25. 25Oscoda County79
    26. 26Leelanau County79
    27. 27Lake County78
    28. 28Oceana County78
    29. 29Iron County78
    30. 30Sanilac County78
    31. 31Delta County78
    32. 32Manistee County78
    33. 33Grand Traverse County77
    34. 34Gladwin County77
    35. 35Cheboygan County76
    36. 36Ogemaw County76
    37. 37Clare County76
    38. 38Presque Isle County76
    39. 39Kalkaska County75
    40. 40Wexford County75
    41. 41Roscommon County75
    42. 42Arenac County75
    43. 43Dickinson County75
    44. 44Huron County75
    45. 45Keweenaw County75
    46. 46Lapeer County74
    47. 47Isabella County73
    48. 48Montcalm County70
    49. 49Ontonagon County69
    50. 50Tuscola County68
    51. 51Mecosta County68
    52. 52Hillsdale County66
    53. 53St. Clair County65
    54. 54Branch County63
    55. 55Van Buren County63
    56. 56Muskegon County61
    57. 57Midland County61
    58. 58Bay County60
    59. 59St. Joseph County60
    60. 60Ionia County60
    61. 61Allegan County57
    62. 62Jackson County57
    63. 63Lenawee County56
    64. 64Clinton County56
    65. 65Gratiot County56
    66. 66Calhoun County55
    67. 67Barry County55
    68. 68Kalamazoo County54
    69. 69Kent County53
    70. 70Saginaw County53
    71. 71Shiawassee County52
    72. 72Ottawa County51
    73. 73Berrien County51
    74. 74Cass County50
    75. 75Eaton County48
    76. 76Genesee County48
    77. 77Livingston County48
    78. 78Washtenaw County45
    79. 79Ingham County45
    80. 80Oakland County43
    81. 81Macomb County42
    82. 82Wayne County40
    83. 83Monroe County36

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