Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · North Dakota

Best Places to Live in North Dakota

Every North Dakota county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Rolette County leads at 68/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, North Dakota ranks #40 for homesteading and #27 for off-grid living.

Home
North Dakota
0 counties

Loading North Dakota…

Tap a county to see its score

LowHigh

Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in North Dakota

    How North Dakota 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 53 North Dakota counties, ranked

    1. 1Rolette County68
    2. 2Cass County60
    3. 3Richland County59
    4. 4Traill County58
    5. 5Bottineau County58
    6. 6Griggs County58
    7. 7Ramsey County57
    8. 8Nelson County57
    9. 9Pembina County57
    10. 10Grand Forks County57
    11. 11Benson County56
    12. 12Stark County55
    13. 13Walsh County55
    14. 14Ransom County55
    15. 15Morton County54
    16. 16Cavalier County54
    17. 17Sioux County53
    18. 18Burleigh County52
    19. 19Wells County52
    20. 20LaMoure County51
    21. 21Oliver County51
    22. 22Williams County51
    23. 23Sheridan County51
    24. 24Grant County50
    25. 25Dunn County50
    26. 26Eddy County50
    27. 27Sargent County50
    28. 28Renville County49
    29. 29Burke County49
    30. 30Emmons County48
    31. 31Mercer County48
    32. 32McHenry County47
    33. 33Mountrail County47
    34. 34Foster County47
    35. 35Ward County46
    36. 36McLean County46
    37. 37Golden Valley County45
    38. 38Towner County45
    39. 39Pierce County45
    40. 40McKenzie County45
    41. 41Steele County45
    42. 42Dickey County44
    43. 43Adams County44
    44. 44Billings County44
    45. 45Barnes County43
    46. 46Stutsman County43
    47. 47Hettinger County43
    48. 48Bowman County42
    49. 49Slope County42
    50. 50Divide County41
    51. 51McIntosh County40
    52. 52Logan County40
    53. 53Kidder County40

    ← All states