Iowa · Off-grid & homestead potential

Black Hawk County

54BoltScore / 100
#93 of 99 in Iowa

Black Hawk County is a solid bolthole (54/100). Its strengths are low extraction and seizure exposure and decent rainfall (37.1″/yr). The trade-offs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and real distance from any metro (50 mi).

How Black Hawk County scores

Hazard Safety23
Freedom53
Food58
Isolation38
Sovereignty78
Water75
Affordability54
$189kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$9,980Land / acre
37.1"Annual rain
11.8% of yrsSevere drought
50 miNearest metro
230.6People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
47.3°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Black Hawk County, Iowa

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

Black Hawk County is a solid bolthole (54/100). Its strengths: low extraction and seizure exposure and decent rainfall (37.1″/yr). Watch-outs: elevated natural-hazard exposure and real distance from any metro (50 mi).

How much does land cost in Black Hawk County, Iowa?

Land in Black Hawk County runs about $9,980 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Black Hawk County?

Black Hawk County gets about 37.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.8% of years.

How remote is Black Hawk County?

The nearest major metro is about 50 miles away, and population density is 230.6 people per square mile.

How Black Hawk compares in Iowa

See all 99 Iowa counties ranked →