Bolthole Index

Wisconsin · Off-grid & homestead potential

Outagamie County

52Index Score / 100
#60 of 72 in Wisconsin

Outagamie County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths are 20 operating mines and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. The trade-offs: about 314,048 people within a 30-minute drive.

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County locator

Outagamie County in Wisconsin

52
County map
Outagamie County highlighted among the Wisconsin counties · colored by Index score

How Outagamie County scores

Seclusion22100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency56100% ev.
Admin Boringness44100% ev.
Durability80100% ev.
Property Autonomy70100% ev.
Carry Cost57100% 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 →

$347kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$7,559Land / acre
33"Annual rain
0.2% of yrsSevere drought
1.4 / yr (+1.3)Mid-century 100°F days
12.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.44" (+8.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.62×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,068Home insurance / yr
1.1% / yrInsurance growth
1.08%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
314,048People within 30 min
2,666,368People within 2 hr
199,351Radius comparison (15 mi)
303.1People / sq mi
0.4%Federal land
98.8%Land at 15% slope or less
9.3%Septic soil without severe limits
37,565 acWorkable land screen
24.9%Wooded land
41.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
45.1°FAvg temp

Scout Outagamie County

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Property hunt

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Building & land-use rules in Outagamie County

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

  • Building permitRequired

    Under Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code every new one- and two-family dwelling needs a Wisconsin Uniform Building Permit; issued by the municipal/town or county building inspector.

    Wisconsin DSPS - Uniform Dwelling Code ↗
  • County zoningYes

    Outagamie County administers county zoning (Code of Ordinances Chapter 54) through its Development & Land Services department.

    Outagamie County Code of Ordinances (Municode) ↗
  • Septic permittingOutagamie County Development & Land Services (POWTS/Sanitary)

    A county sanitary permit is required to install a new or replacement Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS), issued by the county Development & Land Services department.

    Outagamie County Land Use, Zoning and Sanitary ↗
  • 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 Outagamie County Development & Land Services before you buy or build. Scouted Aug 2026 from official county sources.

Living off-grid in Outagamie County, Wisconsin

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

Outagamie County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: 20 operating mines and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 314,048 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Outagamie County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Outagamie County Development & Land Services (POWTS/Sanitary). 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 Outagamie County, Wisconsin?

Land in Outagamie County runs about $7,559 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Outagamie County?

Outagamie County gets about 33" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 0.2% of years.

How remote is Outagamie County?

A representative private-land location has about 314,048 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,666,368 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie compares in Wisconsin

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