Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Washington

Best Places to Live in Washington

Every Washington county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Wahkiakum County leads at 77/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Washington ranks #31 for homesteading and #27 for off-grid living.

Home
Washington
0 counties

Loading Washington…

Tap a county to see its score

LowHigh

Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Washington

    How Washington 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 39 Washington counties, ranked

    1. 1Wahkiakum County77
    2. 2Stevens County70
    3. 3Cowlitz County69
    4. 4Pacific County67
    5. 5Lewis County66
    6. 6Grays Harbor County65
    7. 7Pend Oreille County65
    8. 8Mason County65
    9. 9Jefferson County65
    10. 10Asotin County64
    11. 11San Juan County64
    12. 12Klickitat County64
    13. 13Skagit County64
    14. 14Clallam County64
    15. 15Ferry County63
    16. 16Spokane County62
    17. 17Whatcom County61
    18. 18Columbia County59
    19. 19Okanogan County59
    20. 20Kittitas County59
    21. 21Garfield County58
    22. 22Skamania County57
    23. 23Island County57
    24. 24Yakima County56
    25. 25Whitman County53
    26. 26Walla Walla County52
    27. 27Chelan County50
    28. 28Thurston County50
    29. 29Pierce County49
    30. 30Clark County49
    31. 31Douglas County47
    32. 32Kitsap County45
    33. 33Lincoln County43
    34. 34Grant County40
    35. 35Snohomish County38
    36. 36Adams County38
    37. 37Franklin County38
    38. 38Benton County37
    39. 39King County31

    ← All states