Bolthole Index

Wisconsin · Off-grid & homestead potential

Clark County

74Index Score / 100
#15 of 72 in Wisconsin

Clark County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths are a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and manageable long-term carry cost.

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Clark County in Wisconsin

74
County map
Clark County highlighted among the Wisconsin counties · colored by Index score

How Clark County scores

Seclusion57100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency67100% ev.
Admin Boringness44100% ev.
Durability69100% ev.
Property Autonomy70100% ev.
Carry Cost69100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$222kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$5,034Land / acre
33.6"Annual rain
1.2% of yrsSevere drought
0.9 / yr (+0.9)Mid-century 100°F days
13.1 daysMid-century dry spell
1.79" (+10.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.68×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,067Home insurance / yr
1.3% / yrInsurance growth
0.5%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
24,833People within 30 min
1,087,283People within 2 hr
21,364Radius comparison (15 mi)
28.7People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
99%Land at 15% slope or less
0.3%Septic soil without severe limits
2,166 acWorkable land screen
43.9%Wooded land
40.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
43.1°FAvg temp

Scout Clark County

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Property hunt

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A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

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Building & land-use rules in Clark County

What it takes to build here — permits, zoning, and septic — scouted from Clark County’s own official sources.

  • Building permitRequired

    Wisconsin's statewide Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320-325) mandates a Uniform Building Permit for every new one- and two-family dwelling, obtained from the municipality or a certified UDC inspection agency.

    Wisconsin DSPS - One- & Two-Family Uniform Dwelling Code ↗
  • County zoningYes

    County FAQ states Clark County has 'a mosaic of county and town zoning' administered by the Planning & Zoning Department in unincorporated areas.

    Clark County Planning & Zoning FAQ ↗
  • Septic permittingClark County Planning, Zoning & Land Information Department

    County FAQ and forms confirm a county sanitary permit is required to install a POWTS/sanitation system, administered by county Planning & Zoning under WI SPS 383.

    Clark County Planning & Zoning FAQ ↗
  • Owner-builderAllowed

    Wisconsin DSPS states that a UDC construction and erosion-control permit may be taken out by the owner who currently occupies, or will occupy, the home. The owner-builder allowance does not waive required permits; new-home plumbing and electrical work generally must be performed under the applicable licensed professionals, while an owner-occupant may install the heating system.

    Wisconsin DSPS - Building a Home in Wisconsin (UDC Guide) ↗
  • Building inspectionsRequired

    Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code applies statewide to new one- and two-family dwellings; the official guide requires a building permit and phase inspections enforced by municipal, county, or state inspectors.

    Wisconsin DSPS - Information on Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code ↗
  • Occupancy certificateNot published

    Not published on an official source — confirm with the county.

  • Septic permitNot published

    Not published on an official source — confirm with the county.

  • Septic inspectionNot published

    Not published on an official source — confirm with the county.

  • Off-grid sanitationNot published

    Not published on an official source — confirm with the county.

Always confirm current rules with Clark County Planning, Zoning & Land Information Department before you buy or build. Scouted Aug 2026 from official county sources.

Living off-grid in Clark County, Wisconsin

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

Clark County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and manageable long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in Clark County, Wisconsin?

Clark County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Clark County Planning, Zoning & Land Information Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Clark County, Wisconsin?

Land in Clark County runs about $5,034 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Clark County?

Clark County gets about 33.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.2% of years.

How remote is Clark County?

A representative private-land location has about 24,833 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,087,283 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Clark County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

WaterCrystal QuestFilter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.PowerBluettiSolar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.

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How Clark compares in Wisconsin

Compare side-by-side →See all 72 Wisconsin counties ranked →