Iowa · Off-grid & homestead potential

Story County

53BoltScore / 100
#94 of 99 in Iowa

Story County is a solid bolthole (53/100). Its strengths are almost no federal land or extraction and decent rainfall (36.3″/yr). The trade-offs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and 33 mi from the nearest metro.

How Story County scores

Hazard Safety31
Freedom51
Food60
Isolation36
Sovereignty79
Water73
Affordability38
$296kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$10,914Land / acre
36.3"Annual rain
13.2% of yrsSevere drought
33 miNearest metro
172.2People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
48.5°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Story County, Iowa

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

Story County is a solid bolthole (53/100). Its strengths: almost no federal land or extraction and decent rainfall (36.3″/yr). Watch-outs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and 33 mi from the nearest metro.

How much does land cost in Story County, Iowa?

Land in Story County runs about $10,914 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Story County?

Story County gets about 36.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 13.2% of years.

How remote is Story County?

The nearest major metro is about 33 miles away, and population density is 172.2 people per square mile.

How Story compares in Iowa

See all 99 Iowa counties ranked →