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Adams County

NE · Pop. 31,034 · Suburban County

54/100Homestead Score

Adams County sits in Nebraska across 563 square miles, home to 31,034 people at 55.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $186,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.44% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F and average winter lows of 18°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.44%
Growing Season: 174 days
Broadband: 99.4%
Density: 55.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $186,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association, with an emergency room, is just 7.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.9% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.44% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.

At a glance

Adams County, NE is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
54/100
Median home price
$186k
Property tax
1.44%
Growing season
174 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
27.1"
Broadband
99.4%
Nearest hospital
The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association, 7.6 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.44%
Median Household Income$65,680
Poverty Rate12.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$186K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season174 days
Annual Rainfall27.1 inches
Avg Summer High85.3°F
Avg Winter Low18°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought10/10
Wildfire5/10
Tornado8/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalThe Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association (7.6 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage99.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.9%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Adams County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Adams County?
Adams County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 85.3°F, and average winter lows of 18°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $186,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.44%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Adams County by distance, including across state lines.

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.