Bolthole Index

Wisconsin · Off-grid & homestead potential

Grant County

78Index Score / 100
#2 of 72 in Wisconsin

Grant County scores 78/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths are mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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County locator

Grant County in Wisconsin

78
County map
Grant County highlighted among the Wisconsin counties · colored by Index score

How Grant County scores

Seclusion67100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency66100% ev.
Admin Boringness46100% ev.
Durability72100% ev.
Property Autonomy70100% ev.
Carry Cost65100% 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 →

$230kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$6,306Land / acre
37.9"Annual rain
5.2% of yrsSevere drought
2.4 / yr (+2.3)Mid-century 100°F days
14.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.81" (+8.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.74×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,229Home insurance / yr
3.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.57%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
4,882People within 30 min
930,724People within 2 hr
23,769Radius comparison (15 mi)
44.8People / sq mi
2%Federal land
62.8%Land at 15% slope or less
2.8%Septic soil without severe limits
19,567 acWorkable land screen
28.6%Wooded land
49.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
47.1°FAvg temp

Scout Grant County

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Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

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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 Grant County

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

  • Building permitRequired

    Wisconsin's statewide Uniform Dwelling Code requires a building permit for new 1-2 family dwellings; Grant County administers zoning and UDC-related permits through its Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning Department.

    Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning
  • County zoningYes

    Grant County has adopted a countywide Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance with a zoning permit application process.

    Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning
  • Septic permittingGrant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning Department

    County reviews and issues POWTS/sanitary permits and inspects private onsite waste treatment systems under its Chapter 225 ordinance (per WI DSPS).

    Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning
  • 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 inspectionsNot published

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

  • 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 Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning Department before you buy or build. Scouted Aug 2026 from official county sources.

Living off-grid in Grant County, Wisconsin

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

Grant County scores 78/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Grant County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning 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 Grant County, Wisconsin?

Land in Grant County runs about $6,306 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Grant County?

Grant County gets about 37.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.2% of years.

How remote is Grant County?

A representative private-land location has about 4,882 people within a 30-minute drive and 930,724 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 Grant 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 Grant compares in Wisconsin

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