Hunt & Live

Piute County, UT

1,487 residents · 758 sq mi · 2.0/sq mi · 100% rural

Climate
44.2°F
17.2" rain/yr
Water
dry sub-humid
Aridity index 0.94
Hardiness
Zone 7a
Winter low ~4.7°F

About Piute County

Piute County is a county in south-central Utah, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 1,438, making it the second-least populous county in Utah. The county seat is Junction, and the largest town is Circleville.

94
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #11 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a rural lifestyle with a population density of just 2.0 people per square mile, which supports a sense of remoteness. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 44.2°F and an average of 17.2 inches of rainfall per year, allowing for a growing season suitable for hardy crops. However, being classified as dry sub-humid with an aridity index of 0.94 may limit certain agricultural practices, making water management critical for self-sufficient living.

The county faces notable natural hazards, including a high risk of landslides (FEMA rank 93) and winter weather (rank 60), which could pose challenges for residents. The general safety profile is better than average with a violence percentile of 61, indicating a relatively safe environment. However, the median household income of $33,359 suggests that economic opportunities may be limited, impacting the overall cost of living and access to resources.

This area is best suited for those who value solitude and are prepared for the challenges of rural life, particularly in managing water and agricultural practices. Homesteaders with experience in dealing with natural hazards may thrive here, while those needing robust economic opportunities or urban amenities might find it lacking. A hidden gem for potential residents is the low effective property tax rate of 0.49%, which can enhance financial sustainability.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Top 6% nationally
National prepper rank: #181 of 3,109.
#2 in UT
Top 5 counties in Utah out of 29.
Dominant hazard: landslide
FEMA ranks landslide risk at 93/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Extremely rural
Only 2.0 people per square mile — fewer than 5/sqmi places you in the bottom 5% nationally for density.
Climate profile
Classified as dry sub-humid with a 44.2°F annual mean and 17.2" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 7a.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $218,800.

Score Breakdown

Violence
14
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
1
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
4
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
0.9
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Avalanche 48
Drought 33
Earthquake 49
Hail 1
Heat Wave 9
Riverine Flood 3
Ice Storm 2
Landslide 93
Lightning 24
Strong Wind 2
Tornado 1
Volcano 25
Wildfire 59
Winter Weather 60

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
80.2°F
Winter low
14.7°F
Heating degree days
7,686
Cooling degree days
124

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$218,800
Median HH income
$33,359
Price to income
6.6×
Property tax rate
0.49%
~$1,068/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
49.5
Homeownership
91%
Poverty rate
20.9%
Unemployment
9.1%

Connectivity

Broadband households
49%
No internet access
21.4%

Explore Piute County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.