Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Oregon

Best Places to Live in Oregon

Every Oregon county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Umatilla County leads at 70/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Oregon ranks #35 for homesteading and #28 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Oregon

    How Oregon 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 36 Oregon counties, ranked

    1. 1Umatilla County70
    2. 2Union County68
    3. 3Lane County67
    4. 4Jefferson County66
    5. 5Tillamook County66
    6. 6Lincoln County63
    7. 7Crook County63
    8. 8Klamath County62
    9. 9Wallowa County62
    10. 10Coos County62
    11. 11Clackamas County61
    12. 12Deschutes County61
    13. 13Polk County61
    14. 14Hood River County60
    15. 15Morrow County60
    16. 16Washington County60
    17. 17Columbia County59
    18. 18Benton County59
    19. 19Baker County59
    20. 20Clatsop County59
    21. 21Wasco County59
    22. 22Douglas County58
    23. 23Grant County57
    24. 24Jackson County57
    25. 25Josephine County56
    26. 26Curry County55
    27. 27Yamhill County55
    28. 28Wheeler County53
    29. 29Lake County50
    30. 30Linn County49
    31. 31Marion County44
    32. 32Harney County40
    33. 33Malheur County39
    34. 34Multnomah County36
    35. 35Sherman County35
    36. 36Gilliam County34

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