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Nemaha County

KS · Pop. 10,213 · Rural County

64/100Homestead Score

Nemaha County is a rural county in Kansas, spanning 717 square miles with 10,213 residents at a density of 14.2 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $196,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.98% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F and average winter lows of 17°F. Annual rainfall averages 35.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Nemaha Valley Community Hospital is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.98%
Growing Season: 163 days
Broadband: 90.7%
Density: 14.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $196,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, corn, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • At 14.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • A 163-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.

At a glance

Nemaha County, KS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.

Homestead score
64/100
Median home price
$196k
Property tax
0.98%
Growing season
163 days (zone 6a)
Annual rainfall
35.4"
Broadband
90.7%
Nearest hospital
Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, 5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.98%
Median Household Income$77,375
Poverty Rate7.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$196K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone6a
Growing Season163 days
Annual Rainfall35.4 inches
Avg Summer High85.6°F
Avg Winter Low17°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado6/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNemaha Valley Community Hospital (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage90.7%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.7%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Nemaha County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Nemaha County?
Nemaha County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 163-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.6°F, and average winter lows of 17°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $196,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.98%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 90.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Nemaha Valley Community Hospital is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.