Tennessee · Off-grid & homestead potential

Shelby County

53BoltScore / 100
#90 of 95 in Tennessee

Shelby County is a solid bolthole (53/100). Its strengths are abundant rainfall (55.4″/yr) with little drought and productive soil and a long growing season (61.9°F avg). The trade-offs: little isolation — a major metro is just 10 mi away and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How Shelby County scores

Hazard Safety1
Freedom69
Food76
Isolation0
Sovereignty68
Water86
Affordability71
$222kTypical home
1%Property tax
$5,264Land / acre
55.4"Annual rain
6.6% of yrsSevere drought
10 miNearest metro
1,196.6People / sq mi
1.2%Federal land
61.9°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Shelby County, Tennessee

Is Shelby County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Shelby County is a solid bolthole (53/100). Its strengths: abundant rainfall (55.4″/yr) with little drought and productive soil and a long growing season (61.9°F avg). Watch-outs: little isolation — a major metro is just 10 mi away and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How much does land cost in Shelby County, Tennessee?

Land in Shelby County runs about $5,264 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Shelby County?

Shelby County gets about 55.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.6% of years.

How remote is Shelby County?

The nearest major metro is about 10 miles away, and population density is 1,196.6 people per square mile.

How Shelby compares in Tennessee

See all 95 Tennessee counties ranked →