Antelope County
NE · Pop. 6,302 · Rural County
Antelope County is a rural county in Nebraska, spanning 857 square miles with 6,302 residents at a density of 7.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $117,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.22%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F and average winter lows of 12.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 27.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Antelope Memorial Hospital is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 80.5% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $117,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Antelope Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.6 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.
- At 7.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 147-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 12.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Antelope County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $117k
- Property tax
- 1.22%
- Growing season
- 147 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 27.5"
- Broadband
- 80.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Antelope Memorial Hospital, 3.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Antelope County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Antelope County?
- Antelope County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 147-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.4°F, and average winter lows of 12.1°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $117,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.22%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 80.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Antelope Memorial Hospital is 3.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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The closest counties to Antelope 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.
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