Arthur County
NE · Pop. 540 · Rural County
Arthur County, Nebraska covers 715 square miles with a population of 540 and a density of 0.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, corn, haylage. The median home price is $189,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.83%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F and average winter lows of 14.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 19.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Banner Health is 29.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.83% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $189,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 0.8 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- A 146-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 19.4 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- The nearest hospital, Banner Health, is 29.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 14.1°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Arthur County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 60/100
- Median home price
- $189k
- Property tax
- 0.83%
- Growing season
- 146 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 19.4"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Banner Health, 29.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Arthur County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Arthur County?
- Arthur County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 146-day growing season, average summer highs of 85°F, and average winter lows of 14.1°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $189,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.83%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Banner Health is 29.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Nebraska
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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.
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