North Dakota · Off-grid & homestead potential

Ward County

62BoltScore / 100
#49 of 53 in North Dakota

Ward County is a solid bolthole (62/100). Its strengths are deep isolation — 235 mi to the nearest city and cheap to buy into (typical home $281k). The trade-offs: a short, cold growing season (40.5°F avg) and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How Ward County scores

Hazard Safety35
Freedom76
Food25
Isolation97
Sovereignty73
Water50
Affordability77
$281kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$2,272Land / acre
17.6"Annual rain
11.2% of yrsSevere drought
235 miNearest metro
33.9People / sq mi
23.2%Federal land
40.5°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Ward County, North Dakota

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

Ward County is a solid bolthole (62/100). Its strengths: deep isolation — 235 mi to the nearest city and cheap to buy into (typical home $281k). Watch-outs: a short, cold growing season (40.5°F avg) and elevated natural-hazard exposure.

How much does land cost in Ward County, North Dakota?

Land in Ward County runs about $2,272 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Ward County?

Ward County gets about 17.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.2% of years.

How remote is Ward County?

The nearest major metro is about 235 miles away, and population density is 33.9 people per square mile.

How Ward compares in North Dakota

See all 53 North Dakota counties ranked →