Virginia · Off-grid & homestead potential

Essex County

72BoltScore / 100
#26 of 133 in Virginia

Essex County is a strong bolthole (72/100). Its strengths are abundant rainfall (45.8″/yr) with little drought and almost no federal land or extraction.

How Essex County scores

Hazard Safety81
Freedom61
Food69
Isolation50
Sovereignty82
Water93
Affordability66
$300kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$4,252Land / acre
45.8"Annual rain
2.4% of yrsSevere drought
40 miNearest metro
41.2People / sq mi
0.8%Federal land
58.1°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Essex County, Virginia

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

Essex County is a strong bolthole (72/100). Its strengths: abundant rainfall (45.8″/yr) with little drought and almost no federal land or extraction.

How much does land cost in Essex County, Virginia?

Land in Essex County runs about $4,252 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Essex County?

Essex County gets about 45.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.4% of years.

How remote is Essex County?

The nearest major metro is about 40 miles away, and population density is 41.2 people per square mile.

How Essex compares in Virginia

See all 133 Virginia counties ranked →