New York · Off-grid & homestead potential

Tompkins County

49BoltScore / 100
#40 of 62 in New York

Tompkins County is a marginal bolthole (49/100). Its strengths are decent rainfall (39.9″/yr) and almost no federal land or extraction. The trade-offs: tighter state governance (24% Republican) and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How Tompkins County scores

Hazard Safety26
Freedom17
Food37
Isolation36
Sovereignty75
Water88
Affordability61
$353kTypical home
2.3%Property tax
$3,994Land / acre
39.9"Annual rain
2.5% of yrsSevere drought
42 miNearest metro
218.2People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
46.7°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Tompkins County, New York

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

Tompkins County is a marginal bolthole (49/100). Its strengths: decent rainfall (39.9″/yr) and almost no federal land or extraction. Watch-outs: tighter state governance (24% Republican) and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How much does land cost in Tompkins County, New York?

Land in Tompkins County runs about $3,994 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Tompkins County?

Tompkins County gets about 39.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.5% of years.

How remote is Tompkins County?

The nearest major metro is about 42 miles away, and population density is 218.2 people per square mile.

How Tompkins compares in New York

See all 62 New York counties ranked →