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 79/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, Wisconsin ranks #15 for homesteading and #17 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 County79
    2. 2Grant County78
    3. 3Door County77
    4. 4Lincoln County76
    5. 5Iron County76
    6. 6Vilas County76
    7. 7Bayfield County76
    8. 8Marinette County76
    9. 9Taylor County76
    10. 10Langlade County75
    11. 11Ashland County75
    12. 12Oconto County74
    13. 13Rusk County74
    14. 14Price County74
    15. 15Clark County74
    16. 16Wood County74
    17. 17Shawano County73
    18. 18Washburn County73
    19. 19Florence County73
    20. 20Polk County73
    21. 21Richland County72
    22. 22Oneida County72
    23. 23Buffalo County72
    24. 24Marathon County71
    25. 25Vernon County71
    26. 26Burnett County71
    27. 27Barron County71
    28. 28Iowa County71
    29. 29Crawford County70
    30. 30Jackson County70
    31. 31Chippewa County70
    32. 32Forest County70
    33. 33Douglas County69
    34. 34Juneau County69
    35. 35Sawyer County68
    36. 36Pepin County68
    37. 37Waushara County68
    38. 38Waupaca County68
    39. 39Kewaunee County67
    40. 40Adams County67
    41. 41Marquette County66
    42. 42Monroe County66
    43. 43Pierce County66
    44. 44La Crosse County65
    45. 45Green Lake County64
    46. 46Eau Claire County64
    47. 47Lafayette County64
    48. 48Portage County63
    49. 49Dunn County62
    50. 50Trempealeau County62
    51. 51Manitowoc County59
    52. 52Sauk County58
    53. 53St. Croix County58
    54. 54Columbia County58
    55. 55Green County56
    56. 56Calumet County56
    57. 57Sheboygan County54
    58. 58Fond du Lac County53
    59. 59Brown County53
    60. 60Outagamie County52
    61. 61Dane County50
    62. 62Winnebago County47
    63. 63Dodge County47
    64. 64Washington County45
    65. 65Ozaukee County43
    66. 66Rock County42
    67. 67Jefferson County42
    68. 68Walworth County39
    69. 69Milwaukee County38
    70. 70Waukesha County36
    71. 71Kenosha County30
    72. 72Racine County30

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