Colorado · Off-grid & homestead potential

Otero County

57BoltScore / 100
#22 of 64 in Colorado

Otero County is a solid bolthole (57/100). Its strengths are cheap to buy into (typical home $161k) and strong economic & personal freedom (60% Republican). The trade-offs: poor cropland soil and arid land — only 13.4″ of rain a year, in severe drought 37.5% of years.

How Otero County scores

Hazard Safety49
Freedom76
Food27
Isolation58
Sovereignty68
Water28
Affordability93
$161kTypical home
0.3%Property tax
$1,646Land / acre
13.4"Annual rain
37.5% of yrsSevere drought
53 miNearest metro
14.4People / sq mi
23.4%Federal land
54°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Otero County, Colorado

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

Otero County is a solid bolthole (57/100). Its strengths: cheap to buy into (typical home $161k) and strong economic & personal freedom (60% Republican). Watch-outs: poor cropland soil and arid land — only 13.4″ of rain a year, in severe drought 37.5% of years.

How much does land cost in Otero County, Colorado?

Land in Otero County runs about $1,646 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Otero County?

Otero County gets about 13.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 37.5% of years.

How remote is Otero County?

The nearest major metro is about 53 miles away, and population density is 14.4 people per square mile.

How Otero compares in Colorado

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