North Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Nelson County

70BoltScore / 100
#34 of 53 in North Dakota

Nelson County is a strong bolthole (70/100). Its strengths are cheap to buy into (typical home $150k) and low natural-disaster risk. The trade-offs: a short, cold growing season (39°F avg).

How Nelson County scores

Hazard Safety92
Freedom73
Food27
Isolation78
Sovereignty73
Water56
Affordability93
$150kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$2,048Land / acre
20.8"Annual rain
8.7% of yrsSevere drought
100 miNearest metro
3People / sq mi
41.8%Federal land
39°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Nelson County, North Dakota

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

Nelson County is a strong bolthole (70/100). Its strengths: cheap to buy into (typical home $150k) and low natural-disaster risk. Watch-outs: a short, cold growing season (39°F avg).

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

Land in Nelson County runs about $2,048 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Nelson County?

Nelson County gets about 20.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.7% of years.

How remote is Nelson County?

The nearest major metro is about 100 miles away, and population density is 3 people per square mile.

How Nelson compares in North Dakota

See all 53 North Dakota counties ranked →