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 66/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, North Dakota ranks #43 for homesteading and #29 for off-grid living.

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    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 County66
    2. 2Ramsey County58
    3. 3Cass County58
    4. 4Griggs County57
    5. 5Richland County57
    6. 6Nelson County57
    7. 7Bottineau County57
    8. 8Traill County56
    9. 9Pembina County55
    10. 10Grand Forks County55
    11. 11Benson County55
    12. 12Stark County54
    13. 13Ransom County54
    14. 14Morton County54
    15. 15Walsh County53
    16. 16Cavalier County53
    17. 17Sioux County53
    18. 18Oliver County52
    19. 19Wells County50
    20. 20Burleigh County50
    21. 21Grant County50
    22. 22LaMoure County50
    23. 23Williams County50
    24. 24Dunn County49
    25. 25Sheridan County49
    26. 26Eddy County49
    27. 27Renville County49
    28. 28Emmons County48
    29. 29Burke County48
    30. 30Sargent County48
    31. 31Mercer County48
    32. 32McHenry County46
    33. 33Mountrail County46
    34. 34Foster County45
    35. 35Ward County45
    36. 36McLean County44
    37. 37Golden Valley County44
    38. 38Pierce County44
    39. 39Towner County44
    40. 40Billings County43
    41. 41McKenzie County43
    42. 42Steele County43
    43. 43Dickey County43
    44. 44Adams County43
    45. 45Hettinger County42
    46. 46Barnes County42
    47. 47Stutsman County42
    48. 48Bowman County42
    49. 49Slope County41
    50. 50Divide County41
    51. 51McIntosh County39
    52. 52Kidder County39
    53. 53Logan County39

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