Iowa · Off-grid & homestead potential

Palo Alto County

68BoltScore / 100
#16 of 99 in Iowa

Palo Alto County is a strong bolthole (68/100). Its strengths are low natural-disaster risk and deep isolation — 108 mi to the nearest city.

How Palo Alto County scores

Hazard Safety84
Freedom63
Food55
Isolation81
Sovereignty72
Water65
Affordability57
$174kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$9,830Land / acre
32.7"Annual rain
19.4% of yrsSevere drought
108 miNearest metro
15.6People / sq mi
2.2%Federal land
46.3°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Palo Alto County, Iowa

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

Palo Alto County is a strong bolthole (68/100). Its strengths: low natural-disaster risk and deep isolation — 108 mi to the nearest city.

How much does land cost in Palo Alto County, Iowa?

Land in Palo Alto County runs about $9,830 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Palo Alto County?

Palo Alto County gets about 32.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 19.4% of years.

How remote is Palo Alto County?

The nearest major metro is about 108 miles away, and population density is 15.6 people per square mile.

How Palo Alto compares in Iowa

See all 99 Iowa counties ranked →