Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · Wisconsin

Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Every Wisconsin county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Menominee County leads at 81/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Wisconsin ranks #14 for homesteading and #13 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Wisconsin

    How Wisconsin 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 72 Wisconsin counties, ranked

    1. 1Menominee County81
    2. 2Grant County79
    3. 3Door County79
    4. 4Lincoln County79
    5. 5Iron County78
    6. 6Vilas County78
    7. 7Marinette County77
    8. 8Taylor County77
    9. 9Langlade County77
    10. 10Oconto County76
    11. 11Ashland County76
    12. 12Bayfield County76
    13. 13Wood County75
    14. 14Clark County75
    15. 15Rusk County75
    16. 16Price County75
    17. 17Florence County75
    18. 18Shawano County75
    19. 19Washburn County75
    20. 20Polk County75
    21. 21Richland County74
    22. 22Buffalo County74
    23. 23Oneida County73
    24. 24Marathon County73
    25. 25Vernon County73
    26. 26Iowa County73
    27. 27Barron County73
    28. 28Burnett County73
    29. 29Crawford County72
    30. 30Jackson County72
    31. 31Chippewa County72
    32. 32Forest County71
    33. 33Douglas County71
    34. 34Juneau County71
    35. 35Pepin County70
    36. 36Waushara County70
    37. 37Sawyer County70
    38. 38Waupaca County70
    39. 39Kewaunee County70
    40. 40Adams County69
    41. 41Marquette County68
    42. 42Pierce County68
    43. 43Monroe County68
    44. 44La Crosse County67
    45. 45Green Lake County66
    46. 46Eau Claire County66
    47. 47Lafayette County66
    48. 48Portage County65
    49. 49Dunn County64
    50. 50Trempealeau County64
    51. 51Manitowoc County61
    52. 52St. Croix County61
    53. 53Columbia County60
    54. 54Sauk County60
    55. 55Green County59
    56. 56Calumet County58
    57. 57Sheboygan County57
    58. 58Fond du Lac County56
    59. 59Brown County55
    60. 60Outagamie County54
    61. 61Dane County52
    62. 62Dodge County49
    63. 63Winnebago County49
    64. 64Washington County47
    65. 65Rock County45
    66. 66Ozaukee County45
    67. 67Jefferson County45
    68. 68Walworth County41
    69. 69Milwaukee County39
    70. 70Waukesha County38
    71. 71Kenosha County32
    72. 72Racine County32

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