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. Houghton County leads at 89/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Michigan ranks #3 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. 1Houghton County89
    2. 2Charlevoix County88
    3. 3Missaukee County86
    4. 4Benzie County84
    5. 5Mackinac County83
    6. 6Antrim County83
    7. 7Emmet County83
    8. 8Otsego County83
    9. 9Menominee County82
    10. 10Gogebic County82
    11. 11Montmorency County82
    12. 12Alpena County82
    13. 13Chippewa County81
    14. 14Osceola County80
    15. 15Luce County80
    16. 16Gladwin County80
    17. 17Schoolcraft County79
    18. 18Alger County79
    19. 19Alcona County79
    20. 20Newaygo County79
    21. 21Marquette County79
    22. 22Crawford County78
    23. 23Mason County78
    24. 24Delta County78
    25. 25Iosco County78
    26. 26Baraga County78
    27. 27Oscoda County77
    28. 28Leelanau County77
    29. 29Iron County77
    30. 30Lake County77
    31. 31Oceana County76
    32. 32Grand Traverse County76
    33. 33Manistee County76
    34. 34Keweenaw County75
    35. 35Cheboygan County75
    36. 36Ogemaw County74
    37. 37Presque Isle County74
    38. 38Clare County74
    39. 39Kalkaska County74
    40. 40Dickinson County73
    41. 41Wexford County73
    42. 42Roscommon County73
    43. 43Arenac County73
    44. 44Huron County73
    45. 45Lapeer County71
    46. 46Isabella County71
    47. 47Sanilac County70
    48. 48Montcalm County68
    49. 49Ontonagon County67
    50. 50Mecosta County66
    51. 51Tuscola County65
    52. 52Hillsdale County63
    53. 53St. Clair County63
    54. 54Van Buren County61
    55. 55Branch County60
    56. 56Muskegon County60
    57. 57Midland County59
    58. 58Bay County58
    59. 59St. Joseph County58
    60. 60Ionia County57
    61. 61Allegan County55
    62. 62Lenawee County53
    63. 63Clinton County53
    64. 64Gratiot County53
    65. 65Barry County53
    66. 66Calhoun County53
    67. 67Kalamazoo County52
    68. 68Kent County52
    69. 69Jackson County51
    70. 70Saginaw County51
    71. 71Ottawa County50
    72. 72Shiawassee County49
    73. 73Berrien County48
    74. 74Cass County48
    75. 75Genesee County46
    76. 76Eaton County46
    77. 77Livingston County46
    78. 78Washtenaw County43
    79. 79Ingham County43
    80. 80Oakland County42
    81. 81Macomb County41
    82. 82Wayne County39
    83. 83Monroe County34

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