California · Off-grid & homestead potential

Alpine County

46BoltScore / 100
#5 of 58 in California

Alpine County is a marginal bolthole (46/100). Its strengths are low natural-disaster risk and real distance from any metro (62 mi). The trade-offs: a short, cold growing season (44.4°F avg) and 93% of it owned by the federal government.

How Alpine County scores

Hazard Safety89
Freedom29
Food19
Isolation62
Sovereignty25
Water58
Affordability38
$518kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$4,950Land / acre
36"Annual rain
37.2% of yrsSevere drought
62 miNearest metro
1.5People / sq mi
93%Federal land
44.4°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Alpine County, California

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

Alpine County is a marginal bolthole (46/100). Its strengths: low natural-disaster risk and real distance from any metro (62 mi). Watch-outs: a short, cold growing season (44.4°F avg) and 93% of it owned by the federal government.

How much does land cost in Alpine County, California?

Land in Alpine County runs about $4,950 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Alpine County?

Alpine County gets about 36" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 37.2% of years.

How remote is Alpine County?

The nearest major metro is about 62 miles away, and population density is 1.5 people per square mile.

How Alpine compares in California

See all 58 California counties ranked →