Bolthole · Idaho

Best Places to Live in Idaho

Every Idaho county ranked by BoltScore — for land, water, freedom, and self-sufficiency. Lewis County leads at 70/100. No bunkers, no doom — just where the ground is worth standing on.

Nationally, Idaho ranks #35 for homesteading and #31 for off-grid living.

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Counties by BoltScore

    Off-grid & homestead laws in Idaho

    How Idaho treats the things that matter for living off-grid or homesteading. Scores feed the national rankings; 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 44 Idaho counties, ranked

    1. 1Lewis County70
    2. 2Caribou County68
    3. 3Power County66
    4. 4Clark County66
    5. 5Oneida County65
    6. 6Franklin County64
    7. 7Bear Lake County63
    8. 8Butte County63
    9. 9Benewah County62
    10. 10Clearwater County61
    11. 11Minidoka County61
    12. 12Nez Perce County61
    13. 13Latah County59
    14. 14Camas County59
    15. 15Lincoln County59
    16. 16Fremont County58
    17. 17Washington County57
    18. 18Cassia County57
    19. 19Teton County57
    20. 20Boundary County57
    21. 21Madison County57
    22. 22Bingham County56
    23. 23Payette County56
    24. 24Jerome County56
    25. 25Bannock County55
    26. 26Gooding County55
    27. 27Jefferson County55
    28. 28Gem County54
    29. 29Idaho County54
    30. 30Lemhi County53
    31. 31Adams County53
    32. 32Twin Falls County53
    33. 33Bonneville County51
    34. 34Shoshone County50
    35. 35Owyhee County50
    36. 36Boise County50
    37. 37Custer County50
    38. 38Elmore County49
    39. 39Valley County47
    40. 40Bonner County45
    41. 41Blaine County42
    42. 42Kootenai County39
    43. 43Canyon County38
    44. 44Ada County30

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