North Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Barnes County

63BoltScore / 100
#48 of 53 in North Dakota

Barnes County is a solid bolthole (63/100). Its strengths are low extraction and seizure exposure and cheap to buy into (typical home $200k). The trade-offs: a short, cold growing season (41°F avg).

How Barnes County scores

Hazard Safety54
Freedom73
Food30
Isolation60
Sovereignty84
Water56
Affordability84
$200kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$2,861Land / acre
21.7"Annual rain
9.7% of yrsSevere drought
58 miNearest metro
7.2People / sq mi
21.9%Federal land
41°FAvg temp

Scout Barnes County

⛺Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →
Land for sale LandWatchHomes for sale Zillow

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Living off-grid in Barnes County, North Dakota

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

Barnes County is a solid bolthole (63/100). Its strengths: low extraction and seizure exposure and cheap to buy into (typical home $200k). Watch-outs: a short, cold growing season (41°F avg).

How much does land cost in Barnes County, North Dakota?

Land in Barnes County runs about $2,861 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Barnes County?

Barnes County gets about 21.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.7% of years.

How remote is Barnes County?

The nearest major metro is about 58 miles away, and population density is 7.2 people per square mile.

How Barnes compares in North Dakota

See all 53 North Dakota counties ranked →