Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · West Virginia

Best Places to Live in West Virginia

Every West Virginia county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Preston County leads at 80/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, West Virginia ranks #15 for homesteading and #12 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in West Virginia

    How West Virginia 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 55 West Virginia counties, ranked

    1. 1Preston County80
    2. 2Monroe County75
    3. 3Webster County72
    4. 4Nicholas County71
    5. 5Upshur County70
    6. 6Pocahontas County70
    7. 7Barbour County69
    8. 8Summers County69
    9. 9Lewis County68
    10. 10Mercer County68
    11. 11Hampshire County68
    12. 12Ritchie County68
    13. 13Marshall County68
    14. 14Doddridge County68
    15. 15Grant County68
    16. 16Tyler County68
    17. 17Braxton County67
    18. 18Jackson County67
    19. 19Mason County67
    20. 20Wirt County67
    21. 21Calhoun County67
    22. 22Pleasants County67
    23. 23Roane County67
    24. 24Clay County66
    25. 25Mineral County66
    26. 26Morgan County66
    27. 27Greenbrier County66
    28. 28Wyoming County66
    29. 29Gilmer County66
    30. 30Randolph County65
    31. 31Tucker County64
    32. 32Marion County64
    33. 33Raleigh County64
    34. 34Pendleton County64
    35. 35McDowell County63
    36. 36Fayette County63
    37. 37Logan County63
    38. 38Wetzel County62
    39. 39Hardy County62
    40. 40Wayne County61
    41. 41Wood County61
    42. 42Lincoln County60
    43. 43Taylor County60
    44. 44Harrison County59
    45. 45Boone County58
    46. 46Monongalia County58
    47. 47Cabell County56
    48. 48Brooke County56
    49. 49Putnam County56
    50. 50Mingo County54
    51. 51Hancock County54
    52. 52Kanawha County54
    53. 53Ohio County53
    54. 54Berkeley County52
    55. 55Jefferson County45

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