Iowa · Off-grid & homestead potential

Shelby County

66BoltScore / 100
#23 of 99 in Iowa

Shelby County is a strong bolthole (66/100). Its strengths are almost no federal land or extraction and low natural-disaster risk.

How Shelby County scores

Hazard Safety77
Freedom63
Food61
Isolation55
Sovereignty92
Water60
Affordability54
$215kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$9,443Land / acre
34.8"Annual rain
12.3% of yrsSevere drought
50 miNearest metro
20People / sq mi
0%Federal land
48.7°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Shelby County, Iowa

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

Shelby County is a strong bolthole (66/100). Its strengths: almost no federal land or extraction and low natural-disaster risk.

How much does land cost in Shelby County, Iowa?

Land in Shelby County runs about $9,443 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Shelby County?

Shelby County gets about 34.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 12.3% of years.

How remote is Shelby County?

The nearest major metro is about 50 miles away, and population density is 20 people per square mile.

How Shelby compares in Iowa

See all 99 Iowa counties ranked →